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.
Tain't What You Do
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And miss it each night and day
I know I'm not wrong, the feeling's getting stronger
The longer I stay away
Miss the moss-covered vines, tall sugar pines
Where mockingbirds used to sing
I'd love to see that old lazy Mississippi
The moonlight on the bayou
A Creole tune that fills the air
I dream about magnolias in bloom
And I'm wishin' I was there
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
When that's where you left your heart
And there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans
The lyrics of Harry James' "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans" are a nostalgic ode to the city of New Orleans. The song describes the feeling of missing a place so much that it becomes a physical ache. The opening lines set the tone for the remainder of the song as the singer asks if the listener understands the sentiment of missing a place so much that it consumes your thoughts and emotions every day and night.
The following lines describe the things the singer misses about New Orleans - the moss-covered vines, tall sugar pines, mockingbirds singing, and the lazy Mississippi. These descriptions paint a vivid picture of the city and its natural beauty. The final lines of the first verse reveal that the singer's nostalgia is linked to a specific time - Spring.
The second verse continues with the theme of nostalgia, describing the moonlight on the bayou and the Creole tunes that fill the air. The singer dreams about the magnolias in bloom, wishing they were there. The final lines reveal the source of the singer's ache - a person they care for deeply who is also missing from New Orleans.
Overall, "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans" is a beautifully written song that captures the sentiment of missing a place and the people who make it feel like home. Harry James' jazz instrumental version is just as emotionally stirring as its vocal interpretations.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
Have you ever experienced the feeling of longing for the city of New Orleans?
And miss it each night and day
The feeling of missing New Orleans occurs constantly, both at night and during the day.
I know I'm not wrong, the feeling's getting stronger
I am confident that my desire to return to New Orleans is not mistaken, and my longing for it has been increasing.
The longer I stay away
The more time I spend away from New Orleans, the stronger my desire to return becomes.
Miss the moss-covered vines, tall sugar pines
I miss the scenic beauty of New Orleans, including the moss-covered vines and tall sugar pines.
Where mockingbirds used to sing
In these natural landscapes of New Orleans, mockingbirds used to sing and provide a sense of peace and comfort.
I'd love to see that old lazy Mississippi
I would love to see the Mississippi river, which flows through New Orleans, and its leisurely pace.
Hurrying into Spring
The Mississippi river is a sign of the changing seasons and I miss witnessing the start of Spring through it.
The moonlight on the bayou
The reflection of moonlight on the bayou in New Orleans is something I miss.
A Creole tune that fills the air
The unique Creole music that fills the air in New Orleans is something I long to experience again.
I dream about magnolias in bloom
I often dream about the magnolias that bloom in New Orleans, adding to the city's beauty and charm.
And I'm wishin' I was there
In addition to the frequent thoughts of New Orleans in my mind, I also have strong wishes to be physically present there.
When that's where you left your heart
For me, New Orleans is a place where I left a part of my heart and I strongly desire to regain it by returning there.
And there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for
In addition to missing New Orleans itself, I also miss someone special who is there and whom I care for deeply.
More than I miss New Orleans
My longing to be with this special person is even greater than my longing to return to New Orleans itself.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eddie De Lange, Louis Alter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bendixbauer1210
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@nearenufoldaze2375
I was born in 1935 and I remember my mother often singing this song. Those were happy days for her and our family!