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.
Slap That Bass
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slap it till it's dizzy
Slap that bass
Keep the rhythm busy
Zoom zoom zoom
Misery, you've got to go
Slap that bass
Slap that bass
Keep your Philharmonic
Zoom zoom zoom
And the milk and honey'll flow
Dictators would be better off
If they zoom zoom now and then
Today, you can see that the happiest men
All got rhythm
In which case
If you want a bauble
Slap that bass
Slap away your trouble
Learn to zoom zoom zoom
Slap that bass
Zoom zoom, zoom zoom
The World is in a mess
With politics and taxes
And people grinding axes
There's no happiness
Zoom zoom, zoom zoom
Rhythm lead your ace
The future doesn't fret me
If I can only get me
Someone to slap that bass
Happiness is not a riddle
When I'm listening to that
Big bass fiddle
Slap that bass
(Slap those feet)
I said slap that bass
(We said slap those feet)
Alright, slap that bass
And I'll slap these feet
Well slap my face
Can he slap that bass
(Feet)
Bass
(Bass)
Bass
(Feet)
The Ink Spots's song Slap That Bass is an upbeat musical number that features the bass as the central instrument driving the rhythm. The lyrics emphasize the importance of music and rhythm in leading a happy life. The song opens with the repeated verses of "slap that bass, slap it till it's dizzy, slap that bass, keep the rhythm busy," which focuses on the physical act of playing the bass to create a lively and lively rhythm. It encourages listeners to use music like a tonic and keep their Philharmonic, which refers to the orchestra that used to play in New Orleans.
The next verse talks about dictators, who would be better off if they learned to zoom zoom now and then, which refers to taking a break and enjoying the music. The song suggests that the happiest people in the world have rhythm and that rhythm is the key to happiness. It concludes with the repeated refrain of "slap that bass" and encouragement to learn to zoom zoom zoom and slap the bass to find happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Slap that bass
Play the bass with vigor and force
Slap it till it's dizzy
Keep playing with energy until the bass is spinning
Slap that bass
Continue playing the bass with intensity
Keep the rhythm busy
Maintain a lively tempo
Zoom zoom zoom
Emphasize the rapid, joyful pace
Misery, you've got to go
Leave negativity behind
Slap that bass
Use the bass for uplifting purposes
Use it like a tonic
Harness the positive energy of the bass like medicine
Slap that bass
Play the bass with enthusiasm
Keep your Philharmonic
Nurture your musical talent and organization
Zoom zoom zoom
Maintain the joyful tempo
And the milk and honey'll flow
Experience an abundance of blessings
Dictators would be better off
Authoritarian rulers could benefit from upbeat music
If they zoom zoom now and then
If they too can maintain a joyful pace
Today, you can see that the happiest men
Happy people know how to celebrate life
All got rhythm
They know how to keep the beat
In which case
As a result
If you want a bauble
If you desire a symbol of happiness
Slap that bass
Find joy in music
Slap away your trouble
Use music as a way to relieve stress
Learn to zoom zoom zoom
Develop a joyful tempo
Zoom zoom, zoom zoom
Maintain the upbeat pace
The World is in a mess
These are troubled times
With politics and taxes
Political unrest and financial burden contribute to problems
And people grinding axes
People are fighting behind the scenes
There's no happiness
Joy is hard to find
Rhythm lead your ace
Music can be an asset in life
The future doesn't fret me
I am not worried about what's to come
If I can only get me
As long as I can obtain
Someone to slap that bass
A partner who shares a love for music
Happiness is not a riddle
It's not a difficult concept to grasp
When I'm listening to that
Especially when music is playing
Big bass fiddle
A musical instrument with a deep sound
I said slap that bass
I encourage you to play that bass
(We said slap those feet)
Others join in and urge the listener to dance
Alright, slap that bass
Let's continue playing the bass with vitality
And I'll slap these feet
I join in dancing with you
Well slap my face
This is surprising
Can he slap that bass
Is he capable of playing the bass well
(Feet), (Bass), (Feet)
A reminder to incorporate dancing and music together
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tolu
Did the Ink Spots ever record a fuller version of the song?
Barry
Slappa that Bass!
Kiera L
BASS has indeed been SLAPPED!
Thorne1435
"SLAP like now!" - Davie504