It Don't Mean a Thing
Brood Herman Lyrics

The song "It Don't Mean a Thing" is a classic jazz tune originally written by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills. Brood Herman’s version of the song adds an energetic twist with its fast-paced beat and scatting vocals. The lyrics emphasize the importance of "swing," a term that refers to the rhythmic feeling created by jazz music. Herman suggests that a song may have great melody or lyrics, but if it lacks the "swing" and rhythm that make jazz music unique, it will not be truly considered jazz.

The repetitive use of "doo wah, doo wah" in the song creates a playful feeling and serves as a nod to scatting, a popular jazz singing technique where the vocalist uses nonsense syllables to improvise melodies. The lyrics make it clear that the key to a successful jazz performance is not only to have the right notes, but to perform with soul and energy. The phrase "All you got to do is sing" highlights this idea and suggests that even listeners can feel the "swing" of jazz music by simply enjoying the sounds and feeling the rhythm.

Overall, "It Don't Mean a Thing" is a celebration of the unique and infectious feeling created by jazz music. The song serves as a reminder to both musicians and fans that jazz is more than just a specific type of musical genre, it's a feeling and way of life that’s meant to be experienced as much as it is heard.