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.
An Apple For The Teacher
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I'm naive
Well, let's play the game that way
Yes, that's what I believe
An apple for the teacher
That seems the thing to do
Because I want a learn
An apple for the teacher
Just to show that I'm meek and mild
If you insist on saying
That I'm just a problem child
You're gonna get all my attention
And your wish will be my rule
And maybe you'll be good to me
Just keep me after school
An apple for the teacher
That's how I'd better start
Then after awhile you may give in
And let me bring my heart
An apple for the teacher
That seems the thing to do
Because I wanta to learn
About romance from you
An apple for the teacher
To show I'm meek and mild
If you insist on saying
That I'm just a problem child
You'll get all my attention
Your wish will be my rule
And maybe you'll be good to me
And keep me after school
An apple for the teacher
That's how I'd better start
Then after while you may give in
And let me bring my heart
An apple for the teacher
S'always gonna do the trick
Not if you didn't study
Your arithmetic
I got an apple for the teacher
Gonna make a great success
Well it won't, if you didn't memorise
The Gettysburg address
I got a little bit of glamour
And a charm that's cute and quaint
I may excuse your grammar
And believe you're what you ain't
I got an apple, big red apple for the teacher
That's how I'm fixin' to start
Then after awhile I may give in
And let you bring your heart
Then after awhile she may give in
And let you bring your heart
The song “An Apple For The Teacher” sung by Connee Boswell and Bing Crosby is a playful tune that seems to be about an innocent schoolboy who is trying to win the affections of his teacher. The lyrics suggest that the boy is naive while the teacher is sophisticated, and he wants to learn about romance from her. The boy promises to bring an apple for the teacher, which seems to be the traditional gesture of respect towards one's teacher. The singer confesses that he is a problem child, but he promises to pay attention to the teacher's wishes and keep them as his sole rule. In return, he hopes that the teacher will be good to him and keep him after school.
The lyrics seem to be teasing at the idea of an innocent schoolboy crushing on his attractive teacher. The apple seems to symbolize not just a traditional gesture of appreciation, but also the gift of knowledge that the teacher imparts upon the students. The teacher is depicted as being sophisticated and all-knowing, while the boy is naive and inexperienced. By the end of the song, the boy hopes that he can win the teacher's heart, and she may give in and let him express his feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
You're sophisticated
You seem to be experienced and knowledgeable
I think I'm naive
I feel like I lack experience and knowledge
Well, let's play the game that way
Let's pretend that you're the teacher and I'm the student
Yes, that's what I believe
I am convinced that this is a good way to learn
An apple for the teacher
A gift to show respect and gratitude
That seems the thing to do
It is a common tradition to give apples to teachers
Because I want a learn
I am eager to gain knowledge and experience
About romance from you
I am hoping to learn about romance from you, the sophisticated teacher
Just to show that I'm meek and mild
I want to appear humble and submissive
If you insist on saying
If you believe and tell others
That I'm just a problem child
That I am a difficult student to teach
You're gonna get all my attention
I will focus all my energy on learning from you
And your wish will be my rule
I will do whatever you ask of me
And maybe you'll be good to me
Perhaps you will treat me kindly
Just keep me after school
Give me extra time to learn from you
That's how I'd better start
Giving an apple is a good way to begin
Then after awhile you may give in
Eventually you may agree to teach me about romance
And let me bring my heart
And allow me to express my feelings for you
S'always gonna do the trick
It will always be effective
Not if you didn't study
It won't work if you haven't prepared properly
Your arithmetic
Your math skills
Gonna make a great success
I will achieve great things with your guidance
Well it won't, if you didn't memorise
It won't work if you haven't memorized
The Gettysburg address
A famous speech by Abraham Lincoln
I got a little bit of glamour
I have some charm and attractiveness
And a charm that's cute and quaint
And a delightful and old-fashioned charm
I may excuse your grammar
I may overlook your mistakes in grammar
And believe you're what you ain't
And think of you as something you're not
I got an apple, big red apple for the teacher
I am giving you a big and impressive apple as a gift
Then after awhile I may give in
I might eventually agree to reveal my true feelings
And let you bring your heart
And allow you to express your feelings for me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY BURKE, JAMES V. MONACO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ToahNur
Wonderful ❤ Thank you very much 😊
@davidcarson4421
I remember dance hall posters for his band. I think he performed mostly in the middle west.
@thomassmith5400
An apple for the teacher
That seems the thing to do
Because i want to learn
About romance from you.
An apple for the teacher
Just to show that i'm meek and mild,
If you insist on saying
That i'm just a problem child.
You'll get all my attention,
Your wish will be my rule;
And maybe you'll be good to me
Just keep me after school
An apple for the teacher
That's how i'd better start,
The after while you may give in
And let me bring my heart
An apple for the teacher
Will always do the trick,
When you don't know
Your lesson in arithmetic
An apple for the teacher
Will meet with great success
If you forgot to memorize
The gettysburg address
A little bit of glamour
A charm that's cute and quaint;
And he'll excuse your grammar
And believe you're what you ain't.
You may be just a lemon
But he'll think you're a peach
Just bring an apple for the teacher
When he starts to teach
@Bishbud
When he gets a "banana" for the teacher she might start to worry
@andrewc.2952
I just love those Boswell girls. And how!
@radiodurans
Absolutely filthy lyrics, can't believe this is same generation that made the Hays code.
@Andrei2529
Инна вальтер
@Vryheid
Awalter