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.
I'm Beginning to See the Light
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
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
The lyrics of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" by Ink Spots describe a transformation in the singer's romantic perspective. At the outset of the song, the singer lists several things they have never been interested in before, including moonlit skies, fireflies, afterglow, and candlelight on the mistletoe. However, as they gaze into their lover's eyes, they begin to see the light, suggesting that they are experiencing an epiphany of sorts. As the song progresses, the singer describes how their relationship has changed them, causing a spark that ignited a "four-alarm fire." They start to look at the world in a new way, seeing rainbows in their wine and discovering a newfound passion for making love by lantern shine.
The lyrics of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" tap into a common theme in romantic relationships: that of transforming a previously jaded or cynical perspective into one of newfound wonder and joy. The song also demonstrates how love can change a person's perspective on the world, leading them to see things in a way they never have before. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the transformative power of love, suggesting that it has the capacity to ignite new passions and bring light to previously dark places.
Line by Line Meaning
I never cared much for moonlit skies
I never had an interest in the beauty of a night sky illuminated by the moon.
I never wink back at fireflies
I never bothered to acknowledge the presence of fireflies.
But now that the stars are in your eyes
But now that I am looking into your eyes which seem to have stars in them, I understand the allure of moonlit skies.
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand something that was previously unclear to me.
I never went in for afterglow
I never found pleasure in the glow of the sky after the sun has set.
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
I never found romance in being under the mistletoe with candlelight shining above.
But now when you turn the lamp down low
But now that you turn the light down low, the setting is intimate and romantic.
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand something that was previously unclear to me.
Used to ramble through the park
I used to walk aimlessly in the park.
Shadowboxing in the dark
I used to fight imaginary opponents in the darkness.
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 now grown into an intense and all-consuming love.
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never had the experience of making love illuminated by a lantern.
I never saw rainbows in my wine
I never had the pleasure of seeing colorful reflections in my wine.
But now that your lips are burning mine
But now that we are passionately kissing, my life is filled with color and excitement.
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand something that was previously unclear to me.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, DON GEORGE, JOHNNIE HODGES, HARRY JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TorMax9
I never cared much for moonlit skies
I never winked back at fire flies
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 never cared much for moonlit skies
I never winked back at fire flies
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, boy
Beginning to see the light, boy
Beginning to see the light
Now that your lips they are burning on mine
I'm beginning to see the light
@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
@suntzu6122
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
@thanhnhanphanle137
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
@paulhill1632
62 years ago, my parents bought two albums I remember. The Ink Spots and Jack Teagarden.
@keys4words
My grandfather used to sing this. He died in 2018 at 104 years old.
@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
@superloose5632
Bill and Ella should’ve recorded a lot more together as they were a great vocal match...
@supremetarantulasorcerer165
And now...I can officially relate to this song.
Thanks Bill Kenny and friends,Ella Fitz,Fats,porter,thanks for helping me through my loneliness,it feels good listening to your songs now knowing I can relate to them with my little cherry, I know your not going to see this in heaven but I still want to thank you guys,it's a wonderful world truly.Your wonderful people,all my love.