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 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 red
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
But I'll just hang around
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 sure don't care
Oh, the object of my affection
Can change my complexion
From white to a rosy red
Anytime he holds my hand
And tells me that he's mine
The object of my affection
Can change my complexion
From white to a rosy red
Anytime he holds my hand
Oh, and tells me that he's mine, all mine
There are many boys who can thrill me
And some who can chill me
But I'll just hang around
And keep acting like a clown
Until he says he's mine
Now I'm not afraid he gonna leave me
'Cause 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 sure don't care
The object of my affection
Can change my complexion
From white to a rosy red
Anytime he holds my hand
Oh, and tells me that he's mine, all mine
Well, that's mighty fine, Bozzies!
Fine enough in fact for one more chorus
Okay, Jimmy
The object of my affection
Can change my complexion
From white to a rosy red
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
But I'll just hang around
And keep acting like a clown
'Til he says he's mine
Now I'm not afraid he's gonna 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 sure don't care
The object of my affection
Can change my complexion
From white to a rosy red
Anytime he holds my hand
And tells me that he's mine
If after all I said
My face starts turning red
Don't start teasing, I got a reason
The object of my affection
In The Boswell Sisters' "The Object of My Affection," the lyrics describe the intense emotions and physical reactions that the singer experiences when in the presence of a particular individual. The mention of the "object" indicates that this person is an object of desire or admiration. The singer's complexion changes from white to a rosy red whenever the object of her affection holds her hand and tells her that he's hers. The lyrics indicate that there are other boys who can thrill her and some who can even chill her, but she will continue to act like a clown until her desired beau declares his interest in her.
The singer insists that she is not afraid that her object of affection will leave her because she trusts him implicitly. The idea of trust is further emphasized when the lyrics state that he can go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants without causing her concern. The object of her affection has earned her trust and she feels safe in the knowledge that he will not betray her.
The song became a popular hit in 1934 and has since been covered by numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole. Interestingly, the song was originally intended to be a slow ballad, but the Boswell Sisters decided to sing it in an up-tempo swing style, giving it a playful and lighthearted feel.
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 become emotional
From white to a rosy red
From pale to a red color
Anytime he holds my hand and tells me that he's mine
Whenever he shows me affection and confirms that we are together
There are many boys who can thrill me
There are many other guys who can excite me
And some who can chill me
And some who can scare me
But I'll just hang around
But I will remain committed to the one I love
And keep acting like a clown
And continue to act silly or foolish to please him
Until he says he's mine
Until he confirms that he belongs to me
Now I'm not afraid that he'll leave me
I am confident that he won't depart from me
He's not the kind who takes a dare
He's not the type to take risks or challenges
But instead I trust him implicitly
Instead, I have complete faith and trust in him
He can go where he wants to go
He has the freedom to do whatever he desires
Do what he wants to do, I sure don't care
I don't mind what he does as long as he's happy and loyal to me
Oh, the object of my affection
Oh, the person I am in love with
Well, that's mighty fine, Bozzies!
That's great, Boswell Sisters!
Fine enough in fact for one more chorus
Great enough to sing another verse
If after all I said
If despite what I said earlier
My face starts turning red
I start blushing or feeling emotional
Don't start teasing, I got a reason
Please don't make fun of me, there's a reason for it
And tells me that he's mine, all mine
And confirms that he belongs to me and no one else
'Til he says he's mine
Until he confirms that he belongs to me
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