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 Making Believe
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Making believe I'm talking to you, wish you could hear what I say
And here in the gloom of my lonely room we're dancing like we used to do
Making believe is just another way of dreaming, so till my dreams come true
I'll whisper "Good night", turn out the light, and kiss my pillow
Making believe it's you
I'm making believe that you're in my arms though I know you're so far away
And here in the gloom of my lonely room we're dancing like we used to do
Making believe is just another way of dreamin', so till my dreams come true
I'll whisper "Good night", turn out the light, and kiss my pillow
Making believe it's you
And here in the gloom of my lonely room we're dancing like we used to do
Making believe is just another way of dreamin', so till my dreams come true
I'll whisper "Good night", turn out the light, and kiss my pillow
Making believe it's you
The Ink Spots' "I'm Making Believe" is a wistful song about longing and the power of imagination. The singer of the song is separated from their loved one, but they are able to transport themselves to a happier time through the act of making believe. The first verse sets the scene, with the singer imagining that their love is in their arms, even though they are physically far away. They wish their love could hear their words, and the act of speaking as if they are there is a comfort to them. In the second verse, the singer paints a picture of their imagined dance with their love, and declares that making believe is just another way of dreaming.
The chorus serves as a refrain, repeating the idea that the singer is making believe that their love is with them, while they whisper good night and kiss their pillow. The final verse echoes the first, with a reminder that even in the darkness of the singer's lonely room, they can transport themselves to a happier time by making believe. Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that the human imagination can be a powerful tool for coping with loss and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm making believe that you're in my arms though I know you're so far away
Although I'm aware of your physical absence, I'm imagining that you're in my embrace
Making believe I'm talking to you, wish you could hear what I say
In my thoughts, I'm conversing with you and yearning for you to hear my words
And here in the gloom of my lonely room we're dancing like we used to do
In this dim and desolate environment, I'm picturing us dancing together akin to our past
Making believe is just another way of dreaming, so till my dreams come true
Imagining things is similar to dreaming and I'll keep up this pretense until my desires are met
I'll whisper "Good night", turn out the light, and kiss my pillow
I'll whisper a farewell, switch off the lights, and cuddle my pillow as if it's you
Making believe it's you
I'm envisaging that my pillow is actually you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES V. MONACO, MACK GORDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oscarmelopsique
I'm making believe
I'm making believe that you're in my arms though I know you're so far away
Making believe I'm talking to you, wish you could hear what I say
And here in the gloom of my lonely room we're dancing like we used to do
Making believe is just another way of dreaming, so till my dreams come true
I'll whisper "Good night", turn out the light, and kiss my pillow
Making believe it's you
I'm making believe that you're in my arms though I know you're so far away
Making believe I'm talkin' to you, wish you could hear what I say
And here in the gloom of my lonely room we're dancing like we used to do
Making believe is just another way of dreamin', so till my dreams come true
I'll whisper…
@Talwyn22
I'll never get tired of this song - its perfect
@xXxLYnXxXx
same here :)
@chsmothie6584
yup i love them=D <3
@TFrills
Thank God for Fallout games, right? Or so many people wouldn't like this music.
@owenbrown5116
TFrills thats how i got into this music, and now its almost the only thing i listen to
@falerob1
TFrills well and BioShock dont forget that lol
@tigercs1
The Inks Spots by themselves and then featuring Ella Fitzgerald. Jesus Christ don't put all the golden eggs in one basket. What a gem of a song.
@robertbarron1203
Must you take the Lord's name in vain? Some day you will answer to Him. I just hope you come to your senses in time. Yes, it is a gem of a song.
@Spade_1917
Don't you dare force your religious policies upon others, but yes, this song is one that only comes a hundred years
@praxmacpt5033
what a """""gem""""