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 Found a New Baby
Harry James and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Happy fellow you will see,
I've got someone nice, oh, gee!
Oh what joy, what bliss.
Just the treasure that I need,
Pure as gold and guaranteed.
Is she pretty? Yes, indeed,
Let me tell you this.
I've found a new baby, I've found a new girl,
My fashion plate baby, has got me a whirl.
Her new king o' lovin' done made me her slave,
Her sweet turtle dovin' is all that I crave.
Sweetest miss, with a kiss full o' bliss, can't resist somehow.
Tells me lies, but she's wise, naughty eyes, mesmerize I vow,
And how, I don't mean maybe!
I just had to fall,
I've found a new baby, new baby that's all.
I don't care if people think
That I am a crazy gink,
If love puts me on the blink
I'll just yell, Hey, Hey,
'cause I'm wild about my queen,
Sweetest girl I've ever seen.
She's red hot that's what I mean,
Listen while I say.
I've found a new baby, I've found a new girl,
My fashion plate baby, has got me a whirl.
Her new king o' lovin' done made me her slave,
Her sweet turtle dovin' is all that I crave.
Sweetest miss, with a kiss full o' bliss, can't resist somehow.
Tells me lies, but she's wise, naughty eyes, mesmerize I vow,
And how, I don't mean maybe!
I just had to fall,
I've found a new baby, new baby that's all.
The song "I've Found A New Baby" by Harry James and His Orchestra is a joyful celebration of the singer's new love interest. The lyrics describe his excitement and wonder at having found someone special, and how his love for her has made him feel complete. He expresses his awe at her beauty, and how he is now her devoted servant. Despite any criticisms he may receive for his enthusiasm, he proclaims his love boldly and unabashedly.
The first verse highlights the singer's joy at having found his "new baby," and how she has provided him with the happiness and fulfillment he has longed for. He describes her as "just the treasure that I need," and emphasizes the purity and reliability of her affection. The second verse goes into greater detail about his new love interest, referring to her as his "fashion plate baby" and describing how her kisses make him feel. He also acknowledges that she may not always tell him the truth, but her "naughty eyes" are enough to keep him entranced.
The repeated chorus reinforces the singer's newfound happiness, and how he has found love with his "new baby." While the lyrics may seem simple at first glance, they convey a deep sense of gratitude and excitement at having found someone to share life with.
Line by Line Meaning
Ev'rybody look at me,
Take a look at me, everyone.
Happy fellow you will see,
You'll see a happy person.
I've got someone nice, oh, gee!
I am now in a relationship with a nice person, wow!
Oh what joy, what bliss.
I'm feeling immense happiness and joy.
Just the treasure that I need,
She's the perfect person for me.
Pure as gold and guaranteed.
She's a pure and trustworthy person.
Is she pretty? Yes, indeed,
She's beautiful, absolutely.
Let me tell you this.
Listen to what I have to say.
I've found a new baby, I've found a new girl,
I've found a new love, a new partner.
My fashion plate baby, has got me a whirl.
She's stylish and fashionable and has captured my heart.
Her new king o' lovin' done made me her slave,
Her love has enslaved me.
Her sweet turtle dovin' is all that I crave.
I long for her sweet and affectionate nature.
Sweetest miss, with a kiss full o' bliss, can't resist somehow.
She's the sweetest woman, and her kisses bring utter bliss. I can't resist her in some way.
Tells me lies, but she's wise, naughty eyes, mesmerize I vow,
She may lie to me, but she's still intelligent, and her alluring eyes draw me in. I vow to be loyal to her.
And how, I don't mean maybe!
Absolutely, without a doubt!
I just had to fall,
I couldn't help but fall in love with her.
I've found a new baby, new baby that's all.
She's my new love, and that's all that matters.
I don't care if people think
I'm not bothered if others believe
That I am a crazy gink,
That I'm a bit eccentric.
If love puts me on the blink
If love makes me a bit crazy
I'll just yell, Hey, Hey,
I'll just yell out.
'cause I'm wild about my queen,
I'm crazy and deeply in love with my woman.
Sweetest girl I've ever seen.
She's the sweetest and loveliest girl I've ever met.
She's red hot, that's what I mean,
She's full of passion and love, that's what I'm trying to say.
Listen while I say.
Listen closely to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACK PALMER, SPENCER WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind