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.
Ruby
Harry James Lyrics
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Not always what you seem
And though my heart may break when I awake
Let it be so
I only know, Ruby, it's you
They say, Ruby you're like a song
You don't know right from wrong
But from the start, who stole my heart?
Ruby, it's you
I hear your voice and I must come to you
I have no choice what else can I do?
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
Into my life you came
And though I should beware
Still I don't care you thrill me so
The song "Ruby" by Harry James is a romantic melody that tells the story of a woman named Ruby who is described as being like a dream and a song. The singer acknowledges that Ruby may not always be what she seems, but he cannot help the way he feels about her. He mentions that he hears her voice and is drawn to her, even though he may not have a choice in the matter.
The lyrics suggest that Ruby is perhaps not trustworthy, but the singer cannot help being drawn to her anyway. This sense of ambiguity is further underscored in the imagery of Ruby being compared to a dream, a song, and a flame. All of these things are beautiful and captivating, but can quickly dissipate or become dangerous if not handled with care. The idea of Ruby being a "flame" is also suggestive of passion, which is a powerful and sometimes overwhelming emotion that can be difficult to control.
Line by Line Meaning
They say, Ruby you're like a dream
People often say that you, Ruby, possess a dreamlike quality.
Not always what you seem
You are not always what you appear to be.
And though my heart may break when I awake
And though it may hurt when I realize you are not what I dreamed of, I still want you.
Let it be so
I accept the pain that may come with loving you.
I only know, Ruby, it's you
Regardless of the risks, there's no one else I want but you, Ruby.
They say, Ruby you're like a song
People also say you, Ruby, are like a song.
You don't know right from wrong
You do not always make the right decisions.
And in your eyes I see heart aches for me
When I look into your eyes I can see your pain for me.
But from the start, who stole my heart?
But from the beginning, who captured my heart?
Ruby, it's you
It's you, Ruby.
I hear your voice and I must come to you
Hearing your voice draws me to you.
I have no choice what else can I do?
I am unable to resist the pull of your voice.
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
People also describe you, Ruby, as a flame.
Into my life you came
You entered my life.
And though I should beware
Even though I should proceed cautiously.
Still I don't care you thrill me so
I cannot help but be excited by you and do not care about the risks involved.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HEINZ ROEMHELD, MITCHELL PARISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jan Procházka
on All or Nothing at All
trumpet boogie