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.
Sweet Eloise
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she is near you can hear them
Singing sweet melodies
They're just for my Eloise.
(My Eloise)
Sweet Eloise is a beautiful sight
Old Mr. Moon comes around to
Her smile's a warm summer breeze.
(The smile of Eloise)
And though there may be clouds in the skies
There's always sunshine deep in her eyes
In case you didn't know, roses grow hopin' some day
They'll be pressed and caressed in her bouquet
Sweet Eloise is so lovely to love
You will agree she's the only girl
That you're dreamin' of
But you'll be wastin' your time
Cause Eloise is all mine.
(She's all mine)
Sweet Eloise is so lovely to love
That you will agree she's the only girl
That you're dreamin' of
But you'll be wastin' your time
Cause Eloise is all mine.
(So don't you give her a line `cause Eloise is all mine)
The song Sweet Eloise by Connee Boswell is an ode to the singer's love interest, Eloise. The lyrics are full of admiration for her, describing her as a beautiful sight that even the moon comes to see every night. The birds in the trees sing sweet melodies when Eloise is near, and the singer declares that Eloise is the only girl of his dreams. The lyrics also suggest that Eloise brings sunshine to cloudy days and that flowers grow for the hope of being included in her bouquet.
The song's lyrics are a classic example of a love song that romanticizes the object of affection. The song tells a story of a person so in love with someone that they feel that the entire world revolves around this person. The imagery of the birds singing and the moon looking over Eloise creates a soft and dreamy feel that is consistent throughout the song. The lyrics convey a sense of security that the singer has in his love for Eloise, declaring that no other person should waste their time trying to woo her because Eloise is "all mine."
In conclusion, Sweet Eloise by Connee Boswell is a romantic love song that celebrates the beauty of the singer's love interest, Eloise. With its dreamy imagery and sentimental lyrics, it's a classic love song that captures the essence of what it feels like to be head-over-heels in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet Eloise, sing the birds in the trees
When Eloise is near, the birds sing sweet melodies that can be heard
When she is near you can hear them
Singing sweet melodies
The birds sing sweet melodies when Eloise is nearby
They're just for my Eloise.
(My Eloise)
The sweet bird songs are dedicated to Eloise, as she is special to the singer
Sweet Eloise is a beautiful sight
Eloise is visually stunning and pleasant to look at
Old Mr. Moon comes around to
Look at her every night
Even the moon gazes upon Eloise's beauty at night
Her smile's a warm summer breeze.
(The smile of Eloise)
Her smile is comforting and reminiscent of a warm, pleasant summer breeze
And though there may be clouds in the skies
There's always sunshine deep in her eyes
Despite potential obstacles, Eloise always exudes a sunny, positive attitude
In case you didn't know, roses grow hopin' some day
They'll be pressed and caressed in her bouquet
Roses grow with the hope of being picked and added to Eloise's bouquet, as she is worth celebrating
Sweet Eloise is so lovely to love
You will agree she's the only girl
That you're dreamin' of
Eloise is so wonderful that she becomes the sole object of affection for some individuals
But you'll be wastin' your time
Cause Eloise is all mine.
(She's all mine)
The artist declares that Eloise is only theirs, and any attempts at pursuing her would be pointless
Sweet Eloise is so lovely to love
That you will agree she's the only girl
That you're dreamin' of
Reiteration that Eloise is the only person worth dreaming of
But you'll be wastin' your time
Cause Eloise is all mine.
(So don't you give her a line `cause Eloise is all mine)
The artist warns others not to attempt to pursue Eloise, as she is already claimed by them
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MACK DAVID, RUSS MORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trombonology Erstwhile
Lovely! As much as I love Connee's brilliant, innovative uptempo style on some of the Boswell Sisters, sides, when it comes to her solo work, I've always preferred the ballads; she has such a beautiful tone and delivery. ... And here she pronounces bouquet correctly, unlike The Modernaires on the otherwise excellent GM version.