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
Object of My Affection
The Boswell Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can change my complexion
From white to a rosy read
Anytime he holds my hand and tells me that he's mine
There are many boys who can thrill me
And some who can chill me
And keep acting like a clown
Until he says he's mine
Now I'm not afraid that he'll leave me
He's not the kind who takes a dare
But instead I trust him implicitly
He can go where he wants to go
Do what he wants to do
I don't care
The object of my affection
Can change my complexion
From white to a rosy read
Anytime he holds my hand and tells me that he's mine
The Boswell Sisters' song "Object of My Affection" is a delightful love song that captures the feelings of infatuation and the hope of becoming exclusive with someone. The lyrics convey the idea that the singer's love interest has the power to affect her physical appearance and mood. The phrase "object of my affection" suggests that she is deeply enamored with this person and that he has become the center of her attention.
The opening line, "The object of my affection can change my complexion from white to a rosy red," illustrates the level of impact this person has on her. The simple act of holding hands and declaring love is enough to make her feel overwhelmed with emotion. The singer is aware that other boys can excite or scare her, but she only has eyes for this one person. She is willing to wait for him to make the first move, and she trusts him completely.
The lyrics paint a picture of a young woman who is smitten with her love interest and relishes the feeling of being in love. The song's overall tone is light-hearted and cheerful, which is a characteristic of many of The Boswell Sisters' songs.
Line by Line Meaning
The object of my affection
The person I am in love with
Can change my complexion
Can make me blush or show emotion
From white to a rosy read
From a pale complexion to a red flush
Anytime he holds my hand and tells me that he's mine
Whenever he shows affection or love towards me
There are many boys who can thrill me
There are many guys who can excite me
And some who can chill me
And some who can scare me or cause fear
But I'll just hang around
But I'll just stay with the person I love
And keep acting like a clown
And act silly or foolish to entertain them
Until he says he's mine
Until he commits to being in a relationship with me
Now I'm not afraid that he'll leave me
I am not worried that he will abandon me
He's not the kind who takes a dare
He is not a risk-taker or someone who seeks thrill
But instead I trust him implicitly
But I have complete trust and faith in him
He can go where he wants to go
He can travel or explore wherever he wants
Do what he wants to do
And pursue whatever interests him
I don't care
I am not bothered or concerned by it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: H. COY POE, JIMMIE GRIER, PINKY TOMLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
2ndviolinist
They are the most "advanced" in their harmonies of all the trio groups I'm aware of. I think it is impossible to discount the influence of playing classical works.
Esmee Phillips
I agree. Their scatting is in the class of a Paganini cadenza- breathtaking and uplifting, never overdone.
EARL TROMBLEY
3 dislikes? Who would look up something like this and then not like it. The Boswells were great. Influenced the Andrews Sisters.
2ndviolinist
Tin ears. The Andrews wished they were 1/2 as good.
Sarah Giove
Haters gonna hate 🤷🏼♀️
Frankie Bowie
Easy now, maybe they have fat thumbs.
Benoit Vanhees
@Sarah Giove I hate haters... Oops, that's a difficult one...
Philip Flight
Clearly a massive influence upon the Andrews Sisters as acknowledged by the latter. Wonderful harmonies. I'm a 30 year old male and I love this stuff.
2ndviolinist
+pisces69
If you listen closely, you can hear that the Boswells are far and away better singers than the Andrews Sisters. The Andrews Sisters said they were inspired by and not quite on the same level as the Boswells. To my pretty well-trained ear, they were the best and certainly the most innovative female trio. Thank you for listening and check out the large amount of the Boswell Sisters on YouTube.
Honey Bee
+pisces69 They're way better! They sing with soul