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.
Say It Isn't So
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say it isn't so.
Everyone is saying you don't love me,
Say it isn't so.
Everywhere I go,
Everyone I know
Whispers that you're growing tired of me,
People say that you
Found somebody new,
And it won't be long before you leave me,
Say it isn't true.
Say that everything is still okay,
That's all I want to know.
And what they're saying,
Say it isn't so.
People say passing by
Say he's younger than i
And it won't be long before you leave me,
Tell me it's a lie.
Say that everything is still okay,
That's all I want to know.
And what they're saying,
Say it isn't so.
The lyrics to Connee Boswell's song Say It Isn't So depict a heartbroken lover who is struggling to come to terms with the possibility that their partner might no longer love them. Everywhere they go, they hear whispers about their partner growing tired of them and possibly finding someone new. The chorus of the song pleads for their partner to deny these rumors and proclaim that everything is still okay between them.
The song captures the painful and uncertain feelings that come with the fear of losing someone we love. The lyrics show the intensity of the singer's desire for their partner to deny these rumors and assure them that their love is still strong. It highlights the deep sense of insecurity and vulnerability that one may feel when experiencing such a situation.
Overall, Say It Isn't So is a relatable and emotional song that speaks to the universal human experience of love, loss, and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Say it isn't so
Deny the rumors about your feelings for me
Say it isn't so.
Request confirmation that you still love me
Everyone is saying you don't love me,
People are gossiping that you've fallen out of love with me
Everywhere I go,
No matter where I am
Everyone I know
Everyone I'm acquainted with
Whispers that you're growing tired of me,
Softly speaks about your apparent fatigue of our relationship
People say that you
Rumors suggest that you
Found somebody new,
Formed a new romantic attachment
And it won't be long before you leave me,
Imply that you'll break up with me soon
Say it isn't true.
Request that you deny the rumors about leaving me
Say that everything is still okay,
Assure me that our relationship is still healthy
That's all I want to know.
That's the only information I need to hear
People say passing by
Strangers who walk by
Say he's younger than i
Suggest that your new potential love interest is younger than me
Tell me it's a lie.
Request that you deny this rumor as false
And what they're saying,
The rumors that are being spread
Say it isn't so.
Deny them as untrue
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
zzzut
As much as I love the Andrews Sisters, I believe the Boswell Sisters were underrated which is unfortunate. Connee was a great solo artist as well yet she’s almost forgotten. I think it’s sad.
mrblindfreddy9999
agree completely they were unique cheers Dave
Carole Griggs
such a beautiful song, beautifully sung...those were the days..
Matilda
What a beautiful recording!
Diana Aljadeff
A very beautiful and sad Irving Berlin song .
Matilda
From the best song writer ever!
Kathy Raygoza
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SAD SONG OF HEART BREAK. THERE ARE TWO RENDITIONS OF THIS SONG THAT IMBEDED IN MY MIND, THE BOSWELL RENDITION AND PETER MINTUNS RENDITION ON YOUTUBE...Two other favorites are silly little song but fun to sing. Rock And Roll and We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye. Thanks for posting this.
Bronxboy47
Classic Connie.
david john
Beautiful.....
sharon Swearengin
Compare this with the modern style Connie used when singing with the Sisters in 1932.