From New Orleans, they were classically trained and switched over to jazz as they grew up along with the form. First recorded in 1925, they went on to play vaudeville and ended up on radio in California. After being heard coast to coast on one of the first nationwide radio hookups, they became stars of radio in NYC headlining both their own programs, as well as working on shows with Bing Crosby and The Mills Brothers until the trio disbanded in 1936, mainly due to their marriages. They also appeared in many films of the time. (See youtube)
Connie Boswell, who later changed the spelling of her name to Connee, continued as a solo singer after the demise of the group, influencing singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. She did all this despite being unable to walk alone due to childhood polio and other back injuries.
"There is only one person I ever tried to sing like and that person was Connee Boswell."
Ella Fitzgerald, NBC News interview
"Connee Boswell is, without a doubt, the most widely imitated singer of all time."
Frank Sinatra
The best website on them is www.bozzies.com.
www.TheBoswellSisters.com
www.Facebook.com/theboswellsisters
www.Twitter.com/thesistasdotcom
Crazy People
The Boswell Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crazy people like me go crazy over people like you
Goofy people, daffy people
Daffy people like me go crazy over things you do.
When we are under the moon
The moon above
You got me actin' just like a loony
Crazy people, crazy people
Crazy people like me go crazy over people like you, bah!...
Crazy people like people like you
Crazy people like the things you do
When we are under the moon, the moon above,
You got me actin' just like a loon,
It must be love!
Crazy people, like people, like you...
The Boswell Sisters' "Crazy People" is a playful love song that expresses the craziness that love can bring. The lyrics emphasize the idea of people going crazy over someone they love and the wacky things they do. The repeated phrase "crazy people like me" suggests that the singer recognizes their own eccentricity and irrational behavior when it comes to being in love.
The lines "when we are under the moon, the moon above, you got me actin' just like a loon, it must be love" suggest that the singer recognizes the influence that the object of their affection has over them. The moon symbolizes romance and is often associated with driving people's emotions wild. The singer acknowledges that their behavior is "crazy," but they also suggest that it is a natural part of the intensity of their love.
Overall, the song is a lighthearted celebration of the way love can make people feel and act. The lyrics are playful and whimsical, capturing the joyful madness that often comes with being in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Crazy people, crazy people
People who are a little bit crazy, like myself
Crazy people like me go crazy over people like you
People like me who are a little bit crazy are often attracted to people like you
Goofy people, daffy people
People who are silly or foolish, like myself
Daffy people like me go crazy over things you do.
People like me who are silly or foolish can't help but go crazy over the things you do
When we are under the moon
When we are together and the moon is shining down on us
The moon above
The moon that is in the sky above us
You got me actin' just like a loony
You have me acting crazy or foolish
It must be love, sweet love
I must be in love with you
Crazy people like people like you
People who are a little bit crazy are often attracted to people like you
Crazy people like the things you do
People who are a little bit crazy can't help but love the things you do
Crazy people, like people, like you...
People who are a little bit crazy, just like you
Contributed by Camilla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gary Morris
The incomparable Boswells. Their harmonies are practically telepathic - great artistry rendered effortlessly. Fabulous. Thanks for posting.
Odi Etamo
I agree, except that I bet that effortlessness was only achieved after incredible amounts of time spent in practice, study, and discipline.
Richard Graham
This is from the movie "The Big Broadcast (of 1932)". The last half of this movie is a radio broadcast - besides this, we get Cab Calloway, the Mills Brothers, Donald Novis, Kate Smith, Vincent Lopez, Arthur Tracy, and Bing Crosby. Beyond greatness..
Gydinglight12
Wow! We not only get the Sisters. we get to see and hear the great Norman Brokenshire, with his beautiful voice.
Lars Carlsen
He was dragged by a train. and died. I think..had the best voice !!
genesclean1
They need to be re discovered and honored...
There is no one quite like them,
A Peekskill, NY Fan
Bug!!
They are part of my family
Fikry Muhammad Reza Al-Hasin
@Bug!! Wow that's so cool! I've been a fan of them for over a year now!
Bug!!
@Fikry Muhammad Reza Al-Hasin That's awesome!!
Ken Lee
I have 5 CDs of their music. These were released under the Nostalgia Arts label by an indie jazz music company based in Copenhagen, Denmark. There is also a 2CD compilation of Connee mostly as a solo singer on the Jasmine label (a UK public domain label). Other than these CDs, there are some compilations on records but you won't get as many songs as there are on CDs. That's about all you'll get for this group, I'm afraid - no lavish box set with great photos and songs in fantastic sound-quality.