From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Connee Boswell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They asked me how I knew
My true love was true
I of course replied
Something here inside
Can not be denied

They
said some day you'll find

All who love are blind
When you heart's on fire
You must realize
Smoke gets in your eyes

So I chaffed them
and I gaily laughed
To think they would doubt our love
And yet today
my love has gone away
I am without my love

Now laughing friends deride
Tears I cannot hide
So I smile and say
When a lovely flame dies
Smoke gets in your eyes

They
said some day you'll find
All who love are blind
When you heart's on fire
You must realize
Smoke gets in your eyes

Smoke gets in your eyes

Overall Meaning

Connee Boswell’s Smoke Gets in Your Eyes is a timeless classic ballad that was originally written for a musical play called "Roberta" by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein in 1933. The song portrays the story of a couple who have parted ways and how the remnants of their love lived on, despite being in the past. The introduction is a discussion between the singer and a group of people who ask her how she knew her true love was true, to which she responds by saying that there was something indescribable that could not be denied.

The second verse continues with the people saying that all who love are blind and that she would eventually see this for herself as her heart’s on fire. The singer responds to their skepticism with a laugh and a confidence in the strength of her love, suggesting that their doubts are unfounded. However, later we learn that the relationship has indeed come to an end and that the other party has moved on, causing the singer to feel deep sorrow and tears that she cannot hide. She still tries to maintain her sense of humor to dismiss the pain, attributing the loss of love to the smoke that gets in your eyes when a lovely flame dies.

The lyrics of Smoke Gets in your Eyes can be interpreted as a lamentation of lost love and the inability to move on. It speaks to the enduring nature of love, even after it has ended, as the memories and emotions of that love linger and can cause pain. The song is a reminder that love can be unpredictable and that "smoke" can cloud one's judgment, making it difficult to see a relationship for what it really is.

Line by Line Meaning

They asked me how I knew
They asked me how I knew that my true love was real

My true love was true
That the love I felt was genuine

I of course replied
I naturally replied

Something here inside
I had an intuition

Can not be denied
That it could not be ignored

They said some day you'll find
They warned me that I would eventually realize

All who love are blind
That love can be blinding

When you heart's on fire
When you're passionately in love

You must realize
You must understand

Smoke gets in your eyes
That emotions can cloud your judgment

So I chaffed them
So I teased them

and I gaily laughed
And I laughed in a carefree manner

To think they would doubt our love
To imagine that they would question the strength of our love

And yet today
Despite my previous reaction

my love has gone away
My love has left me

I am without my love
I am now alone

Now laughing friends deride
Now my formerly supportive friends mock me

Tears I cannot hide
Tears that I can't keep from flowing

So I smile and say
So I put on a brave face and remark

When a lovely flame dies
When a beautiful relationship ends

Smoke gets in your eyes
Emotions can be overwhelming

They said some day you'll find
They warned me that eventually I would understand

All who love are blind
That being in love can make it difficult to see things clearly

When you heart's on fire
When you're deeply in love

You must realize
You'll come to recognize

Smoke gets in your eyes
That strong feelings can prevent clear thinking

Smoke gets in your eyes
Emotions can obscure our judgment

Writer(s): JEROME KERN, OTTO HARBACH

Contributed by Aaron R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@luisfrodrimaz

7y↑15

They asked me how I knew
My true love was true
Oh, I of course replied
Something here inside cannot be denied

They said someday you'll find
All who love are blind
Oh, when your heart's on fire
You must realize
Smoke gets in your eyes

So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed
To think they could doubt my love
Yet today my love has flown away
I am without my love

Now laughing friends deride
Tears I can not hide
Oh, so I smile and say
When a lovely flame dies
Smoke gets in your eyes
Smoke gets in your eyes

@brotherhoratio127

LYRICS

They asked me how I knew
My true love was true
I of course replied
Something here inside cannot be denied

They said someday you'll find
All who love are blind
When your heart's on fire
You must realize
Smoke gets in your eyes

So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed
To think they could doubt my love
Yet today my love has flown away
I am without my love

Now laughing friends deride
Tears I cannot hide
So I smile and say
When a lovely flame dies
Smoke gets in your eyes

All comments from YouTube:

@miltonmoore8369

9w↑1

WOW! CONNIE BOSWELL TOOK A BACK SEAT TO NOBODY! 🦋🎵🦋
I KNEW OF HE R BUT HAVEN'T HEARD MANY OF HER RECORDINGS, AND FORTUNATELY THIS SONG POPPED UP WHILE SURFING RANDOMLY YOU TUBE VIDEOS. I STRUCK OUT BY LANDING ON A CHANNEL THAT HAS GREAT HQ AUDIO, BUT BANS COMMENTS. NEXT CHANNEL ACCEPTS COMMENTS, BUT HAD A SCRATCHED UP VINYL RECORDING. SO "THE THIRD TIME WAS THE CHARM!"😊

