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.
Address Unknown
The Ink Spots Lyrics
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Oh what I'd give to see the face of you
I was a fool to stay away from you so long
I should have known there'd come a day when you'd be gone
Address unknown, oh how could I be so blind?
To think that you would never be hard to find?
From the place of your birth to the ends of the earth
Address unknown, honey child, I ain't even got a trace of ya
You know one thing?
I'd give anything in the world just to see the face of ya
I was a fool to stay away from you and everything else so long
I should have been diplomatic and figured that some day
You'd be solid gone
Address unknown, oh how could I be so blind?
Who'd think that you would never be hard to find?
From the place of your birth to the ends of the earth
I've searched only to find, only to find, address unknown
The Ink Spots' song "Address Unknown" is a classic example of a sad, mournful love song. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been searching for his lost love, whom he foolishly pushed away, but now he cannot find her. The song has an air of regret and longing as the singer laments his mistakes and reflects on what he should have done differently. The chorus highlights his feelings of despair as he realizes that there may be no way to reconnect with his former lover: "Address unknown, not even a trace of you / Oh what I'd give to see the face of you."
Through the lyrics, the singer acknowledges his mistakes; he should have been more diplomatic and realized that he could lose his lover. Instead of spending time with her, he chose to stay away for too long, which ultimately led to losing her forever. He realizes that he was blind not to think that she would never be hard to find. He has searched far and wide, from the place of her birth to the ends of the earth, only to find her address unknown.
Overall, The Ink Spots' "Address Unknown" is a sorrowful song that encapsulates the feelings of lost love and regret. The lyrics tell a story of a love that was not nurtured, leading to a separation that seems to be irreversible.
Line by Line Meaning
Address unknown, not even a trace of you
I cannot locate you, not even the smallest clue
Oh what I'd give to see the face of you
I desire strongly to gaze upon your countenance
I was a fool to stay away from you so long
It was unwise of me to have avoided you for such a lengthy period of time
I should have known there'd come a day when you'd be gone
I ought to have realized that you would eventually depart from my life
Address unknown, oh how could I be so blind?
I cannot believe I overlooked your whereabouts
To think that you would never be hard to find?
It is absurd to have assumed that you would always be easily located
From the place of your birth to the ends of the earth
I have scoured the entire planet, from your birthplace to the furthest corners
I've searched only to find, only to find, address unknown
My quest has been fruitless, as I have discovered nothing but your unknown address
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gene Autry, Denver Darling, Vaughn Horton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind