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 โ 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 โ d. 4 November 1969, Washington, D.C.) (tenor) (Played guitar and trumpet)
Jerry Daniels (b. 14 December 1915 โ d. 7 November 1995, Indianapolis, Indiana) (tenor) (Played guitar and ukulele)
Charlie Fuqua (b. 20 October 1910 โ 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.
Gypsy
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a lady they call the Gypsy
She can look in the future
And drive away all your fears
Everything will come right
If you only believe the Gypsy
She could tell at a glance
That my heart was so full of tears
My lover was always true
And yet in my heart I knew, dear
Somebody else was kissing you
But I'll go there again
'Cause I want to believe the Gypsy
That my lover is true
And will come back to me some day
You see, she looked in my hand and told me
That my baby would always be true
And yet in my heart I knew, dear
That somebody else was kissing you
But I'll go there again
'Cause I want to believe the Gypsy
That my lover is true
And will come back to me some day
The Ink Spotsโ song โThe Gypsyโ is a wistful ballad about seeking reassurance and hope from a fortune-teller known as the Gypsy. The lyrics describe a caravan where the Gypsy resides, and how she possesses the ability to see into the future and alleviate peopleโs fears. The singer seeks out the Gypsyโs advice as he is troubled about his loverโs feelings for him. The Gypsy peers into his palm and reassures him that his lover is true, though the singer admits that he is skeptical and suspects that someone else is kissing his lover. Despite this, the singer finds comfort in the Gypsyโs words and will return to her again to reinforce his belief that his lover will come back to him one day.
The lyrics in โThe Gypsyโ convey a sense of longing, doubt, and hope. The singer is grappling with uncertainty and heartbreak, yet is determined to believe in the Gypsyโs predictions regardless of his doubts. The song speaks to the universal desire to seek answers and solace in the face of turmoil and uncertainty. The Ink Spotsโ emotive and soulful delivery of the lyrics further heightens the songโs poignant and timeless appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
In a quaint caravan
Our story begins in a charming caravan, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
There's a lady they call the Gypsy
Here, we meet the lady who goes by the name of the Gypsy, renowned for her mystical abilities.
She can look in the future
The Gypsy has the gift of foresight and can see what is yet to come.
And drive away all your fears
Through her insight into the future, the Gypsy can also release you from anxiety and concerns that plague you.
Everything will come right
The Gypsy has a profound optimism that assures you that every problem will eventually be solved.
If you only believe the Gypsy
But you must fully trust in her words for them to have any effect on your life.
She could tell at a glance
The Gypsy can immediately perceive what is hidden underneath the surface, such as what is in someone's heart.
That my heart was so full of tears
She saw that deep down, my heart was burdened with great sorrow.
She looked at my hand and told me
Through the study of palmistry, the Gypsy could discern important details about my life.
My lover was always true
The Gypsy revealed that my partner was loyal and sincere in our relationship.
And yet in my heart I knew, dear
Although the Gypsy assured me of my lover's honesty, I had my doubts and suspicions.
Somebody else was kissing you
I had strong evidence that someone else was romantically involved with my partner.
But I'll go there again
Despite the painful revelations, I still sought solace in the Gypsy's wisdom.
'Cause I want to believe the Gypsy
I desperately wanted to trust in the Gypsy's view of the world and the positivity she brought to my life.
That my lover is true
Once again, I allowed myself to believe that my partner was faithful and sincere.
And will come back to me some day
With the help of the Gypsy, I clung to the belief that my partner would eventually return to me, and that love would triumph in the end.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Reid
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@50sarebackhoney
In a quaint caravan
There's a lady they call the Gypsy
She can look in the future
And drive away all your fears
Everything will come right
If you only believe the Gypsy
She could tell at a glance
That my heart was so full of tears
She looked at my hand and told me
My lover was always true
And yet in my heart I knew, dear
Somebody else was kissing you
But I'll go there again
'Cause I want to believe the Gypsy
That my lover is true
And will come back to me some day
@danielpham3034
We need music like this back in our lives. Some music today can barely reach this level.
@ilovemydog6847
I think you mean NONE of today's music can reach this level.
@panenik2102
I agree as well and the only reason I was raised with these older songs is because older parent so itโs great having taste!
@panenik2102
@I love My Dog the only music from today is the playlist Clover by OR3O it isnโt as good but a lot better than most of the songs today
@AtreVire
@I love My Dog i think you've just got stunted taste. There's plenty of good music out here
@smoothkid765
literally every song is the same riff
@andremoore4688
i want to go back in time and dance with my twenty year old grandmother to this song.
@calelo8690
the revolutionary road brings me here
@TomthatiscalledTom
+Marco Aurรฉlio So much for the Laurel Players....and she was VERY disappointing....
@user-md7mw2fx4o
me too!! :)