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
Yes Indeed
The Boswell Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, yeah, I got it, brother Bingstance, now you know I got it
Now, has you got that rhythm in you, mm?
Yeah, yeah, I think I got that er rhythm in me
Then you got it, sister Constance
I swear I do believe that you got it
You will shout when it hits you, yes indeed
Oh, you'll shout when it hits you, yes indeed
Oh, yes indeed
When the spirit moves you, you'll shout hallelujah!
Hallelujah brother!
When it hits you, you'll holla, yes indeed
Oh, pops I'm here and I dig you, yes indeed
Oh yes indeed
While I'm here, let me hit you, yes indeed
Ah, hit me, do that to me
When that jive starts jumpin'
I shout hallelujah!
For I'm in there, I'm in there, yes indeed
Now, brother Chowderhead ,he got it in him, yes indeed
Oh boy, you can say that again!
He digs deep in the middle, yes indeed
Oh, yes indeedy
How he blows his top when, when he rips hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Oh, dig it out on your horn there, brother Chowderhead
Dig it for me
It comes out if it's in you, yes indeed
Oh, yes indeed
When you jump, for it's in you, yes indeed
When that feeling's on you, you shout hallelujah!
When it hits you, you holla, yes indeed
In the opening verses of The Boswell Sisters's song Yes Indeed, there is a call-and-response dialogue between Sister Constance and Brother Bingstance. He asks her if she's "got it," and she responds that she does indeed have "it." While "it" is never explicitly defined, it seems to refer to a feeling or quality that singers and musicians need to have in order to perform jazz and blues music. Sister Constance indicates that she has the rhythm in her, and Brother Bingstance affirms that she has "it." Later in the song, the lyrics suggest that this feeling or quality is connected to a spiritual experience. When "it" hits you, you shout hallelujah, and when the feeling is on you, you holler, "yes indeed." The song suggests that there is something almost transcendent about the experience of performing music with this kind of feeling and intensity.
The rest of the song builds on this theme by introducing other characters who also have "it" and who express it through their music. Brother Chowderhead is singled out for his ability to "dig deep in the middle" and "blow his top." When he "rips hallelujah," the other characters respond with shouts and cheers. The lyrics imply that the feeling of "it" is not something that can be taught or acquired through practice alone; it "comes out if it's in you." While the song is not overtly religious, its emphasis on spiritual experience through music evokes the deep connections between gospel music and the jazz and blues genres. The Boswell Sisters's Yes Indeed celebrates the passion and energy that can be contained within music, and the sense of community and shared feeling that it can evoke.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, er, has you got it, sister Constance, er tell me, has you got it?
Hey sis, do you have the rhythm in you?
Oh, yeah, I got it, brother Bingstance, now you know I got it
Yes, I have the rhythm in me and you know it.
Now, has you got that rhythm in you, mm?
Do you feel the rhythm?
Yeah, yeah, I think I got that er rhythm in me
Yes, I do feel the rhythm inside of me.
Then you got it, sister Constance
You definitely have the rhythm now, sis.
I swear I do believe that you got it
I really believe that you have the rhythm in you.
You will shout when it hits you, yes indeed
When the rhythm takes over, you'll start shouting.
Oh, you'll shout when it hits you, yes indeed
You'll definitely shout when the rhythm hits you.
When the spirit moves you, you'll shout hallelujah!
You'll shout 'hallelujah' when you feel the spirit of the music.
Hallelujah brother!
Amen, brother!
When it hits you, you'll holla, yes indeed
You'll definitely holler when the rhythm takes over.
Oh pops I'm here and I dig you, yes indeed
Hey, pops, I'm here and I really like your music.
While I'm here, let me hit you, yes indeed
Let me show you how much I like your music.
When that jive starts jumpin', I shout hallelujah!
When the music really gets going, I'll shout 'hallelujah.'
For I'm in there, I'm in there, yes indeed
I'm really into the music now.
Now, brother Chowderhead ,he got it in him, yes indeed
Brother Chowderhead really feels the music.
He digs deep in the middle, yes indeed
He really gets into the groove.
How he blows his top when, when he rips hallelujah!
He really gets excited and blows his horn when he plays.
Hallelujah!
Amen!
Oh, dig it out on your horn there, brother Chowderhead
Play your horn really well, brother Chowderhead.
It comes out if it's in you, yes indeed
If you really feel the rhythm, it will show in the way you play.
When you jump, for it's in you, yes indeed
When you really get into the music, it shows in the way you move.
When that feeling's on you, you shout hallelujah!
When the music moves you, you shout 'hallelujah.'
When it hits you, you holla, yes indeed
When the rhythm takes over, you'll definitely holler.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT
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