Ain't It a Good Thing
Bobby Lyrics
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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)
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)
The lyrics to "It Don't Mean a Thing" by Bobby Hackett express the essential nature of swing music. The song asserts that regardless of how sweet or hot a piece of music may be, if it does not have that swing quality, it is entirely meaningless. The opening chorus juxtaposes the phrase "it don't mean a thing" with the upbeat doo-wah rhythm, driving home the point that swing is the essential ingredient.
The second verse of the song implies that anyone can give a piece the necessary swing simply by singing or playing with a particular rhythm. The final chorus affirms the song's thesis that swing is everything and that, without it, even the most technically accomplished pieces of music are empty.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
The importance is very little
If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has rhythm, it is not appealing
doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Vocalizing sounds that denote the rhythm of a song
All you got to do is sing
The only requirement is to contribute to the rhythm
It makes no diff'rence
It is irrelevant
If it's sweet or hot
Whether it's a soft or energetic sound
Just give that rhythm
Focus on the beat
Ev'rything you got
Put all of your ability into creating rhythm
Oh, it don't mean a thing
Once again, the importance is minimal
If it ain't got that swing
Rhythm is the most critical element to make the song sound good
doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Echoing the rhythm of the song with sounds
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Further expressing the rhythm of the song
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tami Branch
I've loved this song since I was a child....
debra quinn
Easy listening at it finest
Sandra Anderson
Even grooved on Bobby Bland Music when I was 12 years old!!!!
Abdirshid Mohamed
bobby bland the teacher of blues I need to listen soon much
Miss Teri
Mega-Awesome! Sheer 'Excellence'. Thank You...
Nar rieux
That baaaass... Oh that bass.
George Banger
Git to that......