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.
Just for a Thrill
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You changed the sunshine to rain
Just for a thrill
You filled my heart with pain
To me you were my pride and joy
But to you, I was merely a toy
A plaything, that you could toss around at will
Just for a thrill
You made my life one sad song
Just for a thrill
You just led me along
Although you're free and havin' your fun
To me you're still the only one
Cause you made my heart stand still
Just for a thrill
Although you're free and havin' your fun
To me you're still the only one
Cause you made my heart stand still
Well, it was just for a thrill
And baby you, you, made my heart stand still
Just for a thrill
The Ink Spots’ “Just For A Thrill” is a soulful and heartbreaking ballad about a lover who was merely played with, tossed around, and ultimately left heartbroken. The lyrics speak of how the singer’s lover changed their sunny life and filled it with pain, led them along, and treated them like a toy. Although the lover is free to have fun, the singer is still holding onto the thought that they are the only one for them because they made their heart stand still just for a thrill. The song expresses the vulnerability and fragility of love in a relationship, where the singer is left heartbroken despite their commitment.
The lyrics, just like most of The Ink Spots' songs, are full of honesty and vulnerability, and stresses the importance of self-love and knowing one's worth before getting involved with someone. The melancholic melody is enriched with the harmony of the vocals, giving it a soulful and bluesy quality that encapsulates the song's central message of a love that was never genuine but was only for the thrill.
Line by Line Meaning
Just for a thrill
You chose to cause emotional pain and turmoil in our relationship, for the sole purpose of seeking excitement.
You changed the sunshine to rain
You brought negativity and sadness into our relationship, turning happiness into despair.
You filled my heart with pain
Your actions caused me immense emotional distress and heartbreak.
To me you were my pride and joy
I held you in high esteem, and you were someone I loved and cherished deeply.
But to you, I was merely a toy
You saw me as expendable and someone to be used for your own amusement.
A plaything, that you could toss around at will
You treated me like a disposable item, something you could manipulate and control whenever you wanted.
You made my life one sad song
Your actions brought constant pain and sorrow into my life, leaving me feeling hopeless and depressed.
You just led me along
You gave me false hope and strung me along, keeping me in a state of confusion and uncertainty.
Although you're free and havin' your fun
Despite being able to live your life freely and enjoy yourself without me, you still hold a special place in my heart.
To me you're still the only one
I still deeply care for you, even though you caused me pain and heartbreak.
Cause you made my heart stand still
Your impact on my life was so significant that it left me feeling paralyzed and unable to move forward.
Well, it was just for a thrill
Despite the pain you caused me, I recognize that your actions were driven by a desire for excitement and were not intentional malice.
And baby you, you, made my heart stand still
Your actions had such a profound impact on me that it left me feeling emotionally paralyzed.
Just for a thrill
Despite the immense pain it caused, your actions were driven solely by a desire for excitement.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Don Raye, Lillian Hardin Armstrong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ezcheeze590
definitely my favorite vocal group and one of my favorite musical groups in general, few bands find what they're looking for like the ink spots do, talk about capturing and mastering a theme and mood. thanks for the upload!
Vic Donna
The best of all the "INK Spot" groups, Love it! This is inverted harmony at it's best.
Stephen Allatt
I always enjoy it when Deek Watson gets to take the lead
Ryan \
When you’re drinking that “Just for a thrill.. you know you did me wrong” hits different 😿
Raphael Bernard
Deek has that sound that Satchmo had in his voice. They were contemporaries.
Austin Casey
He was influenced by Armstrong and Slim Green (who also was heavily influenced by Armstrong).
roseanna graham
I love the Ink Spots
Marvin the Maniac
When did Hoppy acquire a stand-up bass?
Matt Heckler
I know Knock was the b-Side for ‘If I Didn’t Care’ — was this a separate single or the B to something else?
Austin Casey
Matt Heckler This was the B side of "It's Funny To Everyone But Me".