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.
I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you're a mixture of devil and saint
I just sigh and dream and try to figure you out!
Love is in season, the moon's up above
Tho' it be treason to question your love
Ev'rytime I look at you My heart's in doubt
I've got a feelin' you're havin' fun
I've got a notion it's make believe
I think you're laughin' right up your sleeve
Foolin' with me
Life is worth living while you are giving moments of paradise
You're such a stand out
But how you handout that hokus, pokus from your eyes
I've got a feelin' it's all a frame
It's just the well known old army game foolin' with you
I've got a feelin' you're havin' fun
I'll get a goby when you are done foolin' with me
I've got a notion it's make believe
I think you're laughin' right up your sleeve
Foolin' with me
Life is worth living while you are giving moments of paradise
You're such a stand out
But how you handout that hokus, pokus from your eyes
I've got a feelin' it's all a frame
The lyrics to Connee Boswell's "I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'" describe the complex emotions and thoughts that the singer experiences as they navigate a tumultuous relationship with someone who is both enticing and confusing. The first verse establishes this dynamic, as the singer compares the subject of their affection to a mix of good and evil, leaving them unsure of where they stand. The second verse introduces doubt about the authenticity of their partner's feelings, wondering if they are simply playing with their emotions for their own amusement. The singer ultimately concludes that the relationship is worth pursuing despite the uncertainty and potential for heartache, as they are grateful for the moments of happiness that they are given.
The lyrics also make use of various figurative language techniques, such as metaphor and metonymy, to convey the singer's feelings more vividly. For example, the use of the phrase "the well known old army game" in the second verse suggests that the singer sees the relationship as a strategic battle that they must navigate carefully.
Overall, "I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'" is a song that encapsulates the complexity of romantic relationships and the mix of emotions that can come with them. Through its vivid language and nuanced portrayal of the singer's feelings, it offers an insightful commentary on the human experience of love.
Line by Line Meaning
You are a picture no artist could paint
You are unique and special, beyond what can be captured in any painting
But you're a mixture of devil and saint
However, you have both good and bad qualities
I just sigh and dream and try to figure you out!
I am constantly trying to understand you and your actions
Love is in season, the moon's up above
It seems like the perfect time for love
Tho' it be treason to question your love
However, it feels disloyal to even question whether your love is genuine or not
Ev'rytime I look at you My heart's in doubt
Despite this, I am constantly filled with doubt and uncertainty
I've got a feelin' you're havin' fun
I suspect that you are enjoying toying with me
I'll get a goby when you are done foolin' with me
When you are finished playing around with me, I will be left feeling foolish and embarrassed
I've got a notion it's make believe
I believe that what we have is just a facade, not real emotions or connection
I think you're laughin' right up your sleeve
Furthermore, I think you are secretly finding amusement at my expense
Foolin' with me
Playing around with my emotions and trust
Life is worth living while you are giving moments of paradise
Life is wonderful when we experience moments of pure joy and happiness
You're such a stand out
You are an exceptional person who stands out from the rest
But how you handout that hokus, pokus from your eyes
However, I am unsure if the charm and magic you exude is genuine or calculated
I've got a feelin' it's all a frame
I cannot shake the feeling that everything is just a carefully constructed act
It's just the well known old army game foolin' with you
In fact, it might just be a familiar game where we are both trying to outsmart and deceive each other.
Contributed by Sebastian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
roybo1930
Connie is a true SUPER STAR Icon indeed! I LOVE Her!
Trombonology Erstwhile
Terrific treatment from the great Connee of this Nacio Herb Brown-Arthur Freed cute one! ... The "well known old army game," as you may have guessed, is a reference to the notorious shell game.