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 Compare You
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
You forgot your promises, every single vow
All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
Every road has a turning
That's one thing you're learning
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
How can I forget the hours that I worried through
Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
In those days you never thought anything of me
But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
Every road has a turning
That's one thing you're learning
I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
The lyrics of Connee Boswell's song "I Cried For You" describe the journey of a person who was in a toxic relationship. They used to weep about the things their partner said to them and couldn't even sleep. The partner didn't keep any of their promises and only laughed at them. However, things have changed now. The singer of the song has moved on and found someone else who treats them better. The partner is now experiencing the pain that the singer went through, and they are the ones crying now.
The song is essentially about the process of healing from a toxic relationship. The singer has struggled and cried for their partner but has finally found happiness after moving on. The partner's turn to cry signifies that they are now experiencing the pain and regret that the singer was going through. The song ends on a positive note with the singer rejoicing that they have found someone who appreciates them and treated them better than their previous partner.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember other days how I used to weep
I recall a time when your hurtful words made me cry
Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
Your words kept me up at night and caused me great distress
You forgot your promises, every single vow
You broke your commitments and failed to follow through on your word
All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now
You used to mock my pain, but now the tables have turned and you are the one hurting
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
I once shed tears for you, but now it's your time to experience heartache because of me
Every road has a turning
Every path in life has a change or shift in direction
That's one thing you're learning
You are discovering this truth about life firsthand
I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
My past behavior of crying over you now seems foolish to me
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I have found someone with even more captivating eyes than yours
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I have discovered a person with a heart that is more genuine and devoted than yours
Now it's your turn to cry over me
You now must deal with the same pain and sadness that I once experienced due to your actions
How can I forget the hours that I worried through
I cannot erase the memories of the countless hours I spent worrying about our relationship
Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
I spent my days wondering how to fix our problems and what steps to take next
In those days you never thought anything of me
You did not appreciate me or value our relationship during that time
But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free
I used to be completely devoted to you, but now I am no longer bound to you and free to move on with my life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gus Arnheim, Arthur Freed, Abe Lyman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JD Prouty
"The melody from the 2nd theme of [Tchaikovsky's] Andante cantabile, in D-flat major, was also used as the basis for the popular song "On the Isle of May", popularized by Connee Boswell in 1940." - Wikipedia
m8roth
I played this on my cell phone for my ninety year old neighbor, Aad. I'm trying to talk him into buying an i-pad so he can listen to the music he loved growing up. The look on his face would have pleased you when he heard Connie start to sing.
Amy Bourdon
Beautiful voice!
stlivermore
This is my kind of music, decidedly and undescribably so. Thanx for sharing this beautiful recording.
m8roth
Not only did he serve, Aad, he had 6 other brothers who served and one who was a priest. The fellow I mentioned was with airborne and he parachuted behind German lines the night before the Normandy invasion. He was a pretty tough little fellow when he was a younger man. He was a friend of my father's. I'll pass along your very kind regards, Aad. Thank you.
Aad Juijn
Connee Boswell was one of America's greatest vocalists...Grtz, Aad
bellini verdi
hoy acabo de conocer esta mujer........y esta voz......y vuelvo a caer rendido nuevamente...........intento encontrar caer rendido en estos tiempos por algún artista.....y no lo logro.....voy y me desplazo 75 años al pasado y me quedo como si me convirtiera al budismo......y recuperar la luz
SHMUEL PAPIRNIKOV
PURE GOLD
zaker721
Beautiful. So beautiful.
Aad Juijn
Thank you too Mitchell...a brave man and in my opinion a hero! Grtz, Aad