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
The Darktown Strutters' Ball
The Boswell Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
BETTER BE READY ‘BOUT HALF PAST EIGHT
NOW HONEY DON'T BE LATE
I WANNA BE THERE WHEN THAT BAND STARTS PLAYING
JUST REMEMBER WHEN WE GET THERE HONEY
BLUE STEPS I'M GONNA HAVE THEM ALL
DANCE ALL ? MY SHOES WHEN THEY PLAY THOSE JELLY ROLL BLUES
TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE DARKTOWN STRUTTERS BALL
The Boswell Sisters's song, The Darktown Strutters Ball, is a classic example of the roaring 20s jazz era popularized by groups with mixtures of vocal harmonies and swing rhythms. The lyrics are a direct invitation to a dance party in "Darktown" where music and dancing are the main attractions. The use of "taxi" as a mode of transportation suggests a societal embrace of modernization, as the classic horse-drawn carriages were progressively being replaced by automobiles. The lyrics also highlight the importance of being punctual, evidenced by the urgency in the phrase "better be ready 'bout half past eight," indicating that the singer is keen on being there when the music starts playing.
The lines "I wanna be there when that band starts playing, just remember when we get there honey, blues steps I'm gonna have them all," poignantly express the excitement that the singer has for the music, ready to let loose and dance till closing time. The dancing style, "blues steps," is an amalgam of footwork and body movement that's specific to blues and jazz music. The phrase "dance all zan" ironically refers to the level of energy the singer intends to exhibit when the band picks up the tunes.
Line by Line Meaning
I'LL BE DOWN TO GET YOU IN A TAXI HONEY
I will arrive in a taxi to pick you up, my dear
BETTER BE READY ‘BOUT HALF PAST EIGHT
Please be prepared to leave around 8:30 pm
NOW HONEY DON'T BE LATE
Please do not arrive late, my dear
I WANNA BE THERE WHEN THAT BAND STARTS PLAYING
I wish to be present when the band begins to play
JUST REMEMBER WHEN WE GET THERE HONEY
Please remember this, my dear, when we arrive at the venue
BLUE STEPS I'M GONNA HAVE THEM ALL
I plan to execute perfect steps on the dance floor
DANCE ALL ? MY SHOES WHEN THEY PLAY THOSE JELLY ROLL BLUES
I will dance vigorously, causing my shoes to wear out, when the band plays the Jelly Roll Blues
TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE DARKTOWN STRUTTERS BALL
All this will take place at the Darktown Strutters Ball tomorrow night
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SHELTON BROOKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Albert Plus Alexander Sandoval
on Stop the Sun, Stop the Moon
How the hell do you not have the lyrics just pay attention to what they say you idoits