(1934-1954)

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.

Bewildered
The Ink Spots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bewildered
Lost in a dream of you
Where is the love I knew
Why did we part?
Bewildered
Helpless without you near
Wishing your heart could hear
What's in my heart

Must I have sleepless nights and endless days?
Oh love why did you leave my soul without a spark?
I'm in the dark
Bewildered
I need your guiding hand
I'll never understand

How you could love me, then leave me
Bewildered

Overall Meaning

The Ink Spots's song "Bewildered" is a classic ballad that explores the pain of a lost love. The lyrics suggest that the singer is lost in a dream where he is still with his former love, but he wakes up to the stark reality that she is no longer by his side. He questions where the love he once knew has gone and wonders why they had to part. He laments the fact that he is now helpless without her and longs for her to hear what is in his heart. He admits that he is sleepless and unable to understand why she would leave him feeling so empty and confused.

The song's melancholy lyrics are sung in the classic Ink Spots style, which features tight harmonies, smooth melodies, and a slow tempo. The Ink Spots were known for their heartfelt ballads, and "Bewildered" is a prime example of this style. The song conveys a sense of loss and longing that many people can relate to, particularly those who have experienced the pain of a broken heart.

Line by Line Meaning

Bewildered
Confused and disoriented

Lost in a dream of you
Swept up in thoughts of you, unable to focus on anything else

Where is the love I knew
Wondering where the affection and connection between us went

Why did we part?
Pondering the reasons for our separation

Helpless without you near
Feeling vulnerable and powerless without your presence

Wishing your heart could hear
Longing for you to truly understand my innermost feelings

What's in my heart
My deepest emotions and desires

Must I have sleepless nights and endless days?
Questioning whether I am destined to suffer and feel consumed by my emotions

Oh love why did you leave my soul without a spark?
Expressing frustration and sadness about the dullness and emptiness that has replaced the fire and passion of my soul

I'm in the dark
Feeling lost and unsure of what to do or how to feel

I need your guiding hand
Seeking your help and support to navigate through these emotions and struggles

I'll never understand
Admitting that I may never truly comprehend why you left me

How you could love me, then leave me
Questioning how you could have had strong feelings of love for me and then walked away

Bewildered
Still confused and disoriented

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LIBBY QUINN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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