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
Was That The Human Thing To Do?
The Boswell Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would ever treat another human so unkind
Didn't you sneak away and leave a note behind?
Was that the human thing to do?
Always thought that yours was such a heart of gold
But after I was sold on all the tales you told
Didn't you let your kisses turn from hot to cold?
Now I'm not trying to patch things up
What's been done must be
Lord, I wouldn't even treat a pup
The way you treated me
How could anybody be so darned unfair?
You let me hang around till I learned to care
Didn't you even laugh and leave me cryin' there?
Was that the human thing to do?
To err is human, I heard you say
Forgiveness is divine
But all the sweet things that you may say
Can't mend this heart of mine
Never thought that anyone in their right mind
Could ever treat another human so unkind
Didn't you sneak away and leave a note behind?
Was that the human thing to do?
Always thought that yours was such a heart of gold
But after I was sold on all the tales you told
Didn't you let your kisses turn from hot to cold?
Was that the human thing to do?
Now I just want to be understood
(scat)
Won't you tell me how could anybody be so darn unfair
You let me hang around till I learned to care
Didn't you even laugh and leave me cryin' there?
Was that the human thing to do?
Was that the human thing to do?
The Boswell Sisters' "Was That The Human Thing To Do?" is a song that delves into the theme of betrayal and betrayal's aftermath. The lyrics of the song are addressed to a former lover who has acted heartlessly towards the singer. The song begins with the singer acknowledging the fact that they never thought anyone in their right mind would treat another human being so unkindly. The use of the word 'right mind' in the opening line of the song emphasizes the gravity of the situation and how unacceptable the behavior of the former lover was. The second verse reveals that the former lover had previously been referred to as having a 'heart of gold,' but that the singer was sold on tales the former lover had told them. The former lover had behaved cruelly towards the singer by allowing their kisses to turn from 'hot to cold.' The question asked in the chorus, 'Was that the human thing to do?' serves as a reflection of the singer's disbelief and disgust at the former lover's behavior.
The song's bridge could be interpreted as an attempt to brush off the former lover's apologies, with lines like "To err is human, I heard you say/Forgiveness is divine/But all the sweet things that you may say/Can't mend this heart of mine." The song ends with the singer asking to be understood and sharing the pain they are feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
Never thought that anyone in their right mind
I never imagined that someone who is sane and reasonable would behave like this.
Would ever treat another human so unkind
No one should ever be treated with such cruelty and unfairness.
Didn't you sneak away and leave a note behind?
You left without any explanation, as if my feelings didn't matter to you.
Was that the human thing to do?
Is this how people are supposed to treat each other?
Always thought that yours was such a heart of gold
I used to believe that you were a kind and generous person.
But after I was sold on all the tales you told
Your charming words convinced me to trust you completely.
Didn't you let your kisses turn from hot to cold?
Your affectionate gestures disappeared as soon as your true intentions were revealed.
Now I'm not trying to patch things up
I don't want to reconcile with you anymore.
What's been done must be
The damage that you have caused cannot be undone.
Lord, I wouldn't even treat a pup
I wouldn't even treat an animal as poorly as you treated me.
The way you treated me
Your actions towards me were absolutely unacceptable.
How could anybody be so darned unfair?
I cannot comprehend how anyone could act in such a cruel and unjust manner.
You let me hang around till I learned to care
You kept me around until I became emotionally invested in you, and then you abandoned me.
Didn't you even laugh and leave me cryin' there?
You didn't even have the decency to console me, and instead, you laughed and walked away.
To err is human, I heard you say
You once told me that it's normal for people to make mistakes.
Forgiveness is divine
It takes a truly benevolent person to forgive those who have wronged them.
But all the sweet things that you may say
Your honeyed words cannot erase the pain that you have caused me.
Can't mend this heart of mine
My heart is still broken, and nothing you say or do can fix it.
Now I just want to be understood
I don't need your apologies or justifications, I just want you to comprehend the damage you have done.
Won't you tell me how could anybody be so darn unfair
Can you explain to me how anyone could ever think it's okay to treat someone so poorly?
Was that the human thing to do?
Is this really how humans are supposed to behave towards each other?
Contributed by Nathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Esmee Phillips
Sublime.
These young ladies recorded nearly 90 years ago, and you have to ask if vocal harmony ever caught up with them.
Brennan Young
The storytelling in the arrangement is phenomenal. Unequaled in 90 years.
Esmee Phillips
The way Connie walks right up to the song and knocks it out of the park in the first four lines, almost casually as if thinking out loud... fabulous confidence.
raudiobrown
From hip to heartbroken in a few minutes. Their adventurous arrangements are full of wisdom, innocent play, and sheer skill.
m8roth
Connie Boswell's, New Orleans genius, is really on display in this one. This is such a talented act, that it's almost an afterthought the orchestra is the Dorsey brothers. Amazing. Thank you for posting this.
Odi Etamo
Best girl group ever. No one to equal, let alone best them, before or since. I wish I could have been around to see them perform live.
Gloria Lorna
The sound-of-honey surrounded by a professional-jam of musicians.
KSims
harmonies like this is one of the things which are missing in modern music. ladies could sing!
Rachel Baker
Their arrangements were just spectacular.....MORE!
MystMoonstruck
I thank Magdalen Fossum's videos for bringing me here to The Boswell Sisters. She covers some of their songs in such a charming fashion and always gives them a mention. I'm enjoying them a lot=} You're never too old to find "new" artists to listen to and to admire.