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.
September Song
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn't got time for the waiting game
Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
September, November
And these few precious days I'll spend with you
The song 'September Song' by Harry James is a poignant ballad that reflects on the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing the precious moments we have with loved ones. The opening lyrics, "Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December, but the days grow short when you reach September" set the tone for the song's nostalgic and melancholic mood. The singer reflects on how time seems to pass so quickly, and how the coming of autumn, with its colorful leaves and cool weather, serves as a reminder of the transience of life.
One of the most poignant lines in the song is "One hasn't got time for the waiting game," which suggests that life is too short to wait around for things to happen. Instead, we must seize the moment and make the most of the time we have. The chorus reinforces this message, with the singer vowing to spend the precious few days he has left with his loved one. Overall, 'September Song' serves as a reminder to appreciate the beauty of the present moment, as time waits for no one.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
It seems like ages between spring and winter
But the days grow short when you reach September
However, time seems to speed up when September arrives
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
With the arrival of autumn, the leaves on trees change color and turn into bright shades of red and orange
One hasn't got time for the waiting game
One does not have the patience to wait around for things to happen
Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
As the year revolves, there are only a few days of the year that are truly special
September, November
These special days happen to be in September and November
And these few precious days I'll spend with you
I plan to spend these special days with you, my beloved
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kurt Weill, Maxwell Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kirk Barkley
Easily the best instrumental version ever - Ray Conniff's arrangement is super!
Trombonology Erstwhile
In addition to this masterful and very stylized chart, whose drama builds gradually from the opening figure stated by the reeds, Ray Conniff wrote another, entirely different, treatment of "September Song" for the Shaw band in '45. Both Harry's impassioned solo and the band's performance in total are magnificent here, but I have to say, I love Ray's arrangement for the Shaw band even more -- to me, it's roughly three minutes of musique noire , the sonic equivalent of the film noir movement that was blossoming in the same period!
Swingman 56
It takes a lot for me to enjoy another leader's rendition of a tune over Harry's, and I agree with you on this. Artie's "September Song",is the best out there.
Trombonology Erstwhile
@Swingman 56 One thing I really love about the Swing Era is that one time it's, say, the James band's arrangement that you like best and the next time it's Shaw's ... or whoever's. There were so many great bands going then and each had something unique to offer.
londonchops67
Beautiful arrangement
Gabriel N.
Greatest version of a great song! This is a classic treasure!
Buddyroe Ginocchio
Conniff's strains are clearly evident. Thanks for the highlight.
Jim Hilliker
Oh wow! I did not know that about Ray Conniff. They do sound similar. A cool record to this former clarinet player in high school. Thanks.
Kirk Barkley
For some weird reason I cannot fathom, I visualize hearing this in a sophisticated bookstore playing softly on their speakers - in the late forties...(!)
Swingman 56
I just got a quite pleasant visual from your description!