Constance Foore "Connee" Boswe… Read Full Bio ↴From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Constance Foore "Connee" Boswell (December 3, 1907 - October 11, 1976) was an American female vocalist born in Kansas City, Missouri but raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. With her sisters, Martha and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell, she performed in the 1930s as The Boswell Sisters and became a highly influential singing group during this period via recordings and radio. Connee herself is widely considered one of the greatest jazz female vocalists and was a major influence on Ella Fitzgerald who said, "My mother brought home one of her records, and I fell in love with it....I tried so hard to sound just like her."[1]
In 1936, Connee's sisters retired and Connee continued on as a solo artist (having also recorded solos during her years with the group).
The Boswells came to be well known locally while still in their early teens, making appearances in New Orleans theaters and radio. They made their first recordings for Victor Records in 1925, which included "Cryin' Blues" where Connee is featured singing in the style of her early influence, the African American singer Mamie Smith. The Boswell Sisters became stage professionals that year when they were tapped to fill in for an act at New Orleans' Orpheum Theatre. They received an invitation to come to Chicago and perform in 1928 and honed their act on the Western Vaudeville Circuit. When their tour ended they traveled to San Francisco. The hotel that had been recommended had a less than savory reputation, and the man at the desk suggested that these three young ladies might be better off in another hotel. That man, Harry Leedy, would later become their manager on a handshake and become a permanent part of Connee's life.
The Boswell Sisters travelled to Los Angeles where they performed on local radio and "side-miked" for the soundies, including the 1930 production "Under Montana Skies." did not attain national attention, however, until they moved to New York City in 1930 and started making national radio broadcasts. After a few recordings with Okeh Records, they made numerous recordings for Brunswick Records from 1931-1935. In 1935, the sisters had a #1 hit with "The Object of My Affection", the biggest of twenty top 20 records they would enjoy.
In 1936, the group signed to Decca Records and after just three releases called it quits (the last recording was February 12, 1936). Connee Boswell continued to have a successful solo career as a singer for Decca.
All through her career with The Boswell Sisters, and well into the 1940s, her name was spelt "Connie". She later changed the spelling to Connee, reputedly because it made it easier to sign autographs.
Connee Boswell was also an arranger (the legendary Boswell Sisters harmony arrangements are hers) and a composer.
Connee sang from a wheelchair - or seated position - during her entire career, due to either a childhood bout with polio or a childhood accident (sources differ). The general public was not aware of her condition although Boswell herself did not keep this secret. During World War II, she tried to get involved with the U.S.O. tours but was not given permission to travel overseas. The "powers that be" apparently thought it might not be a morale-booster to have a "cripple" perform for the troops.
Connee Boswell was a favorite duet partner of Bing Crosby and they frequently sang together on radio as well as recording several hit records as a duo in the 1930s and 1940's. Boswell, Crosby, and Eddie Cantor recorded a version of Alexander's Ragtime Band that was a #1 hit in 1938.In 1939, Crosby and Boswell had three hit duet records that each climbed into the top 12 on Billboard; "An Apple For The Teacher" climbed all the way to #2.
Connee Boswell also had several dozen solo hits, including "Moonlight Moon" in 1942. Boswell's career slackened in the 1950s but she still recorded occasionally and would be featured on a number of television broadcasts including a regular stint on the 1959 series "Pete Kelly's Blues".
Connee Boswell died at age 68 in 1976. A number of her recordings are now available on CD, both as a soloist and part of the Boswell Sisters.
Afraid to Dream
Connee Boswell Lyrics
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Here we are, bidding the stardust adieu
Soon you'll be lost in the glory of dreams
Yet, my lovely one, strange as it seems
I'm afraid to dream
Afraid that you may not be there
Afraid to dream without you it would seem so bare
Just as I reach for you why do you disappear?
Afraid to dream
I'll see you there with someone new
Afraid to find another one caressing you
Although you promised me that this could never be
It's the thought of losing you that makes me so
Afraid to dream
I'm afraid to dream
Afraid that you may not be there
Afraid to dream without you it would seem so bare
With open arms I call to you, I want you, dear
Just as I reach for you why do you disappear?
Afraid to dream
I'll see you there with someone new
Afraid to find another one caressing you
Although you promised me that this could never be
It's the thought of losing you that makes me so
The lyrics to Connee Boswell’s song “Afraid to Dream” describe a couple at night, possibly under the stars, saying goodbye for the evening. The woman in the couple is afraid to dream of a future without her partner because he may not be there. She fears losing him to someone else and it is the thought of losing him that makes her “Afraid to Dream.”
The opening line of the lyrics, “Here we are, two silhouettes in the blue,” sets the mood for the entire song. The word “silhouettes” suggests that the couple is in the shadows, possibly under a starry sky with only their outlines visible. The color “blue” further cements the idea that it is nighttime, and perhaps the couple is having a moment of intimacy before saying goodbye until the next time they see each other.
Throughout the song, the woman expresses her fear of losing her partner. She is so afraid to dream of the future because the fear of him not being there crushes her. She calls out to him with open arms, but just as she reaches out, he disappears, leaving her alone in the dark. The lyrics, “I’ll see you there with someone new, afraid to find another one caressing you,” suggest that this fear of losing her partner is rooted in the fact that he may leave her for someone else.
Overall, the song has a haunting quality to it, with the lyrics painting a picture of a vulnerable and scared woman. The fear of losing someone is a universal fear, and this song captures it beautifully.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are, two silhouettes in the blue
We are standing together as two shadowy figures in the blue light of the night sky.
Here we are, bidding the stardust adieu
We are saying goodbye to the magical feeling of being under the stars.
Soon you'll be lost in the glory of dreams
You will soon be caught up in the wonderful world of your dreams.
Yet, my lovely one, strange as it seems
However, my love, it may seem strange to you.
I'm afraid to dream
I am scared to dream.
Afraid that you may not be there
I fear that you may not be present in my dream.
Afraid to dream without you it would seem so bare
The thought of dreaming without you makes it seem empty and lonely.
With open arms I call to you, I want you, dear
I beckon you with open arms, expressing my desire to have you near.
Just as I reach for you why do you disappear?
As I try to grasp you in my dream, why do you suddenly vanish?
Afraid to dream
I am fearful of experiencing a dream.
I'll see you there with someone new
I will envision you in my dream with someone else.
Afraid to find another one caressing you
I am scared to see someone else touching you intimately in my dream.
Although you promised me that this could never be
Even though you assured me that this would never happen.
It's the thought of losing you that makes me so afraid to dream
The fear of losing you is what deters me from wanting to dream.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind