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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.

True Confession
Connee Boswell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I have a true confession
To make to you alone;
It's all about the way I love you
And adore you, my own!

I've tried to seek expression
For this desire I feel;
You've made a very deep impression

That my heart must reveal.

Let me confess what I feel for you,
The dreams that I dream.
I'd even lie and I'd steal for you,
Or go to most any extreme!

This is my true confession,
I swear by stars above,

And now you in complete possession
Of my secret of love.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Connee Boswell's "True Confession" are a heartfelt declaration of love and devotion. The singer admits that they have been longing to express their feelings for the person listening and finally musters up the courage to do so. The singer describes the intensity of their love and how it has left a deep impression on their heart. They are willing to do anything for this person, including lying, stealing or going to any extreme, just to make them happy. The singer then declares that this confession is their true and sincere expression of love, and that the person listening now has complete possession of their secret.

The lyrics of "True Confession" highlight the vulnerability and passion that come with being in love. The singer acknowledges the depth of their feelings and makes a bold statement of commitment to their beloved. The song beautifully captures the emotions of someone deeply in love and provides an honest perspective on the intensity of those feelings.

Line by Line Meaning

I have a true confession
I need to tell you something important

To make to you alone;
I can only tell you and no one else

It's all about the way I love you
My confession is about my strong feelings towards you

And adore you, my own!
I love and cherish you deeply

I've tried to seek expression
I've been searching for a way to express myself

For this desire I feel;
For my intense feelings of longing

You've made a very deep impression
You and your actions have had a significant impact on me

That my heart must reveal.
I cannot keep this secret inside any longer

Let me confess what I feel for you,
I'm going to tell you exactly how I feel

The dreams that I dream.
The fantasies I have about us together

I'd even lie and I'd steal for you,
I would do anything for you, even if it's wrong