The Ink Spots were a vocal group in the 1930s and 1940s … Read Full Bio ↴(1934-1954)
The Ink Spots were a vocal group in the 1930s and 1940s that helped define the musical genre that led to rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and the subgenre doo-wop. They gained much acceptance in both the white community and black community largely due to the ballad style introduced to the group by lead singer Bill Kenny. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of fame in 1999.
Their songs usually began with a guitar riff, followed by the tenor Bill Kenny, who sang the whole song through. After Kenny finished singing, the bass would either recite the first half, or the bridge of the song, or would speak the words, almost in a free form, that were not part of the song, commonly using the words "Honey Child", or "Honey Babe", expressing his love for his darling in the song. This was followed by Kenny, who finished up singing the last refrain or the last half of the song. On some songs Deek Watson would sing the lead rather than Bill Kenny. This was mostly on the uptempo "Jive" songs.
The Ink Spots formed in the early 1930s in Indianapolis. The founding members were :-
Orville "Hoppy" Jones (b. 17 February 1902, Chicago, Illinois – d. 18 October 1944, New York City) (bass) (Played cello in the manner of a stand up bass)[1]
Ivory "Deek" Watson (b. 18 July 1909, Mounds, Illinois – d. 4 November 1969, Washington, D.C.) (tenor) (Played guitar and trumpet)
Jerry Daniels (b. 14 December 1915 – d. 7 November 1995, Indianapolis, Indiana) (tenor) (Played guitar and ukulele)
Charlie Fuqua (b. 20 October 1910 – d. 21 December 1971, New Haven, Connecticut)
(baritone) (Played guitar)
*** BILL KENNY ***
The voice that made them famous Bill Kenny (Mr. Ink Spot) was born June 12th 1914 in Philadelphia PA, and died Mar 23rd 1978 in New West Minister, British Columbia. When Bill Kenny joined the group in 1936 they were mostly a "Jive" ensemble, performing swinging uptempo songs. It wasn't until The Ink Spots 1939 recording of "If I Didn't Care" that Bill Kenny's voice began being regularly featured on Ballads, which it was until The Ink Spots disbanded in 1954. Hits that feature Bill Kenny include "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire", "We Three", "The Gypsy", "Address Unknown", "With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming", "So Sorry", "Bless You", "My Prayer", "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall", "It's A Sin To Tell A Lie", It Isn't A Dream Anymore", and dozens of others. Bill Kenny has been listed as an influence by such great artists as Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis, Sonny Till, Clyde McPhatter and many others. Bill Kenny is often noted as the father of Doo Wop for his high tenor singing and his introduction of the popular "Top & Bottom" format used by virtually every Doo Wop group in the 50's and 60's.
Since Bill Kenny broke up The Ink Spots in 1954 there have been well over 500 black vocal Quartets calling themselves The Ink Spots none of which have or had any original members. There are even groups still touring as The Ink Spots today. It is largely accepted that if the group didn't contain Bill Kenny then the group was/ is a fake.
Until The Real Thing Comes Along
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd be a baker or a knave for you.
If that ain't love it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along.
I'd gladly move the earth for you
To prove my love, dear, and its worth for you.
If that ain't love it'll have to do
With all the words, dear, at my command,
I just can't make you understand.
I'll always love you, darling, come what may.
My heart is yours. What more can I say?
I'd beg for you. I'd lie for you.
I'd draw the stars down from the sky for you.
If that ain't love it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along.
With all the words, dear, at my command,
I just can't make you understand.
I'll always love you, darling, come what may.
My heart is yours. What more can I say?
I would rob, steal, beg, borrow and I'd lie for you.
I'd draw the stars down from the sky for you.
If that ain't love it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along.
The Ink Spots's song "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" is a ballad that explores the depths of love and the sacrifices that people are willing to make for the ones they love. In the song, the singer professes their unrequited love and devotion towards the person they love. They proclaim that they would be willing to do any menial job, slave away and sacrifice their pride for their love. The singer would move the earth to prove their love and expresses their willingness to beg, lie, cheat and steal if it meant winning the love of their beloved. Yet, despite all their attempts, their love remains unrequited.
The song's theme revolves around the idea of waiting for the "real thing" to come along. The singer realizes that what they have is not enough, and they long for something more genuine and profound. This particular line, "If that ain't love, it'll have to do until the real thing comes along," is an affirmation of the singer's love while acknowledging that it is not genuine.
Line by Line Meaning
I would work for you, I'd slave for you
I'd be a baker or a knave for you.
If that ain't love it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along.
I am willing to work to the bone for you, do the most menial of tasks for you. If this is not what love is, then it will have to suffice until the real thing presents itself.
I'd gladly move the earth for you
To prove my love, dear, and its worth for you.
If that ain't love it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along
I am willing to do anything to show you my love, even move mountains. If this isn't love, then I will settle for this until I find the real thing.
With all the words, dear, at my command,
I just can't make you understand.
I'll always love you, darling, come what may.
My heart is yours. What more can I say?
Despite all the grand gestures and flowery language, I can't make you see how much I love you. Regardless of everything that happens, I will always love you. What more can I say?
I'd beg for you. I'd lie for you.
I'd draw the stars down from the sky for you.
If that ain't love it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along.
I would resort to begging, lying, and even try to bring the stars from the sky. If this isn't love, then I will suffice with it until the real thing presents itself.
I would rob, steal, beg, borrow and I'd lie for you.
I'd draw the stars down from the sky for you.
If that ain't love it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along.
I would go to any lengths and do anything, even if it means resorting to criminal activity, to keep you happy. If this isn't love, then I will settle for this until I can find something greater.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alberta Nichols, L.E. Freeman, Mann Holiner, Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kevinsmithliberatoreyes6452
Trabajaría para ti, esclavo para ti
I'd work for you, I'd slave for you
Sería un mendigo o un bribón para ti
I'd be a beggar or knave for you
Si eso no es amor, tendrá que hacer
If that isn't love, it'll have to do
Hasta que las cosas reales vengan
Until the real things comes along
Con mucho gusto movería la tierra por ti
I'd gladly move the earth for you
Para demostrar mi amor querido y vale la pena para ti
To prove my love dear and it's worth to you
Si eso no es amor, tendrá que hacer
If that isn't love, it'll have to do
Hasta que las cosas reales vengan
Until the real things comes along
Con todas las palabras querida a mis órdenes
With all the words dear at my command
Simplemente no puedo hacerte entender
I just can't make you understand
Siempre te amaré cariño, pase lo que pase
I'll always love you darlin', come what may
Mi corazón es tuyo, ¿qué más puedo decir?
My heart is yours what more can I say
Suspiraría por ti oh, lloraré por ti
I'd sigh for you oh I'll cry for you
Quitaría las estrellas del cielo por ti
I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you
Si eso no es amor, tendrá que hacer
If that isn't love, it'll have to do
Hasta que llegue lo real
Until the real thing comes along
Con todas las palabras querida a mis órdenes
With all the words dear at my command
Simplemente no puedo hacerte entender
I just can't make you understand
Siempre te amaré cariño, pase lo que pase
I'll always love you darlin', come what may
Mi corazón es tuyo, ¿qué más puedo decir?
My heart is yours what more can I say
Suspiraría por ti y lloraré por ti
I'd sigh for you and I'll cry for you
Quitaría las estrellas del cielo por ti
I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you
Si eso no es amor, tendrá que hacer
If that ain't love, it'll have to do
Hasta que llegue lo real
Until the real thing comes along
Hasta que llegue lo real
Until the real thing comes along
Hasta que llegue lo real
Until the real thing comes along
@MG-ud6ci
The Ink Spots were the real thing. Am so glad they came along.
@rickgastlycc
Thank you so much for putting these videos up. This music helps me find a happier place when I'm lost, or confused. I feel as though I'm not in my right time while I listen to it. I feel at home. Again, thank you.
@jmtjet
These "so-called" singer of today should sit down and listen to the Ink spots with Bill Kenny in the lead. This man had perfect pitch and diction. That is rare. A true talent that was ahead of his time.
@tannerh.wilsonpianocaressi6201
Charlie Puth has a pretty accurate ear regarding chords and melodies.
@alihilalalmily6589
@PianoCaressing دنجب
@teamzy9388
true
@richarddavisjr.6090
BILL KENNY! WHAT A VOICE! GREAT RECORD!
@bernadettescott7578
I thought about relationships I was in but my deep strong love is for my mother who is in a nursing home right now, upon hearing this song for the first time, tears ran hard down my face. 6/29-6/30/19. 4:12-4:13 a.m 👑💒🌟🙌👸😊🌈❤📹📷🎥💎💍💃🌟🙌🙌🙌🙌
@spartenkiller897
This made my tear up a little, another great song Austin!
@kevinsmithliberatoreyes6452
Trabajaría para ti, esclavo para ti
I'd work for you, I'd slave for you
Sería un mendigo o un bribón para ti
I'd be a beggar or knave for you
Si eso no es amor, tendrá que hacer
If that isn't love, it'll have to do
Hasta que las cosas reales vengan
Until the real things comes along
Con mucho gusto movería la tierra por ti
I'd gladly move the earth for you
Para demostrar mi amor querido y vale la pena para ti
To prove my love dear and it's worth to you
Si eso no es amor, tendrá que hacer
If that isn't love, it'll have to do
Hasta que las cosas reales vengan
Until the real things comes along
Con todas las palabras querida a mis órdenes
With all the words dear at my command
Simplemente no puedo hacerte entender
I just can't make you understand
Siempre te amaré cariño, pase lo que pase
I'll always love you darlin', come what may
Mi corazón es tuyo, ¿qué más puedo decir?
My heart is yours what more can I say
Suspiraría por ti oh, lloraré por ti
I'd sigh for you oh I'll cry for you
Quitaría las estrellas del cielo por ti
I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you
Si eso no es amor, tendrá que hacer
If that isn't love, it'll have to do
Hasta que llegue lo real
Until the real thing comes along
Con todas las palabras querida a mis órdenes
With all the words dear at my command
Simplemente no puedo hacerte entender
I just can't make you understand
Siempre te amaré cariño, pase lo que pase
I'll always love you darlin', come what may
Mi corazón es tuyo, ¿qué más puedo decir?
My heart is yours what more can I say
Suspiraría por ti y lloraré por ti
I'd sigh for you and I'll cry for you
Quitaría las estrellas del cielo por ti
I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you
Si eso no es amor, tendrá que hacer
If that ain't love, it'll have to do
Hasta que llegue lo real
Until the real thing comes along
Hasta que llegue lo real
Until the real thing comes along
Hasta que llegue lo real
Until the real thing comes along