NRR Project: 'If I Didn't Care' (1939)

 

NRR Project: ‘If I Didn’t Care’

Composed by Jack Lawrence

Performed by the Ink Spots

Recorded 1939

3:09

First of all, read Andrew Hickey’s excellent explanatory essay here. I can only echo his words.

The Ink Spots were a vocal quartet much in the style of the already popular Mills Brothers, although initially they essayed more comic material. They formed in 1934, and worked steadily at all manner of gigs until they made a huge hit of “If I Didn’t Care,” which sold an amazing 19 million copies.

The song runs on highs and lows – first, the soaring tenor of Bill Kenny, followed by a spoken reprise of the lyrics by bass Hoppy Jones, then another repetition of the opening. This style was immediately co-opted by many other groups, but nothing could compare to the originals. It’s a sweet and yearning tune that still enchants decades later.

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next time: ‘In the Mood.’