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.
By the Sleepy Lagoon
Harry James and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A sleepy lagoon and two hearts in tune in some lullaby land
The fireflies' gleam reflects in the stream
They sparkle and shimmer
A star from on high falls out of the sky
And slowly grows dimmer
The leaves from the trees all dance in the breeze
And float on the ripples
Of roses and dew
The memory of this moment of love
Will haunt me forever
A tropical moon, a sleepy lagoon
And you
The opening lines of Harry James's song Sleepy Lagoon evoke a sense of romantic escapism as they describe a serene tropical setting with a sleepy lagoon and a tropical moon. The song's narrator and their lover are the only ones on the island, isolated from the rest of the bustling world. As they bask in the perfect surroundings, the fireflies' gleam reflects in the stream and the leaves from the trees dance in the breeze and float on the ripples. They are surrounded by nature's beauty, which allows them to indulge in one another without distractions or interruptions.
As the night progresses, a star falls from the sky and slowly grows dimmer. It is an eerie reminder of how fleeting the moment of love they are experiencing is. Enchanted by the spell, they listen to the nightingales singing of roses and dew, a moment that the song's narrator will cherish forever. In this song, James emphasizes the power of nature in creating the perfect stage for an intimate moment of love.
Overall, Sleepy Lagoon is a beautiful and romantic song that transports the listener to an idyllic and tranquil world, making them feel the love and passion of the song's narrator.
Line by Line Meaning
A sleepy lagoon, a tropical moon and two on an island
Two people are on a secluded island with a serene lagoon under a beautiful, tropical moon.
A sleepy lagoon and two hearts in tune in some lullaby land
The peaceful and calming atmosphere of the lagoon puts the two hearts in sync and creates a dream-like state.
The fireflies' gleam reflects in the stream
The fireflies' light bounces off the calm water and creates a beautiful reflection.
They sparkle and shimmer
The fireflies shine brightly and move gracefully on the water's surface.
A star from on high falls out of the sky
A shooting star falls from the sky above.
And slowly grows dimmer
The shooting star gradually fades away into the night sky.
The leaves from the trees all dance in the breeze
The wind causes the leaves on the trees to sway and move rhythmically.
And float on the ripples
The leaves float on the water's gentle ripples.
We're deep in a spell as nightingales tell
The nightingales singing creates a trance-like state of magic and wonder.
Of roses and dew
The nightingales sing of the beauty of roses and the refreshing sensation of dew.
The memory of this moment of love
This moment on the island, shared with a loved one, will be forever etched in memory.
Will haunt me forever
The memory of this moment will always be with the singer, even as time passes.
A tropical moon, a sleepy lagoon
The scenery on this island is serene and tranquil under the beautiful tropical moonlight.
And you
The singer is with someone special who is making this moment on the sleepy lagoon even more enchanting.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: ERIC COATES, JACK LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ronaldstrange8981
Loved this when I was a young lad. Now, aged 87, I still do. Thank you Harry for giving me something wonderful in my life. July, 2023.
@coldenhonner148
Danced to this song with my girl in her college dorm, beautiful song and wonderful night.
@melaniec.7283
Hey I know you commented this like a year ago but that’s so beautiful omg🥺
@coldenhonner148
@@melaniec.7283 it was a fun time 😊
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@TheNan5623
I still remember my folks dancing to this in the kitchen!! I miss them!
@jackjohnhameld6401
Beautiful memory, your mother and father dancing in the kitchen. To a beautiful melody and wonderful arrangement by a great band !
@Robertashimself
😢