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.
13. Do I Worry
The Ink Spots Lyrics
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Do I worry cause you got me in doubt
Though your kisses aren't right, do I give a bag of beans
Do I stay home every night and read my magazine
Am I frantic, cause we lost that spark
Is there panic when it starts turning dark
And when evening shadows creep, do I loose any sleep over you
Do I worry when the iceman calls
Do I worry if Niagara Falls
Though you treat me just like dirt
You think I give a snap
Are my feelings really hurt
When you're sitting in somebody else's lap
Am I curious when the gossip flies
Am I furious bout your little white lies
And when all our evenings end
'Cause you got a sick friend that needs you
Do I worry, honey, you know dog gone well I do
Am I frantic, 'cause we've lost that spark
Is there panic when it starts turning dark
And when evening shadows creep
Do I lose any sleep over you
Do I worry, you can bet your life, I do
The Ink Spots' song Do I Worry? is a soulful ballad that delves into the insecurities and doubts of an individual in a romantic relationship. The first stanza explores the fear of infidelity with the lover stepping out and leaving the singer in doubt. The singer questions if their kisses are right and if they give a bag of beans or read a magazine while staying home every night. However, the second stanza explicates that the singer does worry about their lover leaving them and that they lose sleep over them. The singer questions if the singer worries about trivial matters such as the iceman calls and Niagara Falls, and if their feelings really hurt when they sit in somebody else's lap. The singer explains that the singer is curious and furious about the little white lies and that they worry about their lover even when they have a sick friend that needs them.
The song's lyrics portray a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty about the relationship. The singer worries about the love and the trust in the relationship, and the lyrics question the sincerity of the lover. The song explores the intense pressure and anxiety that comes with a romantic bond and the insecurities that accompany it.
Line by Line Meaning
Do I worry cause you're stepping out
Am I concerned because you are seeing someone else
Do I worry cause you got me in doubt
Am I anxious because I'm not sure of your intentions
Though your kisses aren't right, do I give a bag of beans
Am I apathetic towards your unwanted affections
Do I stay home every night and read my magazine
Am I avoiding going out to protect myself from worrying
Am I frantic cause we lost that spark
Am I anxious because our relationship has lost its passion
Is there panic when it starts turning dark
Do I get anxious when things start going wrong
And when evening shadows creep, do I loose any sleep over you
Do I have difficulty sleeping when I am worried about you
Do I worry, you can bet your life I do
Yes, I am worried about you
Do I worry when the iceman calls
Am I worried when the iceman rings the doorbell
Do I worry if Niagara Falls
Am I worried about something as inevitable as Niagara Falls
Though you treat me just like dirt, you think I give a snap
Do I care about you treating me poorly
Are my feelings really hurt when you're sitting in somebody else's lap
Do my emotions get hurt when you are in someone else's company
Am I curious when the gossip flies
Am I interested in what people say about us
Am I furious bout your little white lies
Am I angry about your small lies
And when all our evenings end, Cause you got a sick friend that needs you
Am I worried when you leave to take care of your ill friend
Do I worry, honey, you know dog gone well I do
Yes, I am worried, and you know it very well
And when evening shadows creep, Do I lose any sleep over you
Do I have difficulty sleeping when I am worried about you
Do I worry, you can bet your life, I do
Yes, I am worried about you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOBBY WORTH, STANLEY COWAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind