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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.

The Carioca
Connee Boswell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Say, have you seen a Carioca?
It's not a foxtrot or a polka
It has a little bit of new rhythm, a blue rhythm that sighs

It has a meter that is tricky
A bit of wicked wacky-wicky
But when you dance it with a new love, there's a true love in her eye

You dream of a new Carioca
Its theme is a kiss and a sigh
You dream of a new Carioca
When music and lights are gone, we say goodbye

Two heads together, they say, are better than one
Two heads together: that's how the dance is begun
Two arms around you and lips: that's why I'm yours, and you are mine
And you are mine

Now that you've done the Carioca
You'll never care to do the Polka
And then you'll realize the Blue Hula and Bamboola are through

Tomorrow morning you'll discover
You're just a Carioca lover
And when you dance it with each new love, there'll be true love just for you

Now you'll dream of a new Carioca
Its theme is a kiss and a sigh
You'll dream of a new Carioca

When music and lights are gone, and we're saying goodbye
Goodbye

Overall Meaning

Connee Boswell's song "The Carioca" is an upbeat tune that describes the Brazilian dance of the same name. The song opens by asking if you've ever seen a Carioca, which is described as having a new, blue rhythm that sighs. It's not a traditional dance like the foxtrot or polka, but it has a tricky meter and some "wicked wacky-wicky" steps. However, when you dance the Carioca with a new love, there's a sense of true love in the air.

The song implies that dancing the Carioca is a romantic experience, as two heads are better than one and two arms around you can lead to a connection where "you are mine." The lyrics describe the dance as so captivating that once you've done it, you'll never want to do the Polka or other dances again. The song suggests that the Carioca is the dance of lovers, and each time you dance it with a new partner, true love will be waiting for you.

Line by Line Meaning

Say, have you seen a Carioca?
Have you ever witnessed the beauty and grace of the Carioca dance?

It's not a foxtrot or a polka
It's unique and different from the usual foxtrot or polka dances.

It has a little bit of new rhythm, a blue rhythm that sighs
It has a fresh, unique rhythm that is filled with emotion and longing.

It has a meter that is tricky
It's a challenging dance to master due to its complicated timing and rhythm.

A bit of wicked wacky-wicky
It's a playful and mischievous dance with unexpected twists and turns.

But when you dance it with a new love, there's a true love in her eye
When you dance the Carioca with someone you love, you can see the true love and passion in their eyes.

You dream of a new Carioca
You envision a new and exciting version of the Carioca in your mind.

Its theme is a kiss and a sigh
The essence of the dance revolves around the romantic themes of kissing and sighing.

Two heads together, they say, are better than one
The dance requires two people to come together and work in harmony as a team.

Two heads together: that's how the dance is begun
The dance starts with two individuals coming together and moving in unison.

Two arms around you and lips: that's why I'm yours, and you are mine
The physical closeness and intimacy of the dance creates a strong bond between the two partners.

And you are mine
The dance strengthens the connection between two partners, making them feel closer and more in love.

Now that you've done the Carioca
After experiencing the beauty of the Carioca dance for yourself,

You'll never care to do the Polka
You'll no longer be interested in the Polka dance because the Carioca dance has captured your heart.

And then you'll realize the Blue Hula and Bamboola are through
You'll also realize that other dances such as the Blue Hula and Bamboola no longer hold the same appeal for you after experiencing the Carioca.

Tomorrow morning you'll discover
The morning after the dance, a new realization will dawn on you.

You're just a Carioca lover
You have fallen in love with the beauty of the Carioca and it has become your favorite dance.

And when you dance it with each new love, there'll be true love just for you
Every time you dance the Carioca with a new partner, it will be a reminder of the true love and passion that the dance embodies.

You'll dream of a new Carioca
The beauty and allure of the Carioca dance will continue to captivate your imagination and heart.

When music and lights are gone, and we're saying goodbye
As the music fades and the lights dim, and you and your partner say goodbye after the dance,

Goodbye
The end of the dance and the end of the magical experience you have shared with your partner.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Eliscu, Gus Kahn, Vincent Youmans

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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