THE GREAT JEROME KERN WAS ONLY 60 YEARS OLD WHEN HE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK. HE LOOKS OLDER THAN THAT IN THE PHOTO. I AM PRESENTLY 78 YEARS OLD, AND WHEN I TURNED 61 I STARTED TRACKING CELEBRITIES THAT I HAD OUTLIVED, AND JEROME KERN CAME TO MIND FIRST. WHEN WILLIAM HOLDEN DIED AT 63, I THOUGHT OF HIM WHEN I TURNED 64. WHEN I TURNED 78 RECENTLY, IT WAS AMAZING HOW MANY FAMOUS PEOPLE DIED AT 77, ANDRE WATTS COMING TO MIND FIRST.

I HAVE NEVER HEARD A MORE BEAUTIFULLY SUNG VERSION OF THIS "EVERGREEN." OF COURSE THE TONY WILLIAMS & THE PLATTERS VERSION RANKS WITH IT.

CONSTANCE FOORE BOSWELL (1907-1976) DIED AGED 68 FROM STOMACH CANCER, THE SAME HIDEOUS DISEASE THAT FELLED THE IMMORTAL OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN,JR.😢

@calindesmoines1

4y↑4

Quite simply, the greatest song ever written. The Platters, Connie Boswell, Kathryn Grason, Ray Conniff, Leo Reisman, Artie Shaw, Elsie Carlisle, Paul Whiteman with Bob Lawrence on vocal and dozens of other versions are remarkable because the song is remarkable. Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach wrote this rare, incredible, exceptional song that will live forever.

@2ndviolinist

I agree. Thank you for listening.

@StevenTorrey

3y↑2

Connee Boswell died in 1976 at age 68. A lovely rendition of a lovely song!

@markherron1407

2y↑2

Happy Birthday to the Late Conner Boswell her Birth Card ♦️♦️ Two 🕑 of Diamonds Merry Christmas ⛄🎄 Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!

@SmartStart24

2y↑2

Connee is hands down one of my favorite singers of all times. Top 10. Such a beautiful and effortless style of singing.

@captainamerica8370

8y↑47

I guess the internet isn't such a bad place, fortunately.

@jimhilliker2450

3y↑9

I can see how Connee influenced Ella! Wow. This is amazing and beautiful. Thank you. I have a lot to learn about early music.

@stewartgellatly8073

I could not agree more with the previous comment. Consider this as an update to it after ten years.

@henridelagardere264

6y↑28

Smoke gets in her eyes ... and a tear in ours.

@phaasch

7y↑9

Phew. What a voice. Its like listening to another world.

@2ndviolinist

It is another world. Unfortunately. I don't expect to hear such singing in my lifetime.

@robsmit106

7y↑1

I was listening to this on a 78rpm with my paternal grandfather when i was about 18 and he got a lump in his throat, which was unusual he was a tough man, he then told me that he and his buddies were listening to this in north Africa when they were shelled and he saw his first man killed. Suddenly he told me some of the truths of war and that I should never go unless my own country was in peril, previously he had only told me fun and amusing war stories. Amazing what a song can release

@2ndviolinist

You have an amazing story. Music has great power. It can carry messages that cannot be expressed in speech. Thank you for listening and sharing this experience with your grandfather.

@2ndviolinist

Thank you.

@carlosquevedo9865

4y↑1

What a beautiful velvety voice

@2ndviolinist

Agreed. Thank you for listing.

@cmr.okpanachirufus710

25w

The soul ears good music to live.

@suatwahtan8658

Nice lovely low warm voice 😍

@Saxy64

8y↑11

Her New Orleans accent adds such a lovely touch to her delivery. Excellent!

@chatman2a

12y↑5

Can it possibly get any better than this? Of the dozens of versions of this song that I've heard, Ms. Boswell's is head-and-shoulders above all the others. I grew up regarding the Platters 1950s version as the "gold standard" for this song. It was only last year that I happened upon Boswell's rendition. And now, I must say, Connee's version of the song is now the new gold standard by which all the others must be compared. Thanks for posting this wonderful (and wondrous) song.

@uslines

What made the Platters great, for me, was their song book of classic songs written by talented composers.

@misspaddylee

12y↑3

I am transported by the lovely melody and perfect interpretation by the incomparable Miss Boswell.

