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.
Side By Side
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had nothing but shadows
Then one morning you passed
And I brightened at last
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With the sun in my heart
All my worry blew away
When you taught me how to say
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This Rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
Grab your street
In "Side By Side," The Ink Spots describe their transformation from solitude to happiness after meeting someone special. Prior to this encounter, they walked and talked with no one and were consumed by shadows, but upon seeing that person everything changed. They were suddenly filled with a light that brightened their day, and all their worries dissipated. They now greeted each day with the sun in their heart, and when they learned how to say "Grab your coat and get your hat, leave your worry on the doorstep," they found that they could navigate the world in pure happiness. They no longer walked in the shade with blues on parade, and they crossed over to a new way of being. Even if they never have any money, they feel rich and blessed, as if they have gold dust at their feet on the sunny side of the street.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked with no one and talked with no one
I led a solitary life with no one to share my thoughts or experiences
And I had nothing but shadows
There was emptiness and darkness in my life
Then one morning you passed
You came into my life unexpectedly
And I brightened at last
Your presence brought light and joy into my existence
Now I greet the day and complete the day
I start and end each day with a positive outlook
With the sun in my heart
I am filled with happiness and warmth
All my worry blew away
My worries disappeared
When you taught me how to say
You showed me how to see the bright side of things
Grab your coat and get your hat
Get ready to go out and enjoy life
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Forget your troubles and focus on the present
Just direct your feet
Keep moving forward
To the sunny side of the street
Towards positivity and optimism
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
Can't you feel the excitement and happiness?
And that happy tune is your step
And that joyous melody is guiding your every move
Life can be so sweet
Life can be full of happiness and positivity
On the sunny side of the street
If you choose to focus on the good things in life
I used to walk in the shade
I used to be negative and pessimistic
With those blues on parade
I used to be consumed with sadness and despair
But I'm not afraid
But I am no longer fearful
This Rover crossed over
I have transitioned to a more positive outlook on life
If I never have a cent
Even if I have no money
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
I still have wealth in my appreciation for the good things in life
Gold dust at my feet
I am surrounded by abundance and positivity
On the sunny side of the street
Because I choose to focus on the bright side of things
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind