With a vocal range spanning three octaves, she was noted for her purity of tone, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. She is widely considered to have been one of the supreme interpreters of the Great American Songbook.
The Ink Spots were a rather popular vocal group that helped define the musical genre that led to rhythm & blues and rock and roll, and the subgenre doo-wop. They gained much acceptance in the community.
I'm Beginning To See The Light
Ella Fitzgerald & the Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never wink back at fireflies
But now that the stars are in your eyes
I'm beginning to see the light
I never went in for afterglow
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low
I'm beginning to see the light
Used to ramble through the park
Shadowboxing in the dark
Then you came and caused a spark
That's a four-alarm fire now
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never saw rainbows in my wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
I'm beginning to see the light
"I'm Beginning to See the Light" by Ella Fitzgerald & The Ink Spots is a joyful and lively song about the realization of love. The first verse starts with the singer admitting that they never cared much for moonlit skies or fireflies, but as they look into the eyes of their beloved, they begin to see the stars and feel the light. This is a metaphor for the awakening of love and the way it can illuminate life's experiences. The second verse goes on to describe how they never used to enjoy the afterglow or candlelight, but now that they are with their love, they find beauty in even the dim light.
Line by Line Meaning
I never cared much for moonlit skies
I never had an interest in the romanticism associated with moonlit skies
I never wink back at fireflies
I never used to pay attention to the simple pleasures of nature, such as fireflies
But now that the stars are in your eyes
But now that I see the reflection of the stars in your eyes, I'm realizing the beauty of nature
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand and appreciate the things I used to overlook
I never went in for afterglow
I never cared for the lingering feeling of euphoria after a romantic moment
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
Or the traditional romantic setting of candlelight under the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low
But now, when you create a romantic atmosphere by lowering the lamp, I can appreciate it
Used to ramble through the park
I used to wander aimlessly through the park without paying attention to my surroundings
Shadowboxing in the dark
I used to engage in meaningless activities without purpose or direction
Then you came and caused a spark
But then you came into my life and ignited a passion within me
That's a four-alarm fire now
That passion has grown into a full-fledged intense emotion
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never experienced the romanticism of making love by the soft glow of a lantern
I never saw rainbows in my wine
I never saw the beauty of life and love reflected in simple things like the color of wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
But now, with your passionate kiss, I see the beauty of love everywhere
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm finally realizing and appreciating the beauty and magic of life and love
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Kennedy Ellington, Don George, Harry James, Johnny Hodges
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thesunblood
I never cared much for moonlit skies
I never wink back at fireflies
But now that the stars are in your eyes
I'm beginning to see the light
I never went in for afterglow
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low
I'm beginning to see the light
Used to ramble through the park
Shadowboxing in the dark
Then you came and caused a spark
That's a four-alarm fire now
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never saw rainbows in my wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
I'm beginning to see the light
@ajtstvandmusicarchivechann1585
I only heard of the ink spots via the fallout games and man im so glad. They are IMO one of the best bands of thr 1930s and 1940s
@dangerjayneson9487
Give Sam Cooke a listen if you haven't. The ink spots were a huge influence for him. He even toured with them when Sam was still in the soul stirrers. Beautifully unique voice
@itamarnesher930
Same dude
@immortalgamer3960
IMO they are one of the best bands period. So glad Fallout introduced me to them too. :)
@phrog7653
same lol
@LucyWest370
The mills brothers and the andrews sisters were great too
@2eleven48
I can see why they'd want to record the Ink Spots with Ella, both so popular at the time, but, really, Ella is just something else and moved on to greater glory. Still, this is bloody good music. Robert, uk.
@thesunblood
I never cared much for moonlit skies
I never wink back at fireflies
But now that the stars are in your eyes
I'm beginning to see the light
I never went in for afterglow
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low
I'm beginning to see the light
Used to ramble through the park
Shadowboxing in the dark
Then you came and caused a spark
That's a four-alarm fire now
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never saw rainbows in my wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
I'm beginning to see the light
@jpbowie
Inkspots plus Ella=magic!
@superloose5632
Bill and Ella should’ve recorded a lot more together as they were a great vocal match...