Henry Haag “Harry” James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American mu… Read Full Bio ↴Henry Haag “Harry” James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American musician and bandleader. James was an instrumentalist of the swing era, employing a bravura playing style that made his trumpet work identifiable. He was one of the most popular bandleaders of the first half of the 1940s, and he continued to lead his band until just before his death, 40 years later.

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.

I'm Beginning to See the Light
Harry James and His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I never cared much for moonlit skies
I never wink back at fireflies
But now that the stars are in your eyes
I'm beginning to see the light

I never went in for afterglow
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low

I'm beginning to see the light

Used to ramble through the park
Shadowboxing in the dark
Then you came and caused a spark
That's a four-alarm fire now

I never made love by lantern-shine
I never saw rainbows in my wine

But now that your lips are burning mine
I'm beginning to see the light

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" by Harry James are a love song that describe how the singer's perspective on love and life has changed after falling for someone. The opening lines, "I never cared much for moonlit skies, I never wink back at fireflies" indicate that the singer has never been a romantic or someone who savors small, sentimental moments. However, when the stars are reflected in the eyes of his beloved, he begins to understand the beauty and wonder of everything romantic he used to ignore. He is not only beginning to see the light in the sense of the beauty of the physical world around him, but he has embarked on a journey to discover the joy and meaning of being with someone who makes his soul rejoice.

In the second stanza, we learn that he has never been a fan of afterglow or candlelight, and it seems he is a person who is content to live in the light of day. However, when he shares intimate moments with his partner and she lowers the lights, he is able to absorb the passion and love flooding over him. He has to adjust to being vulnerable and open to love, but as this happens, he is happy to let go of the inhibitions of his past.

The third and final stanza reflects how the singer is now open to the new adventure of love. He was once a man who was content to wander in the park alone, but now he has a partner he cherishes. She ignites passion in him, and he is heartened to know that he can feel such love. The final lines describe that he has begun to see the light in the sense that he can now enjoy and appreciate the simple pleasures of life, like a rainbow in his wine or love by lantern light, as long as he has someone to share them with.

Line by Line Meaning

I never cared much for moonlit skies
I was never interested in the beauty of nature or the sky.

I never wink back at fireflies
I never saw the magic in small things like fireflies.

But now that the stars are in your eyes
Now that I see the stars reflected in my lover's eyes, I see a new beauty.

I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand and appreciate what was once unknown to me.

I never went in for afterglow
I never enjoyed the subtle light after the sun sets.

Or candlelight on the mistletoe
I didn't feel the romance and intimacy that candlelight on the mistletoe can provide.

But now when you turn the lamp down low
Now, when my lover dims the light, I feel more open to intimacy.

I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand and appreciate what was once unknown to me.

Used to ramble through the park
I used to walk aimlessly in the park without purpose.

Shadowboxing in the dark
I was alone and pensive, with no one to love or share my feelings.

Then you came and caused a spark
When my lover arrived, they lit up my world with love and passion.

That's a four-alarm fire now
Our love is so intense that it feels like a blazing fire that's difficult to control.

I never made love by lantern-shine
I never experienced the romance of making love in soft lighting.

I never saw rainbows in my wine
I never felt the subtle joy and beauty in life's small moments.

But now that your lips are burning mine
Now, with my lover's intense passion, I feel a new appreciation and understanding of love.

I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand and appreciate what was once unknown to me.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Kennedy Ellington, Don George, Harry James, Johnny Hodges

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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