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.
Mine All Mine My My
The Ink Spots Lyrics
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My, my, my, meet that friend
I can't believe my eyes, just can′t realize
That an angel from above is right and close to my side
My, my, my, ain't that gorgeous?
My, my, my, ain't that fine?
And to think that just today, I heard the preacher say
So, you′re the guy that they call the "hip care"?
(Well, I got-, I got- my, I got-, I got-)
Yeah, you're the guy that knew just what to do
(Well, I always-)
I know, you′ve been ever played
(And I've seen-, I′ve seen-, I've seen-)
And you′ve seen everything
(Bu-but I always-, I-I-I)
And women to you, son, ain't s'ppose to mean they
(Blabbering)
And they are stayin′ in their raven
(Blabbering)
You better watch out, son, looked like to me you′re getting ready to bust your face
(Blabbering)
I know, you don't climb that last long here
(Babbling)
And I heard you when you said I will
So it′s bye, bye, bye, son, bye, bye
(Blabbering)
My, ain't that pretty?
My, ain′t that fine?
Jack, I give (Inaudible) my fire
(Uhuh)
Jack, have you ever heard where (Inaudible)
Sure, did
Now she's mine, all mine, my, my
The Ink Spots's song "Mine All Mine My My" is a song about unexpected love. The song's narrator finds himself amazed and enchanted by the beauty of the woman he has just met. The singer can't believe that he has had such good fortune to find an angelic woman right by his side. He marvels at her beauty and the fact that the preacher has declared her to be all his.
The song's lyrics also include a brief conversation between two men, one of whom is known as the "hip cat." The hip cat brags about his experience with women, but the other man warns him to be careful, or he'll "bust his face." The conversation serves to contrast the singer's genuine surprise and delight at his new love with the playboy attitude of the hip cat.
This song's sweet and romantic lyrics were typical of The Ink Spots' music, which was hugely popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Their vocal harmonies were influential on later doo-wop and R&B groups, and their songs continue to be covered and sampled by contemporary artists.
Line by Line Meaning
My, my, my, ain't that pretty?
I am amazed by the beauty of what I am seeing.
My, my, my, meet that friend
I am happy to see my friend.
I can't believe my eyes, just can't realize
I am finding it hard to believe that what I am seeing is real.
That an angel from above is right and close to my side
I feel very lucky to have such a beautiful and kind person by my side.
My, my, my, ain't that gorgeous?
I am amazed by the beauty of what I am seeing.
My, my, my, ain't that fine?
I am impressed with what I am looking at.
And to think that just today, I heard the preacher say
I am amazed that I came across such a wonderful person the same day the preacher talked about destiny.
That she's mine, all mine, my, my
I feel very lucky to have this person in my life.
So, you’re the guy that they call the ‘hip care’?
You seem to be someone who is knowledgeable about how to navigate social situations.
Yeah, you're the guy that knew just what to do
You always seem to know how to handle different situations.
And you've seen everything
You seem to have a lot of life experience.
I know, you’ve been ever played
You have been through a lot of difficult times.
And women to you, son, ain't s'ppose to mean they
You do not see women as important individuals.
And they are stayin' in their raven
You believe that women should be confined to particular roles.
You better watch out, son, looked like to me you're getting ready to bust your face
You need to be careful that your behavior does not get you into trouble.
I know, you don't climb that last long here
You are not going to be in a good position in the long run if you continue your current behavior.
And I heard you when you said I will
I heard you say that you could change and improve your behavior.
So it’s bye, bye, bye, son, bye, bye
I am saying goodbye to you because I am not willing to wait and see if you will change.
Jack, I give (Inaudible) my fire
I am giving this person my blessing and support.
Jack, have you ever heard where (Inaudible)
Have you ever heard the phrase (inaudible)?
Sure, did
Yes, I have heard that phrase before.
Now she's mine, all mine, my, my
I feel very lucky to have this person in my life.
Writer(s): Los Lee
Contributed by Jordyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Charles Larocco
Great recording.
Deek Watson brought out the best of every recording he was part of
doesn't matter
Always one of my favourite ink spots songs.