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.
1940 Maybe
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you are all alone
Maybe the one who is waiting for you will prove untrue
Then what will you do
Maybe you'll sit and sigh
Wishing that I were near, then
Maybe you'll ask me to come back again
And maybe I'll say maybe
May be you'll think of me
When you are all alone
Maybe the one who is waiting for you will prove untrue
Then what will you do
Maybe you'll sit and sigh
Wishing that I were near, then
Maybe you'll ask me to come back again
And maybe I'll say maybe
The Ink Spots’s “Maybe” is a love song with melancholy undertones. The lyrics tell the story of a man who has been left by his lover and who is uncertain about whether or not she will return. He sings about his hope that she will think of him when she is alone, about his fear that the one she is waiting for will prove untrue, and about the possibility that she will ask him to come back again. The song is a poignant lament to a lost love, one that captures the longing, the regret, and the uncertainty that come with heartbreak.
The song is notable for its use of repetition, which adds to the hypnotic and dreamlike quality of the lyrics. The chorus, consisting of the four lines, “Maybe you’ll think of me / When you are all alone / Maybe the one who is waiting for you will prove untrue / Then what will you do,” is repeated twice, creating a kind of loop that circles back on itself. The repeated use of the word “maybe” reinforces the theme of uncertainty and possibility that runs through the song. The singer is unsure about what the future holds, but he holds onto the hope that he will be reunited with his love.
Overall, The Ink Spots’s “Maybe” is a timeless classic that remains popular today. Its wistful lyrics, understated instrumentation, and soulful vocals have made it a favorite of romantics across generations. The song captures the bittersweet feeling of lost love, reminding us that even in the depths of heartbreak, there is always the possibility of a second chance.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe you'll think of me
Perhaps you will remember me
When you are all alone
When there is no one around you
Maybe the one who is waiting for you will prove untrue
Perhaps the person you are waiting for will be unfaithful
Then what will you do
What actions will you take next
Maybe you'll sit and sigh
Perhaps you will become sad and despondent
Wishing that I were near, then
Longing for my presence
Maybe you'll ask me to come back again
Perhaps you will request my return
And maybe I'll say maybe
I may or may not agree to return
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD BARRETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Visayan Miss Nanny 2.0
Lyrics:
Maybe
You'll think of me, when you are all alone
Maybe, the one who is waiting for you
Will prove untrue
Then what will you do?
Maybe, you'll sit and sigh
Wishing that I were near
Then, maybe you'll ask me to come back again
And maybe
I'll say, "maybe."
Maybe
You'll think of me, when you are all alone
Maybe, the one who is waiting for you
Will prove untrue
Then, what will I do?
Maybe, you'll sit and sigh
Wishing that I were near
Then, maybe you'll ask me to come back again
And maybe
I'll say, "maybe."
Visayan Miss Nanny 2.0
Lyrics:
Maybe
You'll think of me, when you are all alone
Maybe, the one who is waiting for you
Will prove untrue
Then what will you do?
Maybe, you'll sit and sigh
Wishing that I were near
Then, maybe you'll ask me to come back again
And maybe
I'll say, "maybe."
Maybe
You'll think of me, when you are all alone
Maybe, the one who is waiting for you
Will prove untrue
Then, what will I do?
Maybe, you'll sit and sigh
Wishing that I were near
Then, maybe you'll ask me to come back again
And maybe
I'll say, "maybe."
Comet the Mountain Lion
Our dedicated boys keep the peace in newly annexed Canada.
Richie_roo1027
Is that what's happening right now
SRGI Productions
BUY WAR BONDS
Back There Benjamin
Mr Handy
He’s sooooooo handy!
SRGI Productions
Not going to lie. Fallout: New Vegas is feeling a little incomplete without some music from The Ink Spots.
Yamamanama
Who's still listening to this in 2161?
Beastbee 011
SO CLEAR
steamstream777
When was this recorded
Thunderstorm
It literally shows it on the video title… 1940