She was born in Hungary to professional musician parents who toured worldwide. Educated in Switzerland, she studied piano before joining her parents on tour as The Three Hugos. When World War II was declared, the family left England with the Boswell Circus. She married, and as Eve Boswell became a popular singing star in South Africa.
In 1949, she was heard by bandleader Geraldo (Gerald Bright), who persuaded her to return to the United Kingdom as a singer in his band, which was widely heard on BBC Radio. Boswell parted with Geraldo in 1952, and launched a solo career. Her first hit record came that year with "Sugar Bush", partly sung in Afrikaans. She appeared in the Royal Variety Performance and toured widely with comedian Derek Roy, before getting her own radio show in 1954.
Her major chart hit came with "Pickin' a Chicken", a South African tune with new words, which rose to No 9 on the UK Singles Chart at the start of 1956. Her first LP, Sugar and Spice, on which she sang 10 songs in nine different languages, followed later in the year. A continuous programme of radio work and tours followed, leading to more than one mental breakdown.
She faded from public view as public tastes for pop music changed through the late 1950s and 1960s, eventually returning to live in South Africa.
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Eve Boswell Lyrics
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Long before the Springtime is due?
And even though it's snowing, violets are growing
I know why and so do you
Why do breezes sigh every evening whispering your name as they do?
And why have I the feeling stars are on my ceiling?
I know why and so do you
When you smile at me I hear gypsy violins
I can see the sun when it's raining, hiding every cloud from my view
And why do I see rainbows when you're in my arms?
I know why and so do you
Why do robins sing in December
Long before the springtime is due?
And even though it's snowing, violets are growing
I know why and so do you
Why do breezes sigh every evening whispering your name as they do?
And why have I the feeling stars are on my ceiling?
I know why and so do you
When you smile at me I hear gypsy violins
When you dance with me, I'm in heaven when the music begins
I can see the sun when it's raining, hiding every cloud from my view
And why do I see rainbows when you're in my arms?
I know why and so do you
The song "I Know Why (And So Do You)" by Eve Boswell is a romantic, melancholic tune that speaks about the unexplainable feelings of love. It starts by asking why robins sing in December, long before the Springtime is due, and why breezes sigh every evening, whispering the name of the person they love. The answer, according to the song, is that the singer and the person she loves share a deep connection that goes beyond the rational or concrete, something that only they can understand. Even when everything around them seems to contradict their feelings, like snowing violets or stars on the ceiling, they still know why they feel the way they do.
The chorus of the song echoes this sentiment, stating that when the person she loves smiles at her, she hears gypsy violins, and when they dance, she feels like she's in heaven. She can see the sun even when it's raining, and why she sees rainbows when they're in her arms. The song speaks to the idea that love is inexplicable, and the feelings it brings cannot always be explained by logic, but simply known and felt.
Overall, "I Know Why (And So Do You)" is a heartfelt expression of love, which speaks to the idea that the feelings that come with it are often beyond words. It is a testament to the power of love and its ability to elevate life to something magical and beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do robins sing in December
What reasons do robins have for singing in December?
Long before the Springtime is due?
Why do robins start singing well before the Spring season starts?
And even though it's snowing, violets are growing
Despite the presence of snow, how are violets still able to grow?
I know why and so do you
Both the artist and the listener know the reasons for these occurrences.
Why do breezes sigh every evening whispering your name as they do?
What is the cause for the evening breezes to murmur the name of the beloved?
And why have I the feeling stars are on my ceiling?
What makes the singer perceive the stars to be on their ceiling?
When you smile at me I hear gypsy violins
The singer hears the sound of gypsy violins when the beloved smiles.
When you dance with me, I'm in heaven when the music begins
The artist achieves a heavenly feeling when dancing with their beloved.
I can see the sun when it's raining, hiding every cloud from my view
The artist is able to see the sun even when it's raining, and the clouds do not obstruct their vision.
And why do I see rainbows when you're in my arms?
What is the source of seeing rainbows when the beloved is in the artist's arms?
I know why and so do you
Both the singer and the listener comprehend the reasons for these events.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MACK GORDON, HARRY WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phillip Joffe
I lived next door to Eve for many years in Johannesburg and for a few years she was my singing teacher. I will never forget when Matt Monro toured South Africa she held a welcome cocktail party for him at her home and I sang his hit Born Free with him.
Kiwi Owl
What a lovely memory Phillip. I met Eve in Joburg too, around 1968. I'd only be about 7 at the time. I was with my father and I thought we met her in her hotel room, although I can't think why. I just have this very vague memory of meeting this lady, but I remember her name, My Dad has passed away now so I'll never really know what the story was My Dad always fancied himself as a singer, although he was awful, maybe he was there for singing lessons too?
sean p mclaughlin
Such a tonic for these times
lincsposter
Wow! This brings back so many memories!!! Thank you for posting! Eve Boswell and the Wheeltappers in one video! Priceless!
Rick A
Fantastic post! This is so cool to see performed live.
Russell Austin Composer
A great singer / entertainer - a Great memory !
MrLowerlargo
Thanks a million Stephenin for posting the Boswell magic.I fell in love with Eve in 1959 when I was a teenager She appeared in the Glasgow Alhambra,s Five Past Eight Shows Born in Budapest she hadit all Looks,Personality ,and an Awsesome talent
HaywardMusic
I had the pleasure to accompany Eve Boswell a couple of times, during one Summer Season at Mablethorpe (Lincs. UK) where I was MD at the (now) Haven Holiday Centre, Golden Sands.
Having played for her at the holiday camp, she requested for me to accompany her again when she appeared as the "star" guest at the Dunes Theatre, on Mablethorpe foreshore during the Carnival Week.
A very genuine person, lovely personality.... and very professional. Playing piano for her is one of my very happy memories.
HaywardMusic
@K M G De Mortimer McIntosh What a lovely, natural person. She was really kind.
K M G De Mortimer McIntosh
Thank you very much. Eve was my dearest grandma.