@nmvince42

5y↑4

Remember seeing and hearing her on 1950's variety shows. This is one beautiful version. I thought the Platters had the definitive one but this is grreat.

@2ndviolinist

The 50s were pretty late for her. She was one of the great nonclassical singers. Thank you for listening.

@TruNordics14

7y↑5

Been listening to different versions by female performers, this is my fav by far. Her voice sounds like a beautifully played instrument, love her nuance, very tasteful.

@2ndviolinist

I absolutely agree. Thank you for listening. Share your opinion with others.

@curbozerboomer1773

She really did have it all!...Looks (her sisters too!), and more importantly, very controlled, modulated, sweet-sounding vocal abilities. So much talent was around during the twenties and thirties...I regret that I am too young (at 75!) to have been able to witness her, and her sisters...We humans just do not live long enough to experience such transcendent musical accomplishments.

@dagnabitdd4586

9y↑17

Beautiful voice, Ms Boswell..

@siew-hongkoe5340

Nazrah Hm Zain u

@luisfrodrimaz

7y↑15

@michaelslack1

10y↑67

And, by the way, folks, did you know that Connee's entire singing career was done from a wheel chair? She was paralyzed by polio as a child and never stood up the rest of her life . . . to sing this gem, to sing the greatest duets ever with Bing Crosby, to sing with her sisters.

Ever.

@2ndviolinist

10y↑3

It is a bit unclear but the great majority of articles I have read and a symposium I attended point to a childhood spinal cord accident. She sat with Martha on the piano bench. She "danced" in a movie sitting on a stool guided by someone underneath, stool and person covered by her skirt.

@richardgottlieb4881

10y

Michael Slack: I hope you aren't including "Bobwhite" in the "greatest duets" with Bing Crosby.

@2ndviolinist

9y↑1

Richard Gottlieb
Absolutely not!

@XX-gy7ue

6y↑6

she was great , chair or no chair - but my sister was so impressed by her that she named one of her dolls ' Connee Boswell ' and that doll always had to sit or be carried when she was playing dolls and was otherwise kept in a tiny chair near her bed !

@markmetzger7106

Michael Slack z

1 More Replies...

@francisomahony8602

3y↑1

First time I have heard this ladies wonderful singing. Beautiful voice,
beautiful rendition,
with a vibrato to match. I'll be looking out for more of her recordings.

@bobnewton3754

8y↑2

Connee was the queen!!!

@lisaautrey9554

11y↑6

Oh my.... simply wonderful.

@AidanTheLoverBoyOhDwyer

why did she decide to go solo with this

her sisters harmonizing would be gold

@SailorMoonFanChannel1997

2y↑1

Soy metalero pero es de estas personas que si bien no son populares como las artistas de pop actuales... Ella tenía una voz de angel, es donde saco mi inspiración. La escucho desde hace 10 años tengo 24 obvio que amaba las Boswell sisters también

@cecilusby1

9y↑10

This version is the best expression of the sadness in the lyrics and in her vibrato

@stars2luv

11y↑3

As I go up the timeline, it gets better and better. Ella Fitzgerald and then Conne Boswell.. I wonder who was before Connee now. I'm discovering some great singers through Youtube!! Thx for the clip.

@biomusicology1441

Conne Boswell and her sisters patterned after Mamie Smith’s singing style

@niamhquigley6347

10y↑24

I've heard both Judy Garland and Irene Dunne sing this but Ms Boswell is the best I've heard

@adminemails

It’s on YouTube.

@ccdg1066

11y↑3

First time I've heard this lady sing... love it! Thanks for introducing us to this talent from yesteryear! /d

@savage495

10y↑4

Her version is by far the best

@barbaraobach

And that goes for other great songs of that era, often her &the Coswell sisters had the best versions.

@25FIREBALL

8y↑13

made my night------thank god for you tube----this world would be musically deprived with out it---JMO

@2ndviolinist

+25FIREBALL
Glad you like it. Thanks for listening.

@sweetnymphetamines

8y↑1

I love Connee, I love this song!

@velvettepanoz5442

love your name......mine is pronounced Velvet from National Velvet. French spelling Velvette. Plus sister Scarlette.

@velvettepanoz5442

+Velvette Panoz oh and originally Velvette Jordan. just fyi.😀

@nancycowan2946

There is a story that a young Ella Fitzgerald had studied to be a dancer and finally got a spot on an amateur show. The dance performers before her intimidated her and she was afraid of losing. She knew, though untrained that she could sing. When it was her turn she imitated Connee Boswell for all she was worth. History was made that night.

