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.
Charmaine
The Ink Spots Lyrics
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How bright were stars above
That precious memory lingers yet
When you declared your love
And then you went away
And now each night and day
Charmaine, my Charmaine
I wonder when bluebirds are mating
Will you come back again
I wonder if I keep on praying
Will our dreams be the same
I wonder if you ever think of me too
I'm waiting my Charmaine for you
You went away one dreary day
I knew you had to go
'Mid tears and cheers I heard you say
"Charmaine, I love you so"
Though old years turn to new
My heart keeps calling you
I wonder why you keep me waiting
Charmaine cries in vain
I wonder when bluebirds are mating
Will you come back again
I wonder if I keep on praying
Will our dreams by the same
I wonder if you ever think of me too
Charmaine's waiting, just for you
The Ink Spots's song "Charmaine" carries a sense of longing and loneliness. The lyrics are a man's expression of his love for a woman named Charmaine, who left him after they shared a brief moment of love. The singer recalls the night they first met, the bright stars overhead, and the precious memories that still linger. He wonders why Charmaine keeps him waiting and if she will ever return.
The man's love for Charmaine is profound, and he believes that if he keeps praying, their dreams will remain the same. He wonders if Charmaine ever thinks of him and if she feels the same way he does. The lyrics are filled with poignant emotions and a sense of yearning, which resonate deeply with the listener. The Ink Spots's harmonizing voices and the slow, jazzy melody convey the melancholic tone of the lyrics.
Overall, "Charmaine" is a timeless song that expresses the aching heart of a man in love. The lyrics are haunting and relatable to anyone who has experienced the loss of a love they cherished deeply.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't forget the night we met
I still vividly recall the night when we first met
How bright were stars above
The stars were shining brightly in the sky that night
That precious memory lingers yet
The memory of that night still remains dear to me
When you declared your love
I will always cherish the moment when you professed your love for me
And then you went away
You had to leave me and go away
And now each night and day
I feel the ache of your absence every moment of every day
I wonder why you keep me waiting
I am puzzled by why you are making me wait for your return
Charmaine, my Charmaine
My dearest Charmaine
I wonder when bluebirds are mating
I ponder whether you will come back to me when the bluebirds mate
Will you come back again
I long for your return and hope you will come back to me
I wonder if I keep on praying
I contemplate if my constant prayers will bring us back together
Will our dreams be the same
I wonder if we still share the same dreams and aspirations
I wonder if you ever think of me too
I question whether you also reflect on our shared memories as much as I do
I'm waiting my Charmaine for you
I am patiently waiting for you, my beloved Charmaine
You went away one dreary day
You departed on a dull, bleak day
I knew you had to go
I understood that you had no choice but to leave
'Mid tears and cheers I heard you say
Amidst tears and cheers, you expressed your love to me
"Charmaine, I love you so"
"Charmaine, I adore you deeply"
Though old years turn to new
Despite the passage of time
My heart keeps calling you
My heart still yearns for you and desires your presence
Charmaine cries in vain
Charmaine weeps in futility
Charmaine's waiting, just for you
Charmaine is patiently waiting for your return, only for you
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ERNO RAPEE, LEW POLLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind