(1934-1954)

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.

Street Of Dreams
The Ink Spots Lyrics

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Midnight, you heavy laden, it's midnight
Come on and trade in your old dreams for new
Your new dreams for old
I know where they're bought
I know where they're sold
Midnight, you've got to get there at midnight
And you'll be met there by others like you
Brothers as blue

Smiling on the street of dreams

Love laughs at a king
Kings don't mean a thing
On the street of dreams
Dreams broken in two can be made like new
On the street of dreams
Gold, sliver and gold
All you can hold is in the moonbeams
Poor, no one is poor
Long as love is sure
On the street of dreams

Midnight, look at the steeple, it's midnight
Unhappy people, it's ringing with joy
It's ringing with cheer
'Cause yesterday's gone
Tomorrow is near
Midnight, the heart is lighter at midnight
Things will be brighter the moment you find
More of your kind
Smiling on the street of dreams

Love laughs at a king
Kings don't mean a thing
On the street of dreams
Dreams broken in two can be made like new
On the street of dreams
Gold, sliver and gold
All you can hold is in the moonbeams
Poor, no one is poor

Long as love is sure
On the street of dreams

Overall Meaning

The song "Street of Dreams" by The Ink Spots appears to be a reflective ballad about the hope and renewal that can be found among a group of people who gather at midnight on a particular street. The opening lines establish the setting and mood - the listener can almost feel the weight of despair lifted as the suggestion is made to trade in old dreams for new. The singer suggests that the dreams can be found and sold at a specific place, the street of dreams, where other people like the listener are smiling, creating a sense of community. The phrase "brothers as blue" suggests that these people have all faced challenges and sadness in their lives.

The chorus seems to be addressing the theme of love's power to transform, as it laughs at kings and makes poverty irrelevant. The image of gold and silver being found in moonbeams offers a dreamlike sense of possibility, that even the richest treasures can be found in unusual places. The repetition of the phrase "On the street of dreams" underscores that the source of this magic transformation is this specific location of gathering.

The second verse continues this exploration of how the street of dreams offers hope and positive change. The image of an unhappy steeple becoming a source of joy is a poignant metaphor for how even the most deeply ingrained sources of sorrow can be transformed. The singer's suggestion that "more of your kind" can be found on this street implies that this is a shared journey towards hope, and that individual growth is amplified in community.

Line by Line Meaning

Midnight, you heavy laden, it's midnight
It's midnight and you're feeling burdened with your old dreams

Come on and trade in your old dreams for new
Replace your old, unfulfilled dreams with new ones

Your new dreams for old
Let go of the new dreams that don't satisfy you and go back to old ones that do

I know where they're bought
I know where to find new dreams

I know where they're sold
I know where to get rid of old dreams

Midnight, you've got to get there at midnight
It's important to go to the dream market at midnight

And you'll be met there by others like you
Other people looking for new dreams will be there too

Brothers as blue
People feeling down and in need of new dreams

Smiling on the street of dreams
Happy because they found their new dreams

Love laughs at a king
Love is more powerful than material wealth or status

Kings don't mean a thing
Being a king doesn't guarantee happiness or love

Dreams broken in two can be made like new
Even if your dreams have been shattered, they can be renewed and revived

Gold, silver and gold
Everything you could ever want or need is available

All you can hold is in the moonbeams
Everything is within reach like how everything is within the moonbeam's reach

Poor, no one is poor
As long as you have love, you're not poor

Long as love is sure
As long as you're confident in your love, you're rich

Midnight, look at the steeple, it's midnight
It's midnight and you're looking up at the church's tower

Unhappy people, it's ringing with joy
Those who are unhappy are suddenly filled with joy because of the bell's sound

It's ringing with cheer
The bell symbolizes hope and happiness

'Cause yesterday's gone
Yesterday is over and done with, so it's time to move on

Tomorrow is near
A reminder that the future holds promises of good things

Midnight, the heart is lighter at midnight
People feel better and lighter at midnight

Things will be brighter the moment you find
Your life will get better as soon as you find what you're looking for

More of your kind
People who are just like you and share your struggles and dreams

Smiling on the street of dreams
Happily going about their business knowing that they've found what they need

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sam Lewis, Victor Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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