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.
People Will Say We're in Love
The Ink Spots Lyrics
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Why do the neighbors chatter all day, behind their doors?
I know a way to prove what they say is quite untrue.
Here is the gist, a practical list of "donts" for you.
Don't throw bouquets at me
Don't please my folks too much
Don't laugh at my jokes too much
Don't sigh and gaze at me
Your sighs are so like mine
Your eyes mustn't glow like mine
People will say we're in love!
Don't start collecting things
Give me my rose and my glove.
Sweetheart they're suspecting things
People will say we're in love.
Don't praise my charm too much
Don't look so vain with me
Don't stand in the rain with me
People will say we're in love!
Don't take my arm too much
Don't keep your hand in mine
Your hand feels so grand in mine
People will say we're in love!
Don't dance all night with me
Till the stars fade from above.
They'll see it's alright with me
People will say we're in love.
The Ink Spots's song People Will Say We're in Love is a love song that expresses the concerns of two lovers about what other people might say or think about their relationship. They are worried about the gossip and rumors that might start among their neighbors and acquaintances. The song begins with the question of why people create stories that link the singer's name with his lover's. The singers know that their affection for each other is pure and true, so they want to prove to everyone that the rumors are untrue. They list a few practical tips or "don'ts" to avoid giving the wrong impression to people.
The song warns against throwing bouquets, pleasing the family too much, laughing at jokes too much, sighing and gazing too much, and looking vain or standing in the rain for too long with the lover. Each of these actions might suggest to others that they are more than just friends, while the two lovers want to keep their relationship secret and private. They conclude the song with the assurance that they can dance all night till the stars fade from above, and it's alright with them because their love is real.
Overall, the song's lyrics express the anxiety and vulnerability of two people who are deeply in love but feel threatened by the outside world's judgment and scrutiny. They know that they can't control what others say or do, but they can control their own behavior and avoid giving anyone a reason to doubt their intentions. The song's message is both romantic and realistic, acknowledging the challenges and risks of falling in love in a society that often judges and condemns people based on their romantic choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do they think up stories that link my name with yours?
Why do people make up rumors that connect my name with yours?
Why do the neighbors chatter all day, behind their doors?
Why do the neighbors gossip about us all day long?
I know a way to prove what they say is quite untrue.
I have a plan to show that what they're saying is completely false.
Here is the gist, a practical list of "donts" for you.
Here are some practical things you should avoid doing to prevent people from thinking we're in love.
Don't throw bouquets at me
Don't give me flowers as a romantic gesture.
Don't please my folks too much
Don't try to impress my family too much.
Don't laugh at my jokes too much
Don't find my jokes overly amusing.
People will say we're in love!
Otherwise, people will think we're in love!
Don't sigh and gaze at me
Don't give me longing looks and sighs.
Your sighs are so like mine
Your sighs are too similar to what I would do if I were in love.
Your eyes mustn't glow like mine
Your eyes should not shine brightly like mine do when I'm in love.
Don't start collecting things
Don't begin hoarding mementos or keepsakes from our time together.
Give me my rose and my glove.
Just give me back the rose and glove I gave you earlier.
Sweetheart, they're suspecting things
Darling, people are getting suspicious about our relationship.
Don't praise my charm too much
Don't compliment me excessively on my charms or qualities.
Don't look so vain with me
Don't act too proud or smug when we're together.
Don't stand in the rain with me
Please don't stand in the rain with me and make it seem like we're in a romantic movie scene.
Don't take my arm too much
Don't hold onto my arm too often or for too long.
Don't keep your hand in mine
Don't hold my hand in yours for extended periods of time.
Your hand feels so grand in mine
Although it's tempting to hold your hand, it just looks like we're in love.
Don't dance all night with me
Don't dance with me for the entirety of the night.
Till the stars fade from above.
Until the stars in the sky disappear.
They'll see it's alright with me
People will realize that it's okay for us to dance and be friendly, but not necessarily in love.
People will say we're in love.
The main point is to avoid doing things that could be interpreted as romantic, otherwise, people will assume we're in love.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind