He was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a traveling circus. By the age of 10 he was taking trumpet lessons from his father, who placed him on a strict daily practice schedule. Each day, James was given one page to learn from the Arban's book and was not allowed to pursue any other pastime until he had learned that particular page.
In 1931 the family settled in Beaumont, Texas, where James began playing with local dance bands.
He joined the nationally popular Ben Pollack in 1935 but at the start of 1937, left Pollack to join Benny Goodman's orchestra, where he stayed through 1938.
In February 1939 James debuted his own big band in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His hit "You Made Me Love You" was in the Top 10 during the week of December 7, 1941. He toured with the band into the 1980s.
His was the first "name band" to employ vocalist Frank Sinatra, in 1939. He wanted to change Sinatra's name to 'Frankie Satin' but Sinatra refused. His later band included drummer Buddy Rich.
He played trumpet in the 1950 film Young Man with a Horn, dubbing Kirk Douglas. James's recording of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" appears in the motion picture My Dog Skip (2000). His music is also featured in the Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters. James recorded many popular records and appeared in many Hollywood movies.
He was second only to Glenn Miller as the most successful recording artist of 1942.
James was married three times. On May 4, 1935, he married singer Louise Tobin, with whom he had two children. They divorced in 1943. That same year, he married actress Betty Grable. They had two daughters, Victoria and Jessica, before divorcing in 1965. James married a third time in 1968 to Las Vegas showgirl Joan Boyd, whom he would divorce in March 1970. Contrary to some assertions, he did not marry a fourth time. He had five children (two by Tobin, two by Grable, one by Boyd) and (as of his death) 16 grandchildren.
James owned several thoroughbred racehorses that won races such as the California Breeders' Champion Stakes (1951) and the San Vicente Stakes (1954). He was also a founding investor in the Atlantic City Race Course. His knowledge of horse racing was demonstrated during a 1958 appearance on The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour entitled "Lucy Wins A Racehorse."
In 1983, James was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, but he continued to work, playing his last professional job on June 26, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, just nine days before his death in Las Vegas, Nevada. Frank Sinatra gave the eulogy at the Bunkers Eden Vale Memorial Park in Las Vegas.
Anytime
Harry James and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anytime you're feelin' blue
Anytime you feel downhearted
That will prove your love for me is true
Anytime you're thinkin' 'bout me
That's the time I'll be thinkin' of you
So anytime you say you want me back again
That's the time I'll come back home to you
Anytime you're thinkin' 'bout me
That's the time I'll be thinkin' of you
So anytime you say you want me back again
That's the time I'll come back home to you
The lyrics of Harry James and His Orchestra's song "Anytime" portray a sense of comfort, assurance, and unconditional love. The song speaks about a person who is always available for their loved one whenever they feel lonely, blue, or downhearted. The singer requests their loved one to remember them whenever such emotions overcome them, as that will prove their love for the singer is genuine. It suggests that true love is not limited to happy moments but also includes standing by one's side during difficult times.
The lyrics further state that the singer will also think about their loved one whenever they are thinking about them. The chorus emphasizes that the singer will always come back to their loved one whenever they want them back. This aspect of the song conveys a message of forgiveness, as the loved one can request the singer to come back whenever they want, and the singer will return without any judgment or restrictions.
Overall, the lyrics of "Anytime" depict a message of love, comfort, and availability. It suggests that true love involves standing by one's side during difficult times, thinking of them constantly, and forgiving them regardless of the circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Anytime you're feelin' lonely
Whenever you feel isolated from the world
Anytime you're feelin' blue
Whenever you are feeling sad and low
Anytime you feel downhearted
Whenever you feel discouraged or disheartened
That will prove your love for me is true
These feelings will show the depth of your love for me
Anytime you're thinkin' 'bout me
Whenever you are reflecting on our relationship
That's the time I'll be thinkin' of you
At the same time, I will be thinking of you too
So anytime you say you want me back again
If you express your desire to be with me again
That's the time I'll come back home to you
I will return to you immediately after hearing this from you
Lyrics © DistroKid, Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Herbert Happy Lawson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind