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.
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heard they crowded the floor
Couldn't bear it without you
Don't get around much anymore
Though I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
Been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
Don't get around much anymore
The Ink Spots’ song “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” describes a man who is reminiscing on a past love that he misses. He is trying to return to his old life and social scene after a break-up. The man misses his partner during a Saturday dance when he heard the floor was crowded. He did not go because he did not want to face the situation without her. Although he attempted to visit the club, he couldn’t bring himself to go in. The man knew people would ask him about his ex-partner, and the memories were too painful for him.
As he begins to get over the relationship, he receives several invitations to go on dates, but he chooses not to. He finds that his life is awfully different without his love, and he cannot bear to attend places where they used to go together. The man is questioning why it is necessary to stir up the memories in the first place, despite his mind being more at ease now. The song describes a man’s struggle to cope with the end of his relationship and come to terms with moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
Missed the Saturday dance
I didn't go to the dance that took place on Saturday
Heard they crowded the floor
I heard that many people attended the dance and it was crowded
Couldn't bear it without you
I couldn't enjoy the dance without you being there with me
Don't get around much anymore
I don't go out and socialize as much as I used to
Though I'd visit the club
I had intentions to go to the club
Got as far as the door
I only made it to the entrance of the club
They'd have asked me about you
I knew that people at the club would have asked me about you
Don't get around much anymore
I don't go out and socialize as much as I used to
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
I feel more relaxed without you being around
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
I don't want to bring up old memories and emotions
Been invited on dates
I have been invited to go on dates
Might have gone but what for?
I may have considered going on the dates, but what would be the point?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
It's just not the same without you being there
Don't get around much anymore
I don't go out and socialize as much as I used to
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Bob Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bubsd487
[Intro]
When I'm not playing Solitaire
I take a book down from the shelf
And what with programs on the air
I keep pretty much to myself
[Verse 1]
Missed the Saturday dance
Heard they crowded the floor
Couldn't bear it without you
Don't get around much anymore
[Verse 2]
Thought I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Don't get around much anymore
[Bridge]
Oh darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless, why stir up memories?
[Verse 3]
Been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for
Awfully different without you
Don't get around much anymore
[Piano Solo]
[Bridge]
Oh darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless, why stir up memories?
[Verse 3]
Been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for
Awfully different without you
Don't get around much anymore
[Outro]
Don't get around much anymore
Don't get around much anymore
@brianpatrickofficial
I’m a 13 year old boy. I love this type of music and older than this too. I play the piano and enjoy reading and writing too. The Ink Spots are my all time favorite out of anything or anyone else.
When I hear this song I’m particular...”when I’m not playing solitaire, I take a book down from the shelf”...it makes me think of how I am kinda a social outcast and will probably be lonely the rest of my life. But that’s not exactly bad. This song makes me think of me in at least 25-30 years living in a small cabin in the mountains living a simple and lonely life with only what I need; a kitchen and dining room, living room, bathroom, guest room maybe, a master bedroom, a study, and a large enough basement I can use as a fallout shelter...
I will stick to my studies and pray to God and go out occasionally and keep a small farm...it can be a good and peaceful life, and hopefully I can do all I can to go to Heaven some day.
I also want to be a doctor so I can find somewhere rural where it’s not a far drive from my house to go somewhere small in a small country town. It can happen if I try. Never lose hope that living a lonely and simple life can be a good life. Who needs wealth when you can just be happy with what you have and with your small little rustic country cabin in a mountain?
Being a doctor might make me a lot of money but it’s not all for me. I don’t know, I was really just thinking about how lonely but joyful and peaceful this music makes me feel. I love the Ink Spots...personally, I would like to live in the 1980s because it was such an interesting time period...the Ink Spots being from the late 1930s through 1940s and 1950s wouldn’t have been too long ago from the 1980s and it would be very nice.
@pobrepaco
When I was a kid, this is what my parents listened to on the old Zenith radio their songs have been permanently ingrained in my brain----Thanks Mom for letting me listen with you!!!
@wokap
How you holding up now bruce?
@phex9528
glad some people can smile to this song
@user-zv7yb4yp9g
lovely story sir
@somebodyelse5294
Nice
@barbararichmond2167
@@phex9528Oh, yes.... especially when you have some good memories of this song....... My mother walked around the house singing this old song and now, eons later, I was awaken to this song in my head.
@Kharkovkid
45 years on I can still hear this song and see the Old Mans pipe tobacco smoke rising over the back of the easy chair. DO NOT DISTURB!
@SL-mp7xb
My nana was always humming and shuffling her feet in a quick two step to the Ink Spots. Miss you forever, Nana, and I still know where I get it from.
@SweetsProductions
knockin back some sunset sarsaparilla taking in the radioactive scenery that lies ahead.
@deaner1722
SweetsProductions great comment bro, fellow vault dweller