While numerous personnel changes have taken place within the group in its 60+ years of existence, the familiar close harmonies remain The Ink Spots' stock in trade. Making up the current group are bass singer-narrator Harold Winley, second lead Sonny Hatchett, lead tenor Grant Kitchings; and the newest Ink Spot, baritone and guitarist, Morris Dow.
The Ink Spots' story begins in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1932, when four young men - Deek Watson, Charles Fuqua, Orville "Hoppy" Jones and Jerry Daniels - formed the first version of the group. The quartet performed as the Riff Brothers and the Percolating Puppies before settling on the Ink Spots name. In search of a recording contract, the group headed to New York City, where they met up with singer Bill Kenny, who replaced Daniels as the group's lead tenor in 1936. Three years later, The Ink Spots had their first million-selling record, If I Didn't Care. The song, which would be their biggest hit, ultimately sold 19 million copies.
Kenny left the group for a solo career in 1945. The replacement was Jim Nabbie and the hits continued over the next decade; I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire, To Each His Own, My Prayer, I'll Never Smile Again, A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening, Java Jive, Maybe, Into Each Life Some Rain May Fall, We Three, It's A Sin To Tell A Lie, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Prisoner of Love ... and on and on. After the remaining original members left the group, it was up to Nabbie to keep things going. Frustrated by acts billing themselves as The Ink Spots, Nabbie acquired the rights to the Ink Spots' name and registered it as a trademark. While the frequency of hits slowed in the mid '50's, The Ink Spots' influence was heard in the many doo-wop vocal groups formed during this period, as well as many groups, like the Temptations, which would come along later. The Ink Spots' musical impact was recognized formally in 1987 when inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. They have been inducted into the Apollo Hall of Fame and, in 1997, into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Nabbie and the rest of the Ink Spots continued to tour, in the neighborhood of some 200 dates a year. Especially pleasing were the 10 to 20 college dates the group would perform each year, where young people, many of whose parents weren't born at the time of The Ink Spots' first hits, would get their first chance to hear the quartet. Nabbie claimed that he was always amazed that younger audiences would accept the "old timers" music so enthusiastically.
In September 1992, Jim Nabbie, "Mr. Ink Spots" for 47 years, passed away, just before the start of an European tour. The Ink Spots were faced suddenly with the prospect of carrying on without their longtime friend and colleague.
More recently, the band has been introduced to a new, or perhaps, younger audience through the highly successful 'Fallout ' series of RPGs, which features the songs 'I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire' (Fallout 3) and 'Maybe' (Fallout).
But carry on the group has! Grant, who had been with The Ink Spots many years ago, was welcomed immediately by audiences with standing ovations. And so it appears that The Ink Spots will remain a viable musical entity for many years to come.
The Ink Spots Bios:
HAROLD WINLEY
Bass Singer/Narrator
His association with The Ink Spots goes back more than fifty years; before he became an original member of THE CLOVERS. It is now more than twenty-five years that he has been performing with THE INK SPOTS on a continual basis. The deep resonance of his voice has thrilled audiences worldwide. He is the "intellectual" of the group and is interested in everything and anything . . . but photography and music are his passions. Born in Washington, DC where most of his family still resides, he was a resident of New York City for many years. He now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
SONNY HATCHETT
Second Lead/Second Tenor
Sonny is the Group's comedian . . . both on-stage and off-stage . . . and has appeared as a single artist nationally and internationally. Sonny has many comedy albums to his credit. He is also a songwriter and comedy writer and you'll often see his smiling face in movies and commercials filmed in the Miami area. He has been a member of THE INK SPOTS for more than twenty-five years and has earned his nickname of "Twinkle Toes" for his intricate steps on stage. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he now makes his home in the Fort Lauderdale area.
HERMAN DENBY
Lead Tenor
When Grant Kitchings (lead singer 1995-2001) became ill while performing with THE INK SPOTS on the Mississippi Queen, Herman responded immediately and was on the next flight to New Orleans. Those were big shoes to fill, but he did so very well. We are proud to have Herman as a permanent member of the group now that Grant has sadly passed. Herman is a very modest man but he is a published poet, a writer and a songwriter. He was an original member of the "Doo-Wop Hall of Fame" group THE SWALLOWS and wrote most of their songs. He is a life long friend of Sonny Hatchett. He was also born in Baltimore but now makes New York City his home.
MORRIS DOW
Baritone/Guitarist
A native of Philadelphia, he now makes his home in Baltimore, Maryland. He has scored music for many motion pictures and television and radio commercials. Also known as one of the finest jazz harmonica players in the country today, he is a guitarist extraordinare. He is also a writer and has recently had a beautiful book published. Before joining THE INK SPOTS, he toured with many famous artists including Jimmy McGriff and Nancy Wilson. He also worked with Herb Kenny, the brother of THE INK SPOTS' original lead singer, Bill Kenny.
