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
Stardust
The Boswell Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steals across the meadows of my heart
High up in the sky the little stars climb
Always reminding me that we're apart
You wander down the lane and far away
Leaving me a song that will not die
Love is now the stardust of yesterday
The music of the years gone by.
Sometimes I wonder, how I spend
The lonely nights
Dreaming of a song
The melody
Haunts my reverie
And I am once again with you
When our love was new
And each kiss an inspiration
But that was long ago
And now my consolation is in the stardust of a song
Besides the garden wall, when stars are bright
You are in my arms
The nightingale
Tells his fairytale
Of paradise, where roses grew
Though I dream in vain
In my heart it will remain
My stardust melody
The memory of love's refrain.
The Boswell Sisters’ song Stardust is a haunting and romantic ballad that asks listeners to reflect on a love that has long since passed. The song's first few lines show that the singer is inspired by the coming of night and the stars in the sky. They watch the stars climb higher and higher, reminding them of the distance between them and their past love. The songwriters move from talking about the stars to speaking directly to their lover who has left them, telling them that they’ve left a song that will never die.
The second verse gives us more insight into the singer's state of mind. They wonder how they spend their lonely nights dreaming of a song that uses melodies that they remember from the time when they were with their lover. Even though those memories are distant, the lyrics suggest that they still feel the touch of their lover and the inspiration of each kiss. The memory of that time is the singer's only consolation now; they dream of being once again with their lover when their love was new, and each kiss was an inspiration. The song ends with a sense of sadness as the singer admits that even though they dream in vain of being together once again, they will always carry the memory of their past love with them.
Line by Line Meaning
And now the purple dusk of twilight time
As the sun sets and darkness approaches, I am reminded of sadness and longing
Steals across the meadows of my heart
My sadness and longing are pervasive and affect every aspect of my being
High up in the sky the little stars climb
The stars, while beautiful, serve as a constant reminder of the distance between myself and my loved one
Always reminding me that we're apart
No matter how much time has passed, the separation from my loved one is unrelenting and unchanging
You wander down the lane and far away
My loved one has left me and gone far away, but their memory lingers
Leaving me a song that will not die
My loved one has left me with memories, including a song that will continue to play in my heart and mind
Love is now the stardust of yesterday
The love that once was has now become a distant memory, like stardust that has settled far away
The music of the years gone by.
The memories of our time together and the love we shared are preserved in the music that was present during our time together
Sometimes I wonder, how I spend
I often think about how I spend my time now that my loved one is gone
The lonely nights
The nights are especially difficult for me, as I am left alone with my thoughts and memories
Dreaming of a song
I often dream about the music that reminds me of my loved one and our time together
The melody
The music itself is what I hold on to, as it brings me comfort and reminds me of happier times
Haunts my reverie
The music and memories are ever-present in my mind, and continue to affect me even in my moments of reflection or daydreaming
And I am once again with you
The music and memories have the power to transport me back in time to when my loved one was with me
When our love was new
The time when we first fell in love and everything was new and exciting
And each kiss an inspiration
Our love for each other was intense and every kiss felt like a source of inspiration
But that was long ago
Those times are far in the past and can never be recaptured
And now my consolation is in the stardust of a song
The music that reminds me of our love is now the only source of comfort and solace for me
Besides the garden wall, when stars are bright
In certain moments, such as when stars shine brightly, I am reminded of one specific memory of being near a garden with my loved one
You are in my arms
In that specific memory, I am holding my loved one close to me
The nightingale
A bird known for its beautiful song and often associated with love and romance
Tells his fairytale
The bird's song tells a story of romantic paradise, but it is not a story that can come true for me
Of paradise, where roses grew
The bird's song paints a picture of a perfect and idyllic setting, filled with beauty and love
Though I dream in vain
Despite my hopes and dreams, the reality is that my loved one is far away and our love cannot be recaptured
In my heart it will remain
Regardless of what happens in the future, my love for my loved one will always remain in my heart
My stardust melody
The music that reminds me of my loved one and our love is like a melody made of stardust - a beautiful and delicate thing that cannot be touched or held
The memory of love's refrain.
The music is a reminder of the love that we shared, and the memories that will never fade away
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER GENTRY, JOHN HUTCHINSON DEAN, MATTHEW EVERITT, SIMON IAN WHITE, STUART BLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Rayo_Rob_No.17
Wow, never heard this till recently! What a unique arrangement but, their harmony is always on point and achingly beautiful.
@briansinclair4961
one of the best versions of stardust
@2ndviolinist
I agree. I also like Hoagie Carmichael's simple version. Thank you for listening.
@Pimp-Master
Here because of DF’s
Book.
Yeah the harmony is really something. They’re doing stuff that normally isn’t allowed in pop music, haha.
@2ndviolinist
Who is DF? The Boswell Sisters were certainly the most inventive jazz group ever. Thank you for listening.
@Pimp-Master
Second violin:
I can’t find your response.
DF= Donald Fagen, “Eminent
Hipsters,” 2013.
@everybodylovesmybaby
Nice audio on this one, 2nd violinist! Controversial arrangement, amazing vocals.
@2ndviolinist
everybodylovesmybaby I doubt Hoagy minded. Hope he got some residuals.
@aaaardy
This was most likely arranged by Martha Boswell. The sisters were classically trained instrumentalists, and Martha was noted for her way-out-there arrangements.
@AlterationZombie
Que música tan bella!