@2ndviolinist

Thank you for the information. I I had no idea that Ella tried to be a dancer but was completely aware that Ella was a great admirer of and tried to imitate Connee. Thank you for listening.

@carolcollins4878

Conee Boswell, an inspiration

@raffamon1946

10y↑1

Intramontabile questo grande Jerome Kern con questa melodia bellissima. Grazie

@milopeng1942

9y↑20

Was listening to the Platters version of this song and was I blown over by this recording!! Thanks for the post and the very informative notes. Andy - Singapore

@2ndviolinist

9y↑1

+milopeng1942
It is the best I've heard. Connee and the Boswell Sisters are amongst the brightest stars in the 1930s and later for solo career. You're welcome and thank you for listening.

If you are not familiar with the Boswell Sisters you need to check them out. I have 2 unavailable at this time albums uploaded.

@michaelgray4981

Yes, hearing this showed me its influence on the Platters' version

@malka501

9y↑2

A great love song and a beautiful voice.

@XX-gy7ue

6y↑2

BEAUTIFUL

@2ndviolinist

6y↑1

Absolutely. Thank you for listening.

@aucourant9998

9y↑3

Beautiful controlled version.

@achwas79

9y↑1

one of the best songs ever.
your vid showing the most important people of this master piece.

@ScenicMike1

13y↑2

thanks, beautiful song and version of it.

@CharlottePoe

9y↑5

Thanks very much. This is a wonderful version.

@2ndviolinist

You are welcome. Thanks for listening.

@adrianam.9634

4y↑1

Maravilhosaaa

@2ndviolinist

4y↑2

Agreed. Thank you for listening.

@brothertaro2008

5y↑1

Lovely version. Another great one (and probably my own favorite) is Jo Stafford's.

@lbay478

8y↑2

если б не прочитала, что Конни Босвелл была кумиром Эллы Фицджеральд и манеру пения она переняла именно от неё, то даже не узнала о столь чудесном по красоте своей голосе. Интересно, почему Конни Босвелл не известна миру так, как Элла Фицджеральд

@moiracallaghan145

7y↑9

Just read she was Ella Fitzgerald's favourite - no wonder?

@user-gj4du9hm3y

ностальгия по ушедшему времени иных уж нет а как было здорово только дым воспоминаний

@ha1da1sa61

Beatiful voice 😍😍😍😍😍😍

@_PROCLUS

💝💝💝 She sings wonderfully

@2ndviolinist

Very definitely. She was the inspiration for Ella Fitzgerald. The Boswell sisters is one of the major highlights in jazz.

@_PROCLUS

2ndviolinist Like her singing better

@2ndviolinist

I love both of them. They are very different. This is possibly the best recording of Connee as a solo act. Ella has an incredible range of styles and can improvise better than any other singer I am aware of.

@_PROCLUS

I have to listen more to Ella Fitzgerald ...

@Vogler9

11y↑2

Beautiful song but very difficult to sing! I feel that this is the best rendition although Irene Dunne made a very good job of it as well.

@CurzonRoad

12y↑1

Nice... very, v-e-r-y nice. Thank you, Doug! Best. Doug --

@theclassicso

This is just beautiful. Thank you so much for posting this.

@2ndviolinist

+theclassicso
Sorry to take so long. You're very welcome. Thank you for listening.

@inesthevagabond

8y↑1

magnificent..

@marjandejong9889

Wat een geweldige stem!!

@KatzePiano

12y↑4

This is a gorgeous rendition! I'm doing this song for my Grade 7, but she seems to have missed out an entire page of the music on the version I have.

@rampartrod

thank you so..i am less depressed bless you

@2ndviolinist

You are most welcome. I am sorry to hear that you are depressed. I am glad that this can help.

@giuliavosio2746

Don't think this is the best, but surely lovely

@2ndviolinist

Who do you think does the best version? Thank you for listening.

@maryc.dalton1284

Lovely.

@2ndviolinist

I agree. Thank you for listening.

@bellini7verdi

la versión de Shirley bassey es la gloria total....porque a esta salvaje suavidad Shirley añade salvajidad vocal...........

@PaulTheTrombonist

A genius

@lbay478

если бы и сейчас женщины пели столь чарующими, нежными, вызывающими чувство спокойствия и блаженства голосами, то может быть мир не был так агрессивен.

@GW-iv3bz

Thought this was the Platters, she def did well. Cant lie, still prefer the other version but her voice too, is amazing.

@rampartrod

wonderful

@2ndviolinist

Yes it is. Thank you for listening.

@IconsOfTeleplay

11y↑1

Teresa Teng I love you!

@paulostroff99

13y

Awesome! TY 2nd violinist for sharing.