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heard they crowded the floor
Couldn't bear it without you
Don't get around much anymore
Though I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
Been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
Don't get around much anymore
The Ink Spots’ song “Don't Get Around Much Anymore” is a heartfelt tune that tells the story of a person who seems to be experiencing a bit of isolation after a failed relationship. The song is sung in the first person, with the lyrics expressing the sadness and longing felt by the singer. The opening lines, “Missed the Saturday dance, Heard they crowded the floor,” sets the tone for the song. The singer doesn’t want to go to the dance without their former significant other.
In the second verse of the song, the singer describes how they made an attempt to go to a club but didn’t make it in because they knew they would be asked about their former partner. The emotions expressed in the lyrics are raw and honest, and they convey a sense of loneliness and longing. The chorus of the song, “Don't get around much anymore,” is repeated several times throughout the song and serves as a reminder of the singer's current state of isolation.
In summary, “Don't Get Around Much Anymore” is a melancholic tune that expresses the feelings of isolation and longing. The song’s lyrics are a testament to the emotional complexity of failed relationships and how they can leave us feeling empty and alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Missed the Saturday dance
I didn't go to the dance on Saturday
Heard they crowded the floor
I heard that the dance floor was crowded
Couldn't bear it without you
I couldn't stand being there without you
Don't get around much anymore
I don't go out very much these days
Though I'd visit the club
I thought about going to the club
Got as far as the door
But I only made it to the door
They'd have asked me about you
I knew someone would have asked me about you
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
I feel more relaxed now, my mind is at ease
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
But why bring back memories?
Been invited on dates
I have been asked on dates
Might have gone but what for?
I could have gone, but what's the point?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
It's completely different without you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARMEN LOMBARDO, CLARENCE E. TODD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bubsd487
[Intro]
When I'm not playing Solitaire
I take a book down from the shelf
And what with programs on the air
I keep pretty much to myself
[Verse 1]
Missed the Saturday dance
Heard they crowded the floor
Couldn't bear it without you
Don't get around much anymore
[Verse 2]
Thought I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Don't get around much anymore
[Bridge]
Oh darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless, why stir up memories?
[Verse 3]
Been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for
Awfully different without you
Don't get around much anymore
[Piano Solo]
[Bridge]
Oh darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless, why stir up memories?
[Verse 3]
Been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for
Awfully different without you
Don't get around much anymore
[Outro]
Don't get around much anymore
Don't get around much anymore
@brianpatrickofficial
I’m a 13 year old boy. I love this type of music and older than this too. I play the piano and enjoy reading and writing too. The Ink Spots are my all time favorite out of anything or anyone else.
When I hear this song I’m particular...”when I’m not playing solitaire, I take a book down from the shelf”...it makes me think of how I am kinda a social outcast and will probably be lonely the rest of my life. But that’s not exactly bad. This song makes me think of me in at least 25-30 years living in a small cabin in the mountains living a simple and lonely life with only what I need; a kitchen and dining room, living room, bathroom, guest room maybe, a master bedroom, a study, and a large enough basement I can use as a fallout shelter...
I will stick to my studies and pray to God and go out occasionally and keep a small farm...it can be a good and peaceful life, and hopefully I can do all I can to go to Heaven some day.
I also want to be a doctor so I can find somewhere rural where it’s not a far drive from my house to go somewhere small in a small country town. It can happen if I try. Never lose hope that living a lonely and simple life can be a good life. Who needs wealth when you can just be happy with what you have and with your small little rustic country cabin in a mountain?
Being a doctor might make me a lot of money but it’s not all for me. I don’t know, I was really just thinking about how lonely but joyful and peaceful this music makes me feel. I love the Ink Spots...personally, I would like to live in the 1980s because it was such an interesting time period...the Ink Spots being from the late 1930s through 1940s and 1950s wouldn’t have been too long ago from the 1980s and it would be very nice.
@pobrepaco
When I was a kid, this is what my parents listened to on the old Zenith radio their songs have been permanently ingrained in my brain----Thanks Mom for letting me listen with you!!!
@wokap
How you holding up now bruce?
@phex9528
glad some people can smile to this song
@user-zv7yb4yp9g
lovely story sir
@somebodyelse5294
Nice
@barbararichmond2167
@@phex9528Oh, yes.... especially when you have some good memories of this song....... My mother walked around the house singing this old song and now, eons later, I was awaken to this song in my head.
@Kharkovkid
45 years on I can still hear this song and see the Old Mans pipe tobacco smoke rising over the back of the easy chair. DO NOT DISTURB!
@SL-mp7xb
My nana was always humming and shuffling her feet in a quick two step to the Ink Spots. Miss you forever, Nana, and I still know where I get it from.
@SweetsProductions
knockin back some sunset sarsaparilla taking in the radioactive scenery that lies ahead.
@deaner1722
SweetsProductions great comment bro, fellow vault dweller