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.
Got No Time
Harry James and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, what's the reason I get the go by
Like to know why long time no see
Long time adore
If you're on the level why don't you tell me
Why me no see you any more
Let him go, let him go
Everyone keeps tellin' me
Guess my heart knows best
And the rest is up to you
Honestly, am I just a fool for stringin' along
Oh baby what's wrong
Long time no see
Long time no see
Baby, what's the reason I get the go by
Like to know why long time no see
Long time oh I adore
If you're on the level why don't you tell me
Why me no see you any more, more, more
Let him go, let him go, let him go, let him go
Everyone keeps tellin' me
But my heart can no agree
Ra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
You, me no see, what can it be
Maybe I'm crazy, but long time no see
Ra-ra-ra long time no see
What's the reason I get the go by
Like to know why long time no see
Me love you, you love who
Is it yes or is it no
Do I stay or do I go
I'd be in a stew if you ever said we're through
What to do
If you loved me the way that I love you
It wouldn't be, it wouldn't be
Long time no see
It could be true that I love you
I miss you so, long time no see
In the song "Got No Time", Harry James and His Orchestra describe a romantic relationship that seems to be going through a rough patch. The lyrics express confusion and longing from the singer towards their lover who has apparently been avoiding them. The first stanza questions why they have not seen each other in a long time and begs for an explanation. The singer's heart tells them to wait for their lover and not to give up, even though others advise them to move on.
The next stanza repeats the same sentiment, with the addition of the worry over the possibility of the loss of this relationship. The singer wonders if their lover is being honest with them and loves them in return, or if they should just give up and let go. The chorus is repeated twice, stating that the singer's heart knows best and that they will wait for their lover to make a decision.
Overall, the lyrics to "Got No Time" are about the uncertainty and confusion of a relationship that seems to be at a crossroads. The singer is questioning their lover's intentions and is worried about the possibility of losing them. Despite others advising them to give up, the singer's heart tells them to hold on and wait for their lover to make a decision.
Line by Line Meaning
Long time no see
It has been quite a while since we have met each other
Baby, what's the reason I get the go by
Hey dear, why do you avoid me or ignore me?
Like to know why long time no see
I'd appreciate it if you could tell me the reason behind our meeting such a long time later
Long time adore
It's been so long since I've been in love with you
If you're on the level why don't you tell me
If you are being genuine and sincere, then why don't you explain to me?
Why me no see you anymore
I don't understand why I don't get to see you anymore
Let him go, let him go
I'm being advised to let go of someone, perhaps you or someone else
Everyone keeps tellin' me
A lot of people are giving me advice
But my heart can no agree
Despite what everyone else is saying, my heart is not in agreement with them
Guess my heart knows best
Maybe my heart is the one that knows what is truly right for me
And the rest is up to you
It's your turn to make a decision
Honestly, am I just a fool for stringin' along
I want to know if I am foolishly continuing to pursue something that may not be there
Oh baby what's wrong
Oh darling, what is bothering you?
You, me no see, what can it be
Why haven't we seen each other for so long, what could be the reason behind it?
Maybe I'm crazy, but long time no see
I might be crazy for saying this, but it's true that we haven't seen each other for a long time
Me love you, you love who
I love you, but who do you love?
Is it yes or is it no
Are you interested in me or not?
Do I stay or do I go
Should I continue to pursue you or give up?
I'd be in a stew if you ever said we're through
I'd be really upset or confused if you were to end things between us
What to do
I'm not sure what actions I should take
If you loved me the way that I love you
If you had the same feelings towards me as I do towards you
It wouldn't be, it wouldn't be
Our relationship would not be in such an uncertain state
Long time no see
Once again, it has been an incredibly long time since we have seen each other
It could be true that I love you
There is a strong possibility that I am truly in love with you
I miss you so, long time no see
I really miss you and it has been such a long time since we have been able to meet up
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Pinches
an outstanding tune from an outstanding band
Dan VanLandingham
It was Beatrice Byers.I have her on one of James' early recordings on Brunswick,"Love's A Very Necessary Thing" b/w "Blame It On My Last Affair".The copy I have isn't in very good shape.I paid a dime for it about thirty years ago;I don't remember what thrift store I bought in here in North Bend,Oregon."Love's A Very Necessary Thing" was a good example of Byer's singing and it had a good James solo.
Eric Grosch
Here are the two A-sections before the bridge: Got No Time to sit and worry Got No Time. I’m in a hurry Goin’ no place, havin’ the time of my life. Got no cares, feel light and airy Love affairs are secondary. Livin’ easy, getting’ a kick out of life. Here's the last A-section, after the bridge: Tell me I’m a Punchinello. I say I’m a lucky fellow. Busy keepin’ my love in rhyme. That’s why I’ve got no time. It may be "my life in rhyme" but both metahpors seem strained for the sake of rhyme.
Lee Larson
The vocalist? It MIGHT be his first wife, Louise Tobin.
Chuck Par-Due
The vocalist would be Bernice Byers.
Eric Grosch
Who wrote Got No Time? The lyrics are not available online that I can see. I got most of the lyrics but I couldn't hear one line in the bridge: I laugh at Mr. Trouble. You’ve got the bubble. Any time he comes near. Like the bacon In my ____bakin’ I make it disappear.