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.
Java Jive
Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
I love java, sweet and hot
Whoops! Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot
Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
And I cut a rug till I'm snug in a jug
A slice of onion and a raw one, draw one.
Waiter, waiter, percolator!
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
Boston bean, soy bean
Lima bean, string bean.
You know that I'm not keen for a bean
Unless it is a cheery coffee bean.
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
I love java, sweet and hot
Whoops! Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot
Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
Oh, slip me a slug from the wonderful mug
And I cut a rug till I'm snug in a jug
Drop me a nickel in my pot, Joe, Taking it slow.
Waiter, waiter, percolator!
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup
At the heart of the Ink Spots' song Java Jive is a love for coffee, tea and the enjoyment of life that comes with it. The song features playful lyrics that serve to underscore the love for a good cup of coffee or tea, regardless of its origin or form. The lyrics describe the joy one feels when sipping on a cup of coffee or tea, and the catchy beat of the song serves to create a feel-good ambiance, the likes of which you might experience in a cozy cafe. The song also references to different types of beans such as Boston bean, soy bean, Lima bean, and string bean which is a clever way to continually reference coffee beans.
The song’s quirky determination to celebrate coffee and tea is infectious, uplifting, and catchy. Its lyrics add a sense of playful humor that celebrates the joy of life's pleasures. In essence, the song is a celebration of the simple things that make life so enjoyable. It provides a reminder to slow down and take life’s pleasures while enjoying a cuppa, and appreciating the simple things in life that bring us joy.
Line by Line Meaning
I love coffee, I love tea
The singer has a strong affinity for coffee and tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
They also enjoy the 'java jive', which reciprocates their affection
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
The singer connects coffee, tea, and dancing as equally enjoyable activities
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
The artist desires multiple servings of their preferred beverages
I love java, sweet and hot
They enjoy the taste of java when it's prepared to their liking
Whoops! Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot
The singer compares themselves to a coffee pot, gleefully willing to make and consume more coffee
Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot
They'd like someone to hand them the coffee pot so that they can pour themselves coffee
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
The artist repeats their desire for multiple servings of coffee
Oh, slip me a slug from the wonderful mug
The artist requests a portion of coffee from a mug that they find delightful
And I cut a rug till I'm snug in a jug
The artist's enjoyment of coffee inspires them to dance/have fun
A slice of onion and a raw one, draw one.
This line's meaning is unclear.
Waiter, waiter, percolator!
The artist wants coffee and uses this phrase as a playful request for more
Boston bean, soy bean
The singer lists different types of beans
Lima bean, string bean.
They are not interested in these types of beans
You know that I'm not keen for a bean
They make it clear that they are not interested in beans in general
Unless it is a cheery coffee bean.
The only bean they could be interested in is one that makes cheerful coffee
Drop me a nickel in my pot, Joe, Taking it slow.
This line's meaning is unclear.
Waiter, waiter, percolator!
The singer wants more coffee and uses this phrase again as a playful request
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MILTON DRAKE, BEN OAKLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thepumapants
Today a great man died, my grandfather; Cyril Harry Stephenson.
Now the significance of this is great to all of us, simply put; he was a man whom you, me and everyone can learn from, he was the most amazing person you could ever wish to meet!
He taught me how to be a gentleman.
He taught me how to be kind.
He taught me how to be strong.
And he taught me how to be respectful.
And for that Cyril, I'm truly grateful!
It's a shame that ALL people did not have the pleasure to meet you in your life, if everyone could live the way you did, we would have a better world to live in...
You'll be forever missed Granddad, forever loved and forever cherished...
Now if you'll be kind enough to listen to his favorite song, from a time when men and women cared about their fellow human.
And his favorite song, which he sung every single day, was this; the Java Jive.
@wanderreis
Java Jive
(Ink Spots)
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup
I love java, sweet and hot
Whoops, Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot
Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup
Oh, slip me a slug from the wonderful mug
And I cut a rug till I'm snug in a jug
A slice of onion and a raw one, draw one
Waiter, waiter, percolator
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup
Boston beans, Soy beans (yeah)
Green beans, Cabbage n' greens (home cookin!)
I'm not keen up on a bean
Unless that is a cheery cheery bean, boy
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup
I love java, sweet and hot
Whoops, Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot
Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup
Oh, Throw me a slug from the wonderful mug
And I cut a rug till I'm snug in a jug
Drop me a nickel in my pot, Joe, takin' it slow
Waiter, waiter, percolator
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup
@zealheals
Thank u for posting this🙃
I heard something different...
*1:25
Boston beans, Soy beans (yeah)
Green beans, Cabbage n greens (home cookin!)
I'm not keen up on a bean
Unless that is a cheery cheery beeean, boy
🙂
@krazymouse100
I'm 68 years old and I still can see my Dad and his 3 brothers and GrandPa all harmonizing in the living room to this when I was just a kid...Great memories!
@skylinev1-76
Aww..❤❤❤
@RaptorMocha
G.P. Pilon my dad is 72 and im only 15, he occasionally will sing some oldies when he thinks no one is around, this is one of them
@krazymouse100
Your Dad rocks...well maybe not rocks but definitely my kind of guy! The old music is pretty good stuff, cruise through the 50's and 60 music too!
@blunk778
G.P. Pilon that's a beautiful image man
@jeffrobdine
I'm 67 and I remember my Mom and Dad listening to the Ink Spots at least once a week !
@reedyemma
I'm 19 so I didnt grow up on this, but it always reminds me of my grandad. He used to sing this all the time, so much so that both me, my brother and my sister know all the words. I didnt even realise it was a real song until he passed away and i stumbled on it. It always makes me smile
@ryderflips7287
I agree, this song makes me smile. Say how is your life going right now?
@muddled811
I’m so glad you have a tie to your grandad🙂
@BronzeDragon01
And now you're 32, time to remember again your Granpa!