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.
It's a Sin to Tell a Lie
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a sin to tell a lie
Millions of hearts have been broken
Just because these words were spoken
I love you, yes I do, I love you
If you break my heart I'll die
So be sure it's true
It's a sin to tell a lie
Be sure it's true when you say I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie
Millions of hearts have been broken
Just because these words were spoken
I love you, yes I do, I love you
If you break my heart I'll die
So be sure it's true
When you say I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie
The Ink Spots's classic song "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" is a poignant reminder of the importance of honesty in relationships. The song's central message is that telling someone you love them when you don't really mean it is not only unfair but also hurtful. The lyrics caution against the dangers of insincerity, suggesting that millions of hearts have been broken because of false promises of love.
The song's reiteration of the phrase "be sure it's true" emphasizes the importance of authenticity and honesty in relationships. The line "if you break my heart I'll die" highlights the extent to which a betrayal of trust can hurt, literally and figuratively. The repetition of the phrase "it's a sin to tell a lie" reinforces the idea that dishonesty can have serious consequences, both for the person telling the lie and for the recipient of the lie.
Overall, the song's message is a timeless one that continues to resonate today. It serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and authenticity in all aspects of life, but perhaps most importantly in our personal relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Be sure it's true when you say I love you
Make sure the love you express is genuine and not just a falsehood
It's a sin to tell a lie
Lying about love is a moral wrongdoing
Millions of hearts have been broken
Countless relationships have suffered due to insincere love declarations
Just because these words were spoken
These heartbreaks happened because people said they loved each other when they didn't mean it
I love you, yes I do, I love you
Expressing genuine feelings of love
If you break my heart I'll die
Emphasizing the personal importance of love and how much it can hurt to be lied to
So be sure it's true
Reiterating the importance of honesty and genuineness when expressing love
When you say I love you
A reminder that the focus of the song is on the importance of genuine love
It's a sin to tell a lie
Repeating the central message of the song
Lyrics © DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Mayhew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Installs killable children mod,loads game and disintegrate that kid's head with a 50.cal sniper rifle
@borisbadenov651
Be sure it's true when you say
"I love you"
It's a sin to tell a lie
Millions of hearts have been broken
Just because these words were spoken
I love you
Yes I do
I love you
If you break my heart I'll die
So be sure that it's true when you say
"I love you"
It's a sin to tell a lie
@Ethan-kt9fn
"We won't go quietly, the legion can count on that"
- NCR trooper
"Maybe Khans kill people without looking them in the face, but I ain't a fink, y'dig?"
-Benny
"We got ourselves a little ranger family reunion"
-NCR ranger
"Ave, true to Caesar"
-Idiot
@vitim0001
Lyrics
Be sure it's true when you say I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie
Millions of hearts have been broken
Just because these words were spoken
I love you, yes I do, I love you
If you break my heart I'll die
So be sure it's true
When you say I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie
Be sure it's true when you say I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie
Millions of hearts have been broken
Just because these words were spoken
I love you, yes I do, I love you
If you break my heart I'll die
So be sure it's true
When you say I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie
@knottydread81
's A Sin To Tell A Lie"
Be sure it's true when you say, I love you. It's a sin to tell a lie.
Millions of hearts have been broken, Just because these words were spoken.
I love you, Yes I do, I love you. If you break my heart I'll die.
So be sure it's true, When you say I love you, it's a sin to tell a lie.
Cross my heart, hope to die, I'll never, never ever tell another white lie.
Took a little girl out on a date last night,
Next to her Greta Gerty would have looked all right.
Now I'm between the devil and the deep blue sea, cause I said "Baby you look good to me."
I told her I loved her, but oh, how I lied, and now she's getting set to be my blushing bride.
If she leads me to the altar, I'm sunk cause I can't tell the preacher I was drunk.
So God have mercy on a "no account sinner,"
Give me one more chance to let another guy win her.
Cross my heart and hope to die, I'll never, never, never, tell one more time,
I'll never tell another white lie, do do di do do.
@annainspain5176
Who else was brought here by Chris Punsalan's Grandma?
@Enderbobender
Same and I’m so glad i did this is such a nice song ❤
@fruitypebbles27
Omg same I was just on his vids
@evangelicful
Me lol
@KlutchG7
Me!!! 😂❤
@natashasthilaire1950
Me 😂
@_leila.
Chris Punsalan's Grandma sent me here. I love it
@kaseytuttle7728
Same!!
@gelflingmama
Me too! I had to hear the whole thing. 🥹
@gabrielmalavega8835
Hahahaha aku din