Inez James

Inez James (November 15, 1919 – December 19, 1993), also known as Inez James Walden, was an American composer working mostly in the motion picture industry. She is remembered as being one of three writers of the song "Vaya Con Dios", which has been recorded over 500 times.

Her first film credits were in 1943 as a composer for songs in Mister Big, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Moonlight in Vermont, and four others. She composed songs for 19 more movies over the years, culminating in work for 1959's Pillow Talk, starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day and 1960's Portrait in Black, starring Lana Turner and Anthony Quinn. She is credited for co-writing the title song from Pillow Talk, sung by Doris Day in the film. The film's score was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Dramatic or Comedy Score in 1959, but it is not clear how the title song related to this nomination.

With Larry Russell and Buddy Pepper, Inez James wrote "Vaya Con Dios", which was a U.S. #1 hit by Les Paul and Mary Ford in 1953.

Inez James died on December 19, 1993, in Sherman Oaks, California.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 15, 1919 (New York City), Died December 19, 1993 (Sherman Oaks)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1941 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: songwriter, composer, lyricist, vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor PBS-061942 10-in. 12/2/1941 What good would it do? Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor D5VB-0663 10-in. 10/8/1945 Come to baby, do! Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-1362 10-in. 9/29/1947 Now you've gone and hurt my southern pride Phil Harris ; Phil Harris Orchestra Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-1374 10" 10/14/1947 Ok'l baby dok'l Page Cavanaugh Trio Male vocal trio, with guitar, bass, and piano composer  
Victor D7VB-1809 10-in. 10/22/1947 That's the way he does it Page Cavanaugh Trio Male vocal trio, with guitar, bass, and piano songwriter  
Victor D7VB-2877 10-in. 12/19/1947 What do I have to do (to make you love me) Vaughn Monroe ; Moon Maids ; Vaughn Monroe's Orchestra Male vocal solo, with female vocal group and jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-2879 10-in. 12/19/1947 (It only takes) a little imagination Vaughn Monroe ; Moon Maids ; Madelyn Russell ; Vaughn Monroe's Orchestra Female-male vocal duet, with female vocal group and jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-2899 10-in. 12/19/1947 Walk it off Gordon Polk ; Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  
Decca L 3951 10-in. 9/6/1945 Come to baby do Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "James, Inez," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108161.

James, Inez. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108161.

"James, Inez." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108161

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