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.
Whispering Grass
The Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why tell the tress what ain't so?
Whispering grass, the trees don't have to know
no, no
Why tell them all your secrets?
Who kissed there long ago?
Whispering grass, the trees don't need to know
Don't you tell it to the breeze
She will tell the birds and bees
And everyone will know
Because you told the blabbering trees
Yes, you told them once before
It's no secret anymore
Why tell them all the old things?
They're buried under the snow
Whispering grass, don't tell the trees
'Cause the trees don't need to know
Now, don't you tell it to the breeze
'Cause she'll run and tell it to the birds and bees
And everyone would know 'cause you done told the blabberng trees
Yes you did, you told 'em once before
So that's why it ain't no secret any more, hmm, hmm, hmm
Why tell them all the old things?
They're buried under the snow
Whispering grass, don't tell the trees
'Cause the trees don't need to know
The Ink Spots’ “Whispering Grass” is a cautionary tale that warns against the dangers of gossip. Through the personification of natural elements, such as grass, trees, and the breeze, the song suggests that secrets should be kept hidden as they have a way of spreading uncontrollably. The opening lines of the song ask why the grass is whispering and why it is telling things that are not true to the trees. It suggests that there is something in the grass that is causing it to want to spread misinformation.
The lyrics then ask why all secrets have to be told and shared. Why tell secrets to trees that have seen so much history, only to have them spread the secrets to the birds and bees? The song suggests that once a secret is out it is no longer a secret and everyone will know. This is because the blabbering trees have a way of spreading secrets far and wide, and even the breeze cannot keep a secret safe.
The chorus echoes the sentiment that secrets should be kept hidden and not shared because the trees don't need to know. The song emphasizes that whispering grass should not tell the trees any old things because they are already buried under the snow. The repetition of the chorus drives home the message that secrets should be kept hidden and that their spread can have unintended consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do you whisper, green grass?
Why do you speak so quietly and in a secretive manner, green grass?
Why tell the tress what ain't so?
Why share false information with the trees?
Whispering grass, the trees don't have to know
no, no
Grass that whispers secrets does not have to share its knowledge with the trees.
Why tell them all your secrets?
Why reveal all your private information to the trees?
Who kissed there long ago?
Who kissed there long ago?
Whispering grass, the trees don't need to know
Whispering grass does not have to reveal its secrets to the trees.
Don't you tell it to the breeze
Do not tell the secret to the breeze.
She will tell the birds and bees
The breeze will tell other animals, such as birds and bees.
And everyone will know
And everyone will know the secret.
Because you told the blabbering trees
The secret is no longer a secret because you previously told the trees.
Yes, you told them once before
You revealed the secret to the trees on a previous occasion.
It's no secret anymore
The secret is not secret anymore.
Why tell them all the old things?
Why share old information with the trees?
They're buried under the snow
The old things are hidden under the snow.
Whispering grass, don't tell the trees
'Cause the trees don't need to know
Whispering grass should keep its secrets to itself and not share them with the trees.
Now, don't you tell it to the breeze
Now, you should not tell the breeze the secret.
'Cause she'll run and tell it to the birds and bees
The breeze will inform the other animals if you tell it the secret.
And everyone would know 'cause you done told the blabberng trees
Everyone knows the secret because you previously shared it with the trees.
Yes you did, you told 'em once before
You previously shared the secret with the trees.
So that's why it ain't no secret any more, hmm, hmm, hmm
That's why the secret is no longer a secret.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRED FISHER, DORIA DORIS FISHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Garrec
Lyrics:
Why do you whisper, green grass?
Why tell the trees what ain't so?
Whispering Grass, the trees don't have to know.
No, No, Why tell them all your secrets?
Who kissed there long ago?
Whispering grass, the trees don't need to know.
Don't you tell it to the breeze 'cause she will tell the birds and bees
And ev'ryone will know because you told the blabbering trees
Yes, you told them once before;
It's no secret any more.
Why tell them all the old things?
They're buried under the snow.
Whispering Grass, don't tell the trees
'Cause the trees don't need to know.
Don't you tell it to the breeze 'cause she will tell the birds and bees
And ev'ryone will know because you told the blabbering trees
Yes, you told them once before;
It's no secret any more.
Why tell them all the old things?
They're buried under the snow.
Whispering Grass, don't tell the trees
'Cause the trees don't need to know.
MAC
I'm 77 years old. My father drove the tour bus for Louie Armstrong and the Inkspots. Never heard this song till tonight. Wonderful.
Sharon McAuley
Awesome
❤
Katie Irish Eyes
Amazing ☘️
thewhippetwhisperer Etal
He must have had some great memories ❤
Riva Fussball
❤
Sierra
Thank the lord you’ve heard it. God speed.
Grease
I'm 16, soon to be 17 years old and born in 2006. I can assure you this music will never die
Adam Christopher Dixon
Beautifully said
mike heap
You must listen to a cover version from the early 80's with Don Estelle and Windsor Davies a comedy duo from the UK, you won't be dissapointed. 👍🏼
Harold Parratt
@mike heapAh thanks for the memories Mike, used to watch ‘Half Hot Mum all the time!