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.
No Orchids For My Lady
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No sparkle in the wine
For other lips have told my lady
To pass beside this love of mine
So there's no rapture in our meeting
No kisses when we part
The orchids I gave my lovely lady
Were clutched on someone else's heart
The Ink Spots's song No Orchids For My Lady tells the story of a man who is trying to confess that he has lost his love to another. The lyrics reveal that he no longer wants to put in the effort to make his lover happy because he knows that her heart belongs to someone else. There is no greater gesture of affection than to present a bouquet of orchids to your significant other, but the singer refuses to do so because he knows that they will only adorn someone else's heart.
As the song progresses, the audience can feel the remorse and pain the man is experiencing. His words convey that he does not want to let go of his significant other, but he has realized that his love is unrequited. Their meetings are empty and without passion because the spark that once ignited their love has been extinguished. In a moment of sorrow, he admits that the orchids he had given to his lovely lady were clutched on someone else's heart. The lyrics of No Orchids For My Lady deliver a powerful message about the heartbreak that comes with unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
No orchids for my lady
I cannot give flowers to my lover anymore
No sparkle in the wine
Everything seems dull and joyless
For other lips have told my lady
My lover has been warned by someone else about me
To pass beside this love of mine
To reject me and look for another love interest
So there's no rapture in our meeting
There is no excitement or passion in our encounters
No kisses when we part
We don't even kiss when saying goodbye
The orchids I gave my lovely lady
The flowers I gave to my beloved
Were clutched on someone else's heart
Are now being held by another person who is not me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tal Sydney Lightbody
one of my favorites. he (Bill)can be so powerful with one breath.
Blake Allport
Fancy seeing you here 😂
chaskenny
The end is superb. How does Bill Kenny reach that note and hold it for so long?
mattharrington1000
brilliant,, this is one of my favourites
Graeme Webb
Great one Austin, keep them coming. Graeme.
bluenote824 jones
Great
Trevor Eklof
Bruh he just wants his orchids