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.
Streets of Dreams
The Ink Spots Lyrics
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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
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
Streets of Dreams by The Ink Spots is a song that celebrates the excitement of a new day at midnight, offering hope and opportunity to anyone feeling weighed down by life. The opening verse encourages the listener to trade in their old dreams for something new, to join others on the street of dreams and begin a new chapter in life. The song creates an image of hope on this street, where people can find camaraderie and positivity, regardless of their social status. Love, the universal emotion, is what reigns supreme on these streets, and even kings are reduced to nothingness in the face of its power.
The lyrics also suggest that no one is truly poor as long as love is around. The overall message of the song is that even if your dreams are broken, they can be reconstructed on the street of dreams. The song is a gentle reminder that life can be challenging, but there's always hope, particularly when we come together.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight, you heavy laden, it's midnight
It's late at night and you're feeling burdened and weighed down.
Come on and trade in your old dreams for new
Let go of your past aspirations and embrace new ones.
Your new dreams for old
Let go of your current aspirations to revisit past ones.
I know where they're bought
I am aware of where your dreams can be obtained.
I know where they're sold
I am aware of where your dreams can be sold.
Midnight, you've got to get there at midnight
You need to arrive at the place where dreams are obtained at midnight.
And you'll be met there by others like you
You'll encounter others who share your desires.
Brothers as blue
Fellow seekers who are feeling similarly downhearted.
Smiling on the street of dreams
They'll be happy on the road to discovering their desires.
Love laughs at a king
Love doesn't hold prestige in high regard.
Kings don't mean a thing
Societal status and wealth are unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
Dreams broken in two can be made like new
Aspirations that were previously shattered can be revived.
Gold, silver, and gold
All the riches you could ever hope for are attainable.
All you can hold is in the moonbeams
Wealth beyond measure can be found in the celestial realm.
Poor, no one is poor
No one is impoverished as long as love is present.
Long as love is sure
When love is a constant, there is no such thing as lack.
Midnight, look at the steeple, it's midnight
The clock is chiming, indicating that it's late.
Unhappy people, it's ringing with joy
Despite the late hour, people are happy because they are pursuing their desires.
It's ringing with cheer
There is enthusiasm in the air.
'Cause yesterday's gone
The past is left behind.
Tomorrow is near
A new day, full of potential, is on the horizon.
Midnight, the heart is lighter at midnight
In the late hours of the night, people's hearts are lifted.
Things will be brighter the moment you find
Once you discover what you truly desire, everything will look more positive.
More of your kind
More people who share your passions.
Smiling on the street of dreams
These people will be happy to have found and be chasing their dreams.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Jones
My mum is having this song at her funeral age 90 she knew gold and silver not make any good life it love that does it
Mason JH
Chris Jones my condolences good sir
Dimas oliveira junior
espetacular
Dylan Tavares
Who else still listening in 2019
Nekro007 🔱
2023
Shortfacts
2024
DeltaWaffle Gaming
Since 2014
SteveTheCart
This is it!
Brian Patrick Crowley
The songs sounds like it’s referencing Heaven...golden streets, the unimportance of kings...
Nekro007 🔱
❤️