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.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Harry James and His Orchestra Lyrics
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You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
[Repeat: x2]
I ought to cross you off my list
But when you come a-knocking at my door
And I come running back for more
I should hate you, but I guess I love you
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
The devil and the deep blue sea
The lyrics to Harry James and His Orchestra's song "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" describe a situation where the singer is conflicted about their feelings toward someone. On one hand, they don't want this person in their life, but on the other hand, they are afraid to lose them. The singer recognizes that they are caught in a difficult situation, a metaphorical place between the "devil" and the "deep blue sea". The language used is very expressive – the use of "devil" implies temptation and danger, while "deep blue sea" evokes a sense of being lost in uncertainty and fear.
The second verse intensifies these feelings, with the singer acknowledging that they should move on from this person, but they find them too irresistible to resist. Even though they try to forget them, whenever they come back into their life, it's like fate is twisting their heart and forcing them to love them again. The final line is repeated, cementing the idea that the singer is stuck in this predicament and can't seem to escape.
Overall, the lyrics to "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" describe a feeling of being trapped in a difficult situation where there are no easy answers. The use of metaphor and powerful language convey the complexity of the singer's emotions and add depth to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
I have mixed feelings about our relationship. Though I don't want to be with you, I also don't want to lose you
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
You've put me in a difficult situation where I have to choose between two bad options
I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
Even though you've hurt me before, I can't stop thinking about you and I forgive you
I ought to cross you off my list
I should remove you from my life
But when you come a-knocking at my door
But when you come back into my life
Fate seems to give my heart a twist
It feels like fate is playing games with my emotions and making me feel confused
And I come running back for more
And I can't resist the urge to be with you again
I should hate you, but I guess I love you
I know I should hate you for what you've done, but I can't help loving you
The devil and the deep blue sea
A metaphor for being stuck between two dangerous situations, much like being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind