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.
Soon
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love will be the theme song
Soon, the lonely nights will be ended
Soon, two hearts as one will be blended
When I'm with you who cares what time it is
Or what the place or the climate is
Home through every storm, never failing
The day you're mine this world will be in tune
Let's make that day come soon
Soon, a little cottage will find us
Safe with all our cares far behind us
The day you're mine this world will be in tune
Let's make that day come soon
Let's make that day come soon
Make it come soon
The lyrics to Connee Boswell's song "Soon" convey a sense of anticipation and longing for a future filled with love and happiness. The song begins with the idea that life will become like a dream and love will become its defining theme. This suggests that once the singer's desires are fulfilled, their life will be filled with joy and contentment.
The lyrics further express the belief that the singer's current state of loneliness and solitude will soon come to an end. They eagerly anticipate the blending of two hearts, symbolizing the union of two individuals in a loving relationship. The phrase "When I'm with you, who cares what time it is or what the place or the climate is" highlights the singer's focus on the emotional connection they have with their loved one rather than external factors.
The following lines evoke a sense of hope and resilience. The mention of a ship sailing home through stormy weather represents the couple's journey through difficulties and challenges. It suggests that their love will remain strong and steadfast, overcoming any obstacles that come their way.
The lyrics conclude with a strong desire for the day when the singer can finally call their beloved their own. The world will then be in tune, implying that everything will fall into place and harmony will prevail. There is a sense of urgency in the repetition of the line "Let's make that day come soon," emphasizing the singer's eagerness to embark on this journey of love and togetherness.
Overall, the lyrics to "Soon" depict the longing for love and the anticipation of a future filled with happiness and unity.
Line by Line Meaning
Life will be a dream song
Life will become a beautiful melody
Love will be the theme song
Love will be the central and recurring theme in our lives
Soon, the lonely nights will be ended
In the near future, the nights filled with loneliness will come to an end
Soon, two hearts as one will be blended
Soon, our hearts will unite and become intertwined
When I'm with you who cares what time it is
When I'm in your presence, time becomes insignificant and unimportant
Or what the place or the climate is
The location or weather conditions lose their significance when we are together
Oh! Soon, our little ship will come sailing
Oh! In the near future, our small vessel of love will arrive gracefully
Home through every storm, never failing
We will reach home safely despite facing various challenges and adversities
The day you're mine this world will be in tune
The day you become mine, everything in this world will harmonize
Let's make that day come soon
Let's strive to bring that day closer and make it arrive in the near future
Soon, a little cottage will find us
In the near future, we will discover a cozy little cottage for ourselves
Safe with all our cares far behind us
We will feel secure, leaving behind all our worries and concerns
Let's make that day come soon
Let's work towards making that day arrive quickly
Make it come soon
Let's hasten its arrival
Lyrics © Strictly Songs SPRL, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
X X
she was a marvelous singer , but her life is even more impressive , and should be made into a movie !
John Benn
WOW
Wonderful version of a golden oldie sung by a fantastic vocalist!
len farmer
One of the best versions of this I have ever heard!
jeremynv89523
What a VOICE!! She plays her vocal cords like a Stradivarius.
len farmer
On her one woman broadway shows she would often be swinging gently on a swing in a long evening gown...she was so lovely...no one else can touch this version...
Dillan Taylor
len farmer amen
Robert Silvestri
Connee suffered polio. She always was either in a wheelchair or seated. Hence the long gowns.
Kevin Mitchell
Beautiful rendition of Stormy Weather!!! I love that feel and sound.
G Boo
boy she puts a lot of feel too this song by the way her voice carry's this song love love love this mrs connie đź’–
An Cat Dubh
The teenage Boswell Sisters were a leading vocal act in New Orleans by the early 1920s. Their older brother Clydie was a big fan of the early jazz movement, and their mother encouraged their musical interests. As kids, their home was regularly visited by jazz musicians like Louis Prima and his brother Leon, Monk Hazel, Leon Roppolo and Ray Bauduc. Clydie supposedly drove his little sisters around town to listen to performances at the churches and jazz halls. So they were steeped in the local music scene. Their act was known for being innovative in both the song and vocal arrangements - lots of unexpected tempo, rhythm and key changes occurring in mid-song.
Ella Fitzgerald grew up imitating Connie (Connee) Boswell. She obviously found her own vocal style once she was singing professionally. “Who influenced me? There was only one singer who influenced me. I tried to sing like her all the time, because everything she did made sense musically… and that singer was Connie Boswell.” - Ella Fitzgerald