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 β 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 β d. 4 November 1969, Washington, D.C.) (tenor) (Played guitar and trumpet)
Jerry Daniels (b. 14 December 1915 β d. 7 November 1995, Indianapolis, Indiana) (tenor) (Played guitar and ukulele)
Charlie Fuqua (b. 20 October 1910 β 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.
The Best Things in Life Are Free
The Ink Spots Lyrics
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The best things in life are free
The stars belong to everyone
They gleam there for you and me
The flowers in spring
The robins that sing
The sunbeams that shine
And love can come to everyone
The best things in life are free
These lyrics by The Ink Spots in the song The Best Things In Life talk about how some of the most beautiful and valuable things in life are free and available to everyone. The moon, stars, and sunbeams are all natural beauties that we can all enjoy, regardless of our social standing or wealth. The flowers in spring and the robins that sing represent the renewal and beauty of nature that is also free for all to enjoy.
Additionally, the lyrics mention that love can come to everyone, indicating that one of the most important things in life is also free. Love is not something that can be bought or sold, it is a feeling that can be experienced by anyone, rich or poor. By emphasizing that some of the best things in life are free, the song encourages the listener to appreciate and value the simple pleasures in life.
Overall, The Ink Spots song The Best Things In Life reminds us to focus on the things that truly matter in life and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day.
Line by Line Meaning
The moon belongs to everyone
The moon is a shared treasure accessible to all
The best things in life are free
Truly valuable things in life do not come with a price tag
The stars belong to everyone
The stars belong to humanity as a whole and cannot be owned
They gleam there for you and me
We all have the privilege of enjoying the beauty and wonder of the stars
The flowers in spring
The colorful, vibrant blooms of spring are a gift to everyone
The robins that sing
The sweet, cheerful songs of the spring birds are free for all to hear
The sunbeams that shine
The warm and comforting rays of the sun are a constant presence in our lives
They're yours, they're mine
We all have equal and shared access to the beauty and goodness in the world
And love can come to everyone
Love is not something that can be bought or sold, it is freely available to those who seek it
The best things in life are free
True happiness and fulfillment come from the simple and priceless pleasures in life
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lew Brown, B. G. De Sylva, Ray Henderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@UvaldonKom
LYRICS
The moon belongs to everyone
The best things in life are free
The stars belong to everyone
They gleam there for you and me
The flowers in spring
The robins that sing
The sunbeams that shine
They're yours, they're mine
And love can come to everyone
The best things in life are free
@josereinaldo3517
The moon belongs to everyone The best things in life are free The stars belong to everyone They gleam there for you and me The flowers in spring The robins that sing The sunbeams that shine
The flowers in spring
They're yours, they're mine
And love can come to everyone The best things in life are free Honey, the moon belongs to everyone You know the best things in life are free
And the stars, they belong to everyone They're shining up there for you and for me The flowers in spring The robins that sing The sunbeams that shine They're yours, they're mine And love can come to everyone The best things in life are free The best things in life are free
@chrisdaily2077
Movies belong to everyone
The best things in life are free
Games belong to everyone
Which is why I pirate for me
Mario Kart Wii
Zelda and Kirby
Star Wars Eight and Nine
They're yours, they're mine
Pirating stuff is so much fun
The best things in life are free!
@connoreross01
I love games like BioShock and fallout because the resurrect treasures like this song!
@teodorodavilis2848
Connor Ross well, games like Bioshock are rare, cause masterpieces are normally rare
@Yomika14xyukina44
Connor Ross me too
@Yomika14xyukina44
Connor Ross yup
@diegoestupinan3199
donΒ΄t forget mafia II ;)
@bugglemagnum6213
Bioshocks atmosphere is unmatched
@songanddanceman100
I like knowing how people got here b/c I don't play video games and I never would have known that this good music had found a new, young audience through video games. So, hooray!
@UkuleleAversion
songanddanceman100 Wholesome.
@1995yuda
@Tom Parker indeed
@dodongxander1384
I hope youre doing fine brother