Flick That Thing
Betty Lyrics


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It don't mean a thing
If it ain't got that swing
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
It don't mean a thing
All you got to do is sing
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
It makes no diff'rence
If it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm
Ev'rything you got
Oh, it don't mean a thing
If it ain't got that swing




(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Betty Carter's song, "It Don't Mean a Thing," highlight the importance of the swing rhythm in music. The phrase "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing" is repeated in the song, emphasizing the central message. The doo-wahs between the lyrics add to the rhythmic feel and showcase the improvisational nature of jazz music. Carter's use of scatting further enhances the theme of the swing rhythm by incorporating it into her vocalizations.


The song implies that even if the melody is not the most important aspect of a song, the rhythm and swing are crucial for making it enjoyable to listen and dance to. The lyrics "it makes no diff'rence if it's sweet or hot, just give that rhythm ev'rything you got" convey this notion. Carter emphasizes the importance of providing the rhythm with everything one has through her passionate delivery of the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

It don't mean a thing
Something isn't important or has no significance.


If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has a particular lively rhythm or energy to it.


(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
A repeated vocalization or scatting, imitating instrumentation and reinforcing the idea of a rhythm.


All you got to do is sing
Just vocalizing, no additional instrumentation necessary to achieve a desirable rhythm.


It makes no diff'rence
There is no appreciable variation or differentiation.


If it's sweet or hot
Whether it has a smoother, gentler sound or a rough, energetic quality


Just give that rhythm
Emphasizing the importance of the repeated beat or energy of the song.


Ev'rything you got
Full effort and energy is required to achieve the desired sound.


Oh, it don't mean a thing
Reiterating the idea that something is insignificant.


If it ain't got that swing
Restating that a particular lively rhythm or energy is necessary for a song to be meaningful or worthwhile.


(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Repeating the scatting to emphasize the importance of the rhythm.


Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Continuing the scatting and reinforcing the rhythm.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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