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.
Begin The Beguine
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It brings back the sound of music so tender,
It brings back a night of tropical splendor,
It brings back a memory evergreen.
I'm with you once more under the stars,
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
To live it again is past all endeavor,
Except when that tune clutches my heart,
And there we are, swearing to love forever,
And promising never, never to part.
What moments divine, what rapture serene,
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted,
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted,
I know but too well what they mean;
So don't let them begin the beguine
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember;
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
When they begin the beguine.
Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play
Till the stars that were there before return above you,
Till you whisper to me once more,
"Darling, I love you!"
And we suddenly know, what heaven we're in,
When they begin the beguine
In Connee Boswell's song "Begin the Beguine," she describes the impact that the beginning notes of a particular song have on her. As soon as the orchestra begins to play, the memories of past love experiences come flooding back to her. The sound of the music is so romantic, so tender, that it transports her to a time of tropical romance, where she and her lover are together beneath the stars on the shore. The sway of the palms seems to move with the music, as if nature itself is responding to the beauty of the melody. This song represents a sacred moment in time, where she remembers the love they once shared, the way they swore to love each other forever, and can still feel the warmth of that experience in her heart.
But the memory is bittersweet. She is taken back to a time of pure joy, but that joy is always clouded by the sadness of what came after. The memory of what was once is hot with regret, and she knows that the opportunity to re-live that moment has passed. So she pleads with the orchestra not to play the song, not to awaken memories that will lead to heartache; but also, with a change of heart, she begs them to play on so that once again she might be transported to that blissful time. The song represents the good and the bad that comes with love, how it is an experience that can never be recaptured, but the memories will stay with us forever.
Line by Line Meaning
When they begin the beguine
The start of the song brings back memories of music, a night full of excitement, and a precious memory.
It brings back the sound of music so tender,
The song is so gentle that it brings back all the emotions and memories associated with it.
It brings back a night of tropical splendor,
The song reminds of an unforgettable night that was filled with joy and excitement.
It brings back a memory evergreen.
The song is so memorable that it remains fresh in one's memory.
I'm with you once more under the stars,
The song takes the artist to a special moment when they were under the starry sky with someone special.
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
The singer hears an orchestra playing nearby while they are on the shore with their loved one.
And even the palms seem to be swaying
The trees's leaves appear to gently sway in tune with the music played.
When they begin the beguine.
The song fills the air, transporting the artist and their loved one to another place and time.
To live it again is past all endeavor,
Recreating such magical moments is impossible.
Except when that tune clutches my heart,
The only way to relive those moments is through the song that touches the soul.
And there we are, swearing to love forever,
Hearing the song brings back memories of two people promising to love each other for eternity.
And promising never, never to part.
Their love was so strong that they vow never to be separated.
What moments divine, what rapture serene,
The experience was nothing short of heavenly and enthralling.
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted,
The happy times were scattered when challenges came in the way.
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted,
People regret missing an opportunity like theirs.
I know but too well what they mean;
The artist understands their pain of losing a great love.
So don't let them begin the beguine
The artist wishes to avoid others finding the same love they lost and shares this regret with us.
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember;
The singer wishes that others should hold on to their love and make it everlasting.
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
The singer wishes others would remember the sweetness of their love, even if it can't be rekindled.
When they begin the beguine.
The song brings back all the memories of their great love.
Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play
Despite the heartache, the artist wishes others to hear the song and experience it's magic.
Till the stars that were there before return above you,
The artist wishes that others will relive their romantic and happy moments.
Till you whisper to me once more, "Darling, I love you!"
The singer wants others to say the words of love that brings joy and happiness.
And we suddenly know, what heaven we're in
When in love, it feels like heaven, and that's where everyone wants to be at that moment.
When they begin the beguine.
The song has the power to create all these emotions and memories associated with love.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind