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.
Java Jive
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
I love java, sweet and hot
Whoops! Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot
Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
And I cut a rug till I'm snug in a jug
A slice of onion and a raw one, draw one.
Waiter, waiter, percolator!
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
Boston bean, soy bean
Lima bean, string bean.
You know that I'm not keen for a bean
Unless it is a cheery coffee bean.
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
I love java, sweet and hot
Whoops! Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot
Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
Oh, slip me a slug from the wonderful mug
And I cut a rug till I'm snug in a jug
Drop me a nickel in my pot, Joe, Taking it slow.
Waiter, waiter, percolator!
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup
The Ink Spots' "Java Jive" song is a playful ode to coffee and tea. The lyrics express a joyous love for the two beverages, with the singer singing about their passion for the "java jive" that "loves me". The lyrics are filled with clever wordplay and puns, with lines like "shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot" and "Oh, slip me a slug from the wonderful mug." The song also references cultural touchstones like Mr. Moto, a fictional Japanese spy popular in movies at the time the song was written.
One interpretation of the song is that it is a commentary on the social importance of coffee and tea in American culture. The song was written in 1940, a time when coffee and tea were primary social beverages, and the song's lyrics reflect this. The singer sings about his or her love for coffee and tea and how they are an essential part of his or her social life. The lyrics also reference different types of beans, including Boston, soy, and Lima, highlighting the importance of coffee in American culture.
Line by Line Meaning
I love coffee, I love tea
I have an appreciation for both coffee and tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
I enjoy drinking coffee and it has positive effects on my mood and energy
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
Drinking coffee and tea makes me feel good and I enjoy dancing
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
I want multiple cups of coffee or tea
I love java, sweet and hot
I have a strong liking for hot and sweet coffee
Whoops! Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot
I feel so energized by drinking coffee that I embody its usefulness and may even become hyperactive
Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot
Pass me the coffee pot and I'll pour myself a cup
Oh, slip me a slug from the wonderful mug
Give me some hot coffee from the appealing mug
And I cut a rug till I'm snug in a jug
I enjoy dancing spontaneously after drinking coffee and end up dropping into a state of relaxation
A slice of onion and a raw one, draw one.
I like raw onions as a side to my coffee or tea
Waiter, waiter, percolator!
Call the waiter and bring me a percolator, a coffee-making machine
Boston bean, soy bean, Lima bean, string bean.
Different types of beans that I don't particularly care for, except for coffee beans
You know that I'm not keen for a bean
I don't like most types of beans except for coffee beans, which I love
Unless it is a cheery coffee bean.
As long as it's a coffee bean, I'll be happy
Drop me a nickel in my pot, Joe, Taking it slow.
Give me some money to pay for my coffee and let me take my time enjoying it
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MILTON DRAKE, BEN OAKLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Frank Smith
I remember my mother singing this song to our newly-adopted German Shepherd in the 1970's He loved it. And I can almost say with certainty that she used to sing it to my brother, sister and myself when we were babies.
Natalie Roberts
That’s so sweet, just adorable.
PockASqueeno
This is such a wonderful vocal jazz standard. It’s been covered by so many other vocal groups like the Manhattan Transfer, Bluegrass Student Union, and Ringmasters. My quartet, Uncalled Four, is working on it now and planning on releasing it soon, so stay tuned! It’ll never beat the Ink Spots’ original though.
Taylah Graham
This song sounds so friendly? If this song said hi to me on the street I would shake its hand.
eperjesia
Taylah Graham that's beautiful
Felipe Moreira Santana
Oh
Jasmine aka BNJA5M1N3
Just wave 👋 six feet away...
Michel J. Gaudet
I can remember THIS and “Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring...” being the FIRST two songs my mother singing to me. Thanks for the wonderful memory.
rita smith
My daddy's favorite. I bought the album in the 60's and fell in love with them. Great.