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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.

Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow
Connee Boswell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying

But as long as you love me so
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Overall Meaning

Connee Boswell's Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow is a quintessential winter song that describes the cold weather and implores for more snowfall. As the title suggests, the song repeatedly mentions snow and its blustery effects throughout. The opening line, "Oh the weather outside is frightful," suggests a discomforting atmosphere outside but provides a contrast with the expression of enjoyment in "the fire is so delightful." The lyrics go on to depict a protagonist who feels trapped inside due to the snowstorm and has "no place to go." With nothing else to do, they occupy themselves by popping corn and keep the lights low to create a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Throughout the song, the snowfall is described as heavy and persistent, "It doesn't show signs of stopping." Despite the inconvenience of the weather, the singer still wishes for more snow, "Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!" The lyrics are a reflection of the pleasure one can derive from the winter season despite its challenges. The closing lines highlight the warmth of love, with the singer stating that as long as their partner loves them, they don't care about the storm - "But as long as you love me so, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!"

Line by Line Meaning

Oh the weather outside is frightful
The weather is unpleasant.

But the fire is so delightful
The warmth from the fire is comforting.

And since we've no place to go
We have nowhere to be or go.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
We're okay with letting it snow since we don't have anywhere to be.

It doesn't show signs of stopping
The snowfall isn't stopping any time soon.

And I've bought some corn for popping
I've prepared snacks for us to enjoy while we stay indoors.

The lights are turned way down low
The atmosphere is cozy with dimmed lighting.

When we finally kiss goodnight
When we're ready to go to bed.

How I'll hate going out in the storm!
I don't want to go out into the snowstorm.

But if you'll really hold me tight
If you hold onto me tightly.

All the way home I'll be warm
I'll feel warm and comfortable on the way home with you holding me.