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 â 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 â d. 4 November 1969, Washington, D.C.) (tenor) (Played guitar and trumpet)
Jerry Daniels (b. 14 December 1915 â d. 7 November 1995, Indianapolis, Indiana) (tenor) (Played guitar and ukulele)
Charlie Fuqua (b. 20 October 1910 â 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.
In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but I'd give the world to be where I used to be,
A heavenly nest,
where I rest the best,
means more than the world to me.
It's only a shanty
in old Shanty Town
But my tumbled down shack by an old railroad track,
like a millionaire's mansion is calling me back.
I'd give up a palace if I were a king.
It's more than a palace, it's my everything.
There's a queen waiting there with a silvery crown
in a shanty in old Shanty Town.
The Ink Spots's song In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town depicts a person who is successful and living the high life in the city, but still desires to return to a modest shanty in an old shanty town. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and attachment to a simple and humble lifestyle. The singer longs for the comfort and familiarity of the old shanty town, where they feel they truly belong.
The contrast between the luxurious lifestyle of the singer and the dilapidated shanty town serves as a stark reminder that material possessions do not necessarily equate to happiness. The singer understands that their humble beginnings and the people they left behind hold a special place in their heart. The shanty town may be nothing more than a run-down shack to others, but to the singer, it holds sentimental value that no palace or mansion could ever replace.
Overall, the song carries a bittersweet quality, as the singer wishes to go back to where they came from but realizes that they may never be able to fully return. It speaks to the universal desire for a place to call home and the importance of cherishing the memories and relationships from our past.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm up in the world,
I've achieved success and prosperity in life.
but I'd give the world to be where I used to be,
I'd sacrifice all my current success and wealth to return to a previous place or time in my life.
A heavenly nest,
A comfortable and peaceful home that provides a sense of safety and security.
where I rest the best,
A place where I can relax and be at ease.
means more than the world to me.
It's more valuable and important to me than any amount of worldly possessions or success.
It's only a shanty
The house is very humble and not of high quality.
in old Shanty Town
The house is located in an impoverished and run-down area of the city.
the roof is so slanty it touches the ground.
The house is in a state of disrepair and is barely standing.
But my tumbled down shack by an old railroad track,
Despite its poor condition, the house holds sentimental value and is cherished by its owner.
like a millionaire's mansion is calling me back.
The feelings associated with the house are so strong that it feels like a luxurious mansion to its owner.
I'd give up a palace if I were a king.
The singer values their personal sense of comfort over material possessions or societal status.
It's more than a palace, it's my everything.
The house holds immense sentimental value and is an integral part of their life.
There's a queen waiting there with a silvery crown
The singer envisions their home as a place where they can be with their loved ones and live like royalty.
in a shanty in old Shanty Town.
Despite its humble appearance, the house is a haven for the singer and those they care about.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Schuster, Joe Young, Jack Little
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maximiliango7891
Lyrics:
Its only a shanty, in old shanty town
Its roof is so slanty, it touches the ground
Just a tumbledown shack, by an old railroad track
Like a millionaire's mansion, oh baby it's calling me back!
I'd give up my palace, if I were a king
It's more than a palace, it's my everything
There a queen waiting there, with a silvery crown
Shanty in old shanty town!
(Tenor) Just an old shanty, back in old shanty town
That roof is so bad, it's lying down on the ground
But still it's my old shanty, back there behind ol' railroad track
And to me? Just like a millionaire's mansion
Oh baby it's calling me back!
Shanty, shanty, shanty, shanty, shanty, shanty, shanty, shanty, shanty, shanty, shanty, shanty, shantytown
The roof is so slanty, it touches the ground
Well it goes way up, and it comes back down
Goes all-around around
So long (So long), Farewell (Farewell)
Goodbye (Goodbye), Goodnight to old shantytown
@BiduleProduction52
I'm up in the world,
but I'd give the world to be where I used to be,
A heavenly nest,
where I rest the best,
means more than the world to me.
It's only a shanty
in old Shanty Town
the roof is so slanty it touches the ground.
But my tumbled down shack by an old railroad track,
like a millionaire's mansion is calling me back.
I'd give up a palace if I were a king.
It's more than a palace, it's my everything.
There's a queen waiting there with a silvery crown
in a shanty in old Shanty Town.
@AustinCasey
In 1960 the lead singer here (Essex Scott) went on a fishing trip 100 miles south of Miami with two local friends. High winds and heavy rain were reported later that day and when the men didn't return that night the coastguard began searching. A few stressful days passed until their boat was found, but sadly no trace of the men.
The Ink Spots group he was performing with at the time had to keep performing without him which they said was very difficult. They didn't want to give up hope. Bernie Mackey, the leader of the group he was with said after one show; "we kept watching the door thinking he might come walking in at any moment."
@rejectionisprotection4448
How sad. Were their bodies ever recovered?
@AustinCasey
@@rejectionisprotection4448 Not to my knowledge and I've done some research on this. Their boat was recovered but no bodies. Last time I was in Florida on the coast I was out there in the water singing the songs he sang thinking about him and the incident. Very sad ending but he had a fantastic career and I think a good life.
@rejectionisprotection4448
@@AustinCasey What a beautiful tribute you gave to him.
@sajankumar-eb9ij
The way he is enjoying singing his song makes me watch it again and again.
@VIJAYKUMAR-ze3fc
Very true brother
@multigiant007
We should petition to place these songs on the radio!
@omarortega623
Or at least have a station dedicated to this era of music. Itâs so soothing and relaxing
@k1k1b34r
ah i was on a long drive in canada. we stopped in a smaller town that was a lot of farmland. they had lots of radio stations surprisingly and one was playing a lot of old music like this, found some new songs too. i was in heaven.
@emilycook7628
Such old comments