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.
Dinner at Eight
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you'll see you and I have a date
Let me refresh your memory;
darling you can't be late.
Don't forget, dinner at eight,
Two gardenias at your plate !
Under the table our hands will meet!
We should be able to be discreet
Lights are dim, moonlight above,
That's how people fall in love!
Just tell your mother you might be late
Don't forget, dinner at eight.
The song "Dinner at Eight" by Connee Boswell is a classic love ballad that tells the story of two lovers who have planned to have dinner together at eight o'clock. The lyrics indicate that the man, who appears to be a busy person or has a demanding schedule, already has it written down in his appointment book, reminding him not to be late. The woman, who is the romantic partner of this man, lovingly reminds him of the date, which she claims to be a memorable evening they are going to have. The woman makes it clear that she wants the evening to be special, hence; she has decorated the dining table with two gardenias, possibly symbolizing love and purity, which she placed on each plate.
As the night progresses, the lyrics imply that there will be a moment of physical intimacy as the two hold hands under the table. The song further sets the mood for a romantic night by highlighting the dim lights in the room and the moonlit sky. Finally, the woman asks the man to inform his mother that he might be late as they will be having a lovely time together. The lyrics of the song portray a sense of anticipation, excitement, and a building romantic tension that is enhanced through the melody, making "Dinner at Eight" a timeless love song.
Line by Line Meaning
In your appointment book
Looking at your schedule
you'll see you and I have a date
We have plans together
Let me refresh your memory;
Allow me to remind you
darling you can't be late.
Being punctual is important
Don't forget, dinner at eight,
Remember to join me for dinner at 8 o'clock
Two gardenias at your plate !
Two floral decorations will grace your place setting
Under the table our hands will meet!
Our hands will secretly touch under the table
We should be able to be discreet
We should be subtle and not draw attention
Lights are dim, moonlight above,
The lighting will be soft, with moonlight illuminating above
That's how people fall in love!
This is a romantic situation
Just tell your mother you might be late
Notify your mother that you may not be home on time
Don't forget, dinner at eight.
Reminding you again to meet me for dinner at 8 o'clock
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOROTHY FIELDS, JIMMY MC HUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sharon Kerman
Notice how closely she mimics Kate Smith's version from earlier in the year. Compare her cover of Smith's "Devil & the Deep Blue Sea" with the sisters the following year, where Connie creates a modern jazz idiom.