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.
I’m Beginning To See The Light
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never wink back at fireflies
But now that the stars are in your eyes
I'm beginning to see the light
I never went in for afterglow
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low
Used to ramble through the park
Shadowboxing in the dark
Then you came and caused a spark
That's a four-alarm fire now
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never saw rainbows in my wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
I'm beginning to see the light
The song "I'm Beginning to See the Light" by The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald talks about how the singer never paid attention to things like moonlit skies or fireflies before. However, after meeting someone special, they are starting to see things in a new light. The stars in their love interest's eyes have given them a newfound appreciation for the beauty around them. Even things like afterglow and candlelight used to be lost on the singer, but now they are starting to see the magic in these romantic gestures.
The lyrics also express how this love interest has brought light into the singer's life. They used to spend their evenings wandering through the park, shadowboxing in the dark. But ever since this person came into their life, there's been a spark that has turned into a four-alarm fire. The imagery here is of a love that intensifies rapidly and burns bright and hot.
The chorus of the song talks about how the singer never experienced some of the classic romantic moments before. They never made love by lantern-shine, and they never saw rainbows in their wine. However, now that they're with this person, everything feels different. The lyrics romanticize how a new love can change a person's perspective and make everything seem brighter and more magical.
Line by Line Meaning
I never cared much for moonlit skies
I used to not care for romantic things like looking at the stars at night
I never wink back at fireflies
I never felt playful enough to engage with the natural world around me when I had the chance
But now that the stars are in your eyes
Now that I am with you, I am starting to appreciate the beauty of romance and love that I never noticed before
I'm beginning to see the light
I am starting to understand and appreciate what it feels like to be in love
I never went in for afterglow
I never felt the need or desire to partake in post-coital moments
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
I didn't see the value in spending romantic moments with someone under a mistletoe or in a candlelit room
But now when you turn the lamp down low
But now that I am with you and you create a romantic atmosphere, I am starting to understand the importance and beauty of such moments
Used to ramble through the park
I used to enjoy walking around the park or aimlessly wandering without any particular purpose
Shadowboxing in the dark
Sometimes I enjoyed spending time in the park and exploring new areas, but I was still searching for something or someone to fight for
Then you came and caused a spark
Once I met you, you ignited a new passion and energy within me that I never knew existed
That's a four-alarm fire now
Our love is now burning strong and passionate, like a raging four-alarm fire
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never experienced or sought out romantic moments in a dimly lit or intimate setting
I never saw rainbows in my wine
I never truly enjoyed the finer and beautiful things in life, such as seeing a rainbow in a glass of wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
Now that I am with you, experiencing your physical love, I am starting to see the beauty and wonder of all things, big and small
I'm beginning to see the light
I am starting to understand and appreciate the importance of love and all its beautiful nuances
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDWARD KENNEDY ELLINGTON, DON GEORGE, HARRY JAMES, JOHNNY HODGES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ReverbPixel
This is amazing, I love The Ink Spots due to Fallout, and I just found a playlist of their songs… so much more than I even knew existed, lol
@JSGaming0327
I agree completely!! I started listening to their music from the Fallout games and now I listen to all of their songs. They are truly beautiful. 🥲🥲😄😄♥️♥️♥️
@ReverbPixel
@@JSGaming0327 What’s your top 3 favorite songs from them?
@JSGaming0327
@@ReverbPixelProbably “I’ll never smile again” “Don’t get around much anymore” and “Address unknown” 😁👏
@JeffWS
Ella Fitzgerald sounds just divine.
@elizabethopoussm
As always
@boidoh
I see they have a different intro on this one!
@tupinijazz
is because the song is a recording of Ella Fitzgerald with the Ink Spots, and not vice versa
@Walrus-fg8ch
This sounds like a fallout 4 new dlc trailer for a “going to actual civilization” like a megalopolis that isn’t in ruins and shambles
Sorta like a gigantic diamond city
@ReverbPixel
I can see it, lol