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 ā 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 ā d. 4 November 1969, Washington, D.C.) (tenor) (Played guitar and trumpet)
Jerry Daniels (b. 14 December 1915 ā d. 7 November 1995, Indianapolis, Indiana) (tenor) (Played guitar and ukulele)
Charlie Fuqua (b. 20 October 1910 ā 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.
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The Ink Spots Lyrics
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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 energetic and upbeat song that encourages listeners to engage in the rhythm and let loose. The lyrics suggest using music as a tonic for life's troubles and stresses, with "Slap that bass" serving as a sort of call to action. The song highlights the power and importance of rhythm, suggesting that those with it are the happiest people around. The lyrics also make a reference to the political climate of the time, with a call for dictators to "zoom zoom" and escape their seriousness now and then.
Overall, the song presents an optimistic view of life, suggesting that happiness is achievable through music and rhythm. The lyrics also showcase The Ink Spots's distinctive style of close-harmony singing and rhythmic accompaniment. The upbeat tempo of the song and catchy line "Slap that bass" make it a popular and memorable tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Slap that bass
Play the bass with enthusiasm and force
Slap it till it's dizzy
Play it so much that it becomes disoriented
Keep the rhythm busy
Maintain an active, vibrant beat
Zoom zoom zoom
Keep the excitement and energy high
Misery, you've got to go
Get rid of any negative emotions and replace them with positivity
Use it like a tonic
Employ the bass as a source of healing and rejuvenation
Keep your Philharmonic
Maintain a high standard of musical performance
And the milk and honey'll flow
An abundance of success and prosperity will follow
Dictators would be better off
Authoritarian leaders could benefit from incorporating music into their regimes
Today, you can see that the happiest men
Content individuals possess a sense of musicality
All got rhythm
The key to happiness lies within the beat
If you want a bauble
If you desire something tangible
Slap away your trouble
Use the bass to alleviate any worries or hardships
Zoom zoom, zoom zoom
Maintain a lively tempo
The World is in a mess
The state of the world is chaotic and distressing
With politics and taxes
The government and financial systems are contributing to the chaos
And people grinding axes
Individuals are aggressively pursuing their own agendas
There's no happiness
Joy is absent
Rhythm lead your ace
Allow the beat to guide your actions
The future doesn't fret me
I am not worried about what lies ahead
If I can only get me
If I can just find
Someone to slap that bass
An individual to play the bass with passion and vigor
Happiness is not a riddle
The secret to being happy is not a mystery
When I'm listening to that
Whenever I hear
Big bass fiddle
The sound of a deep, resonant bass
(Slap those feet)
(Stomp your feet in time to the rhythm)
Alright, slap that bass
Let's play the bass with energy and fervor
And I'll slap these feet
I'll keep the rhythm going by tapping my feet
Well slap my face
An expression of surprise or shock
Can he slap that bass
Is he capable of playing the bass with skill and enthusiasm?
(Feet)
(Foot stomping continues)
Bass
The bass guitar or fiddle
Lyrics Ā© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
im the real fish !
I consider this a classic inkspots song. Very underrated but so good and fits the time so perfect
Oscar Milch
I played this while I gave my pet cats catnip............it was glorious
Chris Lucero
Hahahaha!!!
I.M. Shirley Rongh
glorious
got any video footage?
Mr. Red
XD
Hunter Harvey
Was literally doing this and saw your comment
Mailey McAslan
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sarysa
While I love Reefer Man, I think I love this one even more. It's just so chill -- it better fits the mood.
Nakednsavage
One of the true great vocal groups, way ahead of their time, nostalgic and yet still cool as fk
Geraldo Machado
OBRIGADO PELAS BELAS MELODIAS!