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.
Cheek To Cheek
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek
Heaven, I'm in heaven
And the cares that hung around me through the week
Seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak
When we're out together dancing (swinging) cheek to cheek
And reach the highest peak
But it doesn't thrill (boot) me half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek
Oh I love to go out fishing
In a river or a creek
But I don't enjoy it half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek
(Come on and) Dance with me
I want my arm(s) about you
That (Those) charm(s) about you
Will carry me through
(Right up) To heaven, I'm in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we're out together dancing, out together dancing (swinging)
Out together dancing cheek to cheek
In Connee Boswell's "Cheek to Cheek," the singer describes how dancing with her partner makes her feel like she is in heaven. The first verse describes the intensity of her feelings, saying that her heart beats so strongly that she can hardly speak. When she and her partner dance together, she finds the happiness she has been seeking. The second verse continues this theme, describing how any cares or worries that she has had during the week seem to vanish when she is with her partner. She compares this feeling to a gambler's lucky streak.
The third verse provides a contrast, saying that while she loves other activities like climbing mountains or fishing, they do not thrill her as much as dancing cheek to cheek with her partner. The final verse, and repeated refrain, invites her partner to dance with her, saying that she wants his arms around her, carrying her to heaven.
The song is a celebration of the joy and transcendence that can come from dancing with someone you love. The use of the phrase "cheek to cheek" emphasizes the intimacy and closeness of the dancing partners.
Line by Line Meaning
Heaven, I'm in heaven
I'm experiencing a state of pure bliss
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
I'm so overwhelmed with joy that it's hard to express myself
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
In this moment, I feel like I've found what I've been looking for
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek
Dancing closely with you brings me immense pleasure
And the cares that hung around me through the week
All of my worries and problems from the week seem to disappear
Seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak
My worries disappear as easily as a gambler's sudden winning streak
Oh I love to climb a mountain
I enjoy outdoor activities like mountain climbing
And reach the highest peak
I find satisfaction in pushing myself to achieve great heights
But it doesn't thrill (boot) me half as much
However, it doesn't bring me nearly as much happiness as dancing closely with you
As dancing cheek to cheek
I find the greatest joy in being close to you while we dance
Oh I love to go out fishing
I also enjoy recreational fishing
In a river or a creek
Whether it's in a river or a creek, I like to fish in natural bodies of water
But I don't enjoy it half as much
However, it doesn't bring me nearly as much happiness as dancing closely with you
Come on and dance with me
I invite you to come dance with me
I want my arms about you
I want to hold you close while we dance
Those charms about you
Your attractive qualities add to the joy I feel while dancing with you
Will carry me through
Your charms will keep me feeling happy and content
To heaven, I'm in heaven
I feel like I'm in paradise when I'm dancing closely with you
Out together dancing (swinging)
As we dance together, we move in perfect unison
Out together dancing cheek to cheek
Our experience of dancing closely together is unparalleled
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Power
A class act with a great song.