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.
Memphis in June
Harry James and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A shady veranda under a Sunday blue sky
Memphis in June
And cousin Amanda's makin' a rhubarb pie
I can hear the clock inside tickin' and a-tockin'
Everything is peacefully dandy
I can see old granny cross the street, still a-rockin'
Watching the neighbors go by
With sweet oleander blowing perfume in the air
Up jumps the moon to make it that much grander
It's paradise, brother take my advice
Nothing's half as nice as Memphis in June
Memphis in June
With sweet oleander blowing perfume in the air
Up jumps the moon to make it that much grander
It's paradise, brother take my advice
Nothing's half as nice as Memphis in June
The song Memphis in June by Harry James and His Orchestra is a perfect ode to summertime and the peacefulness it brings. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a lazy Sunday in Memphis, where everything is peaceful and relaxed. The first verse talks about a shady veranda under a blue sky, where cousin Amanda is making a rhubarb pie. The sound of a ticking clock can be heard, adding to the tranquility. The verse also talks about an old granny, who is rocking while watching the neighbors go by. The second verse describes the sweet smell of oleander flowers in the air, which is blown by the wind. The moon jumps up during the night, making it more special. The chorus emphasizes the beauty of Memphis in June, and the singer advises the brother to experience it for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
A shady veranda under a Sunday blue sky
The sky is clear and blue, and the shade of the veranda provides a cool and comfortable place to relax.
And cousin Amanda's makin' a rhubarb pie
The singer's relative is baking a delicious pie made from rhubarb, adding to the pleasant atmosphere.
I can hear the clock inside tickin' and a-tockin'
The sound of the clock provides a peaceful backdrop to the scene on the veranda.
Everything is peacefully dandy
The artist is content and everything is going smoothly.
I can see old granny cross the street, still a-rockin'
The artist can see an elderly woman across the street who is sitting on her porch and swaying back and forth in her rocking chair.
Watching the neighbors go by
The singer is observing the people in the neighborhood, and everything seems pleasant and peaceful.
Memphis in June
The scene described is taking place in the city of Memphis, Tennessee during the month of June.
With sweet oleander blowing perfume in the air
The scent of the oleander flowers adds to the pleasant aroma in the air.
Up jumps the moon to make it that much grander
The appearance of the moon in the sky adds to the overall beauty of the scene.
It's paradise, brother take my advice
The artist believes that the scene they are describing is like paradise and encourages others to experience it for themselves.
Nothing's half as nice as Memphis in June
The singer believes that there is nothing that compares to the beauty and perfection of Memphis during the month of June.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER, HOAGY CARMICHAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind