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 Cover the Waterfront
The Ink Spots Lyrics
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I'm watching the sea,,
Will the one I love,
Be coming back to me?
I cover the waterfront,
In search of my love,
And I'm covered by,
Here am I,
Patiently waiting,
Hoping and longing,
Oh! How I yearn!
Where are you?
Are you forgetting?
Do you remember?
Will you return?
I cover the waterfront,
I'm watching the sea,
For the one I love,
Must come back to me.
The Ink Spots' song "I Cover the Waterfront" is a love song filled with emotions and longing for someone special. The singer in the song covers the waterfront, watching the sea, hoping and yearning for their love to come back to them. The lyricist has utilized a metaphor in the phrase "I cover the waterfront" which means that the singer is searching every possible way, leaving no stone unturned, in search of their special person. Despite the resourceful and relentless search, the singer is covered by a starless sky above which symbolizes the gloom and sadness they feel because of the absence of their loved one.
The lyricist has painted a picture of a person who is patiently waiting and hoping for their love to return. The questions asked, "Where are you?" and "Do you remember?" reflect the restlessness and anxiousness of the singer. The phrases "Hoping and longing" and "Oh! How I yearn!" depict the storehouse of emotions kept behind the veil of patience. The singer's desperation is evident when they say, "Must come back to me." It is the final plea of love, the last straw of hope that their love would return, and they would be together once again.
Line by Line Meaning
I cover the waterfront,
I have traveled to the shore and I am observing the vast expanse of water before me.
I'm watching the sea,
I am keeping a diligent eye on the ocean's waves, anticipating any sign of my loved one's return.
Will the one I love,
I am uncertain if my sweetheart will ever return to me, and I am filled with anxiety about the possibility.
Be coming back to me?
I hope and pray that my significant other will eventually make their way back to me, and I am waiting patiently in the meantime.
I cover the waterfront,
My search for my lover has led me to this location, and I continue to scan the horizon for any signs of their arrival.
In search of my love,
I am on a quest to be reunited with my beloved, and I will not give up until I have found them.
And I'm covered by,
The sky above is shrouded in darkness, and I am consumed by feelings of sadness and loneliness.
A starless sky above.
The absence of stars in the sky serves as a reminder that my situation is bleak and uncertain.
Here am I,
I am present and accounted for, continuing to wait for my love to return.
Patiently waiting,
I am exhibiting great endurance and composure, despite the long and painful wait.
Hoping and longing,
I am filled with aspirations and desires, yearning for my loved one's affection and companionship.
Oh! How I yearn!
I am overwhelmed with intense emotions, feeling a deep sense of longing and desire for my sweetheart's return.
Where are you?
I am calling out to my significant other, hoping that they might hear me even though they are far away.
Are you forgetting?
I am worried that my loved one might have moved on without me, abandoning our relationship altogether.
Do you remember?
I am filled with nostalgia and fond memories of our time together, wondering if my sweetheart feels the same way.
Will you return?
The question that weighs most heavily on my mind is whether my love will ever come back to me, and I am desperate for an answer.
I cover the waterfront,
I continue to devote myself to this search, unable to rest until I have found my missing half.
I'm watching the sea,
The ocean remains my greatest source of hope and despair, as I wait to receive any news of my beloved's return.
For the one I love,
I have dedicated my life to finding and reconnecting with my sweetheart, and I will not give up until I have them back by my side.
Must come back to me.
I am certain that fate will eventually bring us together again, and I will always hold onto that hope, no matter how difficult the waiting may be.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, John W. Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind