Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was a popular United State… Read Full Bio ↴Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was a popular United States musician and band leader, and a well known trumpet virtuoso.

Harry James was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a traveling circus. By age 10 he was taking trumpet lessons from his father. His father had him on a very strict practicing schedule every day. He was given one page to learn out of the Arban's book (a trumpet drill book) every day and could not do anything until he learned that page.

In 1931 the family settled in Beaumont, Texas and James began playing with local dance bands. James joined the nationally popular Ben Pollack in 1935. At the start of 1937 he left Pollack to join Benny Goodman's orchestra, where he stayed through 1938.

In February of 1939 Harry James debuted his own big band in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He continued touring with the band into the 1980s. His was the first "name band" to employ vocalist Frank Sinatra, in 1939. In 1943 he married actress Betty Grable.
His first wife was ex B.Goodman singer.,Louise Tobin.

You can hear his trumpet playing in the 1950 film Young Man with a Horn, dubbing Kirk Douglas. His recording of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" appears in the motion picture My Dog Skip (2000). James recorded many popular records and appeared in many Hollywood movies.

In 1983, James was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, but he continued to work, playing his last professional job on 26 June 1983 in Los Angeles just nine days before his death in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Over the Rainbow
Harry James Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Overall Meaning

In the song "Over the Rainbow," the lyrics capture the desire for a better world, a place where dreams come true and troubles fade away. The imagery of a rainbow represents hope and the promise of a brighter future. It serves as a metaphorical bridge between the current reality and an idealized paradise, offering solace and escapism from life's challenges.

The opening lines, "Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high," immediately transport the listener to a utopian land. This magical place is introduced as something that the singer has only heard of in a lullaby, evoking a sense of enchantment and wonder. The mention of a lullaby suggests that this place exists in the realm of dreams and imagination, showcasing the power music has to transport us to different realms of existence.

The lyric "And the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true" encapsulates the theme of hope. It emphasizes the importance of daring to dream and believing in the possibility of those dreams becoming a reality. This line conveys the message that aspirations are not simply fantasies, but rather can manifest into something tangible if one has the courage to pursue them.

The second verse introduces the idea of making a wish upon a star. It implies a desire for a fresh start and a yearning to leave behind the troubles and hardships of the present. The imagery of clouds melting like lemon drops and the singer waking up where troubles are far behind conjure a sense of liberation and relief. This dream-like vision symbolizes the shedding of burdens and the embracing of a carefree existence.

The recurring question, "Why, oh why can't I?" signifies a longing to be able to experience the same freedom and happiness as the bluebirds that fly over the rainbow. The bluebirds serve as a representation of innate happiness and unburdened existence. The lyrics inquire about why the singer cannot achieve the same level of contentment, subtly highlighting the realities and limitations that prevent them from reaching their desired destination.

Overall, "Over the Rainbow" encapsulates the universal yearning for a better world, a place where dreams come true and troubles are left behind. Through vibrant imagery and a poignant melody, the song invites listeners to hold onto hope and continue reaching for their aspirations, even when faced with adversity. It reminds us of the power of dreams and the importance of believing in the possibility of a brighter future.

Line by Line Meaning

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
In a place beyond our reach, far above us

There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
There is a mythical land that I have only heard of in a soothing song

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
In that far-off place, the skies are vibrant blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true.
And the aspirations that you have the courage to hold, they truly become your reality

Someday I'll wish upon a star
One day, I will make a wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
And when I wake up, I will find myself far away from any worries

Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
In that place, all my troubles dissolve like drops of lemonade

High above the chimney tops,
Up in the sky, soaring above the rooftops

That's where you'll find me.
That is where I will be located

Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
In that distant place beyond, birds of blue soar

Birds fly over the rainbow
Birds gracefully navigate across the expansive rainbow

Why then, oh why can't I?
So why, oh why, can't I join them?

If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
If those joyful bluebirds can go beyond the rainbow

Why, oh why can't I?
Then, why, oh why, can't I do the same?

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
Once again, beyond our reach, high in the sky

There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
There is, once more, that same mythical land I have heard of in a calming song

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
In that unreachable place, the skies are still in that vivid shade of blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true.
And the dreams that you dare to believe in, they truly become your reality

Someday I'll wish upon a star
One day, I will express my deepest desires to a shining star