@larrydewein1579

10y↑3

Best version of Blue Moon by one of best female singers. Anybody who disagrees has a tin ear and is musically challenged:)

@2ndviolinist

10y↑5

Blue Moon? Thanks for listening.

@binkylinky3639

‘Watchmen’ -brought me here.

@ccdg1066

11y

I so agree with your comment, as I've also listened to over a dozen renditions - this one does it for me. I still like the Platters for their harmony, but if I had to pick it would be this one from Connee.

@bbcisrubbish

10y↑3

The best version I have heard of this beautiful song was by Angela Richards.
It was at a members theatre club in London. It was not recorded, unfortunately.

@maseraticboychik

absolutely lovely. There is only one version which is possibly as lovely: Kathryn Grayson in the remake from 1952...

@ronaldojosepantojapereira1921

sensacional!!!

@G3NN0

imagine Holden Caulfield soaking wet with rain looking at old Phoebe going round the carousel

@2ndviolinist

5y↑1

Good metaphor. Thank you for listening.

@TheZeevik

pretty cover

@2ndviolinist

That's all you had to say? Thanks for listening?

@brotherhoratio127

@2ndviolinist

Such incredible lyrics. Thank you for that and thanks for listing.

@user-xv3wb1ep2v

🌹🌹🌹👏👏😍😍

@MrRJDB1969

I just bought a 78rpm of this today for 20 cents at a thrift store ... mint shape too. Decca # 25055 A.

@Antoniocampagnefilhoperfil2

lindas musicas merecen todo nosso respeito no mundo são lindas e imortais temos a obrigação de divulgar todas ao mundo felis 2016 a voçes todos da google

@jameshom6171

Never could understand how the 1930's version (quicker beat) could morph into the 50's Platter's version (slow) of this song - now I have the answer - the Platter's version was certainly inspired by this version.

@2ndviolinist

I agree. Thanks for listening.

@mrcell61

Donald Fagan "Eminent Hipsters" brought me here.

@philippee4609

4y↑1

Beautiful, nostalgic and pregnant version.
And his voice is so in accord with these words!
In what year was it recorded?
I would have liked to hear it on stage and Irene Dunne too
I found a very poorly recorded version of Irene Dunne on youtube.
Do you know if there are remastered recordings?
Do you know if there are any transcriptions for piano?
Phil from France

@2ndviolinist

I agree except "his" voice is her voice. She recorded this in 1942. You're on your own to find a remastered Irene Dunne and a transcription for piano. Thank you for listening.
Doug from USA

@h.calvert3165

@Barbara Shernoff
Probably with meaning or feeling. Cut him some slack: E.S.L.

@lenalundberg3701

And I like Brian Ferrys too.

@EmilieHart4

12y

any idea where I can get sheet music with vocal and piano parts on it with this version or a female version accompaniment? Thanks!!!

@davidlawler4019

Up there with Helen Forrest and Bryan Ferry . . .?

@Gydinglight12

11y

Check the version of Smoke...sung in Polish in 1934 by Mieczyslaw Fogg.

@marcmomus

Gydinglight12 Thanks, I loved it.

@chemcokeith6533

one of the saddest songs ever written

@gregsmith1115

Didn't know that Miss Connee had polio. Just goes to show what moxie can do!

@2ndviolinist

It is more likely that she had a spinal cord injury when she was young.

@adlan_kacak

can somebody tell me what genre is this song? thanks =)

@2ndviolinist

It is a show tune. It was written by Jerome Kern for the 1933 operetta Roberto. An operetta is close to a Broadway show. It would often be called a "Standard."

@adlan_kacak

+2ndviolinist thank you very much for the information

@erickbaguio4771

Jazz Standard!

@markhall7646

6y↑1

I love the sound of her voice. It would have been a delight to have carried her anywhere her wheelchair couldn't go.

@2ndviolinist

I agree except I am in a wheelchair myself. Thank you for listening.

@jjtomkus

Nice, but the Platters do it better Imo. Tony Williams is a great singer, but vocal background takes it up a notch. My favorite though is by a mid-80's vocal group called the Five Boroughs.

@MrMuzikProductions

Does anyone know the recording date, label and record number of this particular song. I would really like to know.

@2ndviolinist

8y↑2

7/8/41 Connee Boswell with Victor Young and his Orchestra
DLA2512 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Kern-Harbach) 3:08 Decca 18384, Decca 25055, [TCTTS]
This was from the 1st website that came up when I typed in "Connee Boswell discography." I used Find with the search term "smoke" and got what you wanted in 30 seconds. Don't be so helpless but thanks for listening.