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.
The Flight of the Bumble Bee
Harry James and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Buzz around, buzz around
Keep a-buzzin' 'round)
Bring home all the honey, love, to me
(Little bee, little bee, little bee)
Let me spend the happy hours
Roving with you 'mongst the flow'rs
And when we get where no one else can see
Be my little baby bumble bee
(Buzz around, buzz around
Keep a-buzzin' 'round)
We'll be just has happy as can be
(You and me, you and me, you and me)
Honey, keep a-buzzin', please
I've got a dozen cousin bees
But I want you to be my baby bumble bee
Be my little baby bumble bee
Bring home all the honey, love, to me
Let me spend the happy hours
Roving with you 'mongst the flow'rs
And when we get where no one else can see
(Cuddle up, cuddle up, cuddle up)
Be my little baby bumble bee
(Buzz around, buzz around
Keep a-buzzin' 'round)
We'll be just has happy as can be
(You and me, you and me, you and me)
Honey, keep a-buzzin', please
I've got a dozen cousin bees
But I want you to be my baby bumble bee
Buzz-buzz
The lyrics to "Fight of the Bumble Bee" by Harry James and His Orchestra depict a playful and affectionate relationship between two individuals, using the metaphor of bees and honey. The singer addresses their loved one as their "little baby bumble bee," asking them to stay close and bring home all the sweetness and love to them. The line "Let me spend the happy hours roving with you 'mongst the flow'rs" suggests a desire for shared experiences and romantic adventures.
As the song progresses, the singer emphasizes their exclusivity by saying they have other suitors ("a dozen cousin bees"), but they want their loved one to be their special partner. The repetition of the phrase "Be my little baby bumble bee" and the request to "buzz around" reflect the singer's desire to possess their loved one's attention and companionship. The song concludes with the reassurance that if they stay together, they will be as happy as can be.
Overall, the lyrics convey a whimsical and lighthearted romantic affection, comparing the relationship to the buzzing and sweetness of bees. It depicts a desire for exclusivity and a promise of happiness when two people come together.
Line by Line Meaning
Be my little baby bumble bee
Join me in a delightful partnership and bring sweetness and joy into my life
Buzz around, buzz around
Keep a-buzzin' 'round
Stay active and lively, continuously moving in a vibrant and energetic manner
Bring home all the honey, love, to me
Return with all the affection and sweetness in your heart, showering it upon me
Little bee, little bee, little bee
Expressing endearment and admiration for the small and industrious creature you represent
Let me spend the happy hours
Roving with you 'mongst the flow'rs
Allow me to cherish joyful moments, exploring and experiencing the beauty of life's pleasures with you
And when we get where no one else can see
Cuddle up, cuddle up, cuddle up
In intimate secrecy, embrace and snuggle closely, sharing warmth and affection away from prying eyes
We'll be just has happy as can be
You and me, you and me, you and me
Together, we will find utmost happiness and contentment, forming an unbreakable bond
Honey, keep a-buzzin', please
I've got a dozen cousin bees
Sweetheart, maintain your enthusiastic nature, for although there are many others vying for my attention, I desire your companionship
But I want you to be my baby bumble bee
Nonetheless, it is you I long for as my dearest and most cherished partner
Buzz-buzz
Buzzing sound, emphasizing the vibrant energy and charm of the bumble bee
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Greenlee, Kenny Neal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheSproutarian
He is the only player l have heard who can make the piece actually sound like a bumblebee. Very clever.
@Gr8nessnMe070
This sounds horrible. 🤨
@hensonsf2701
@Gr8nessnMe070 Lol. No, it doesn’t.
@ahsangaming7367
Me 1st time search and see its so interesting
@albertarbelo
Search Rafael Mendez Bumblebee. And yes this does sound horrible. There is no technique. Yes, he has played it enough to memorize the insane amount of notes but so have plenty of others. At most, he's holding a beautiful tone and moving his fingers extremely fast. But the piece losses it's essence at that tempo.
@RosaPerez-uk9fx
Rafeal mendez check his out way cleaner and smooth this one is pretty loud bright and sloppy
@trallfraz
I've played professional trpt since I was in 9th grade (1968) and I've NEVER heard anything played this fast and accurate on a trpt. I got to hear Harry LIVE twice and he literally blew the roof off the bandstand each time.
@FalandoDeFlauta
Search for Ruben Simeo and Allen Vizutti.
@richardsalvucci3472
James was the quintessential power player. To which he added immaculate technique. I doubt there's ever been anyone else who could duplicate him, plus a sound that cut cut through anything. No surprise so many players worshipped him. He was without perr
@error.418
He was good, but he had plenty of peers.