It Don't Mean a Thing
D. Ellington / J. Mills Lyrics
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Wah-dah-doo
Wah-dah-doo, dah-dah-doo, dah-dah-doo
It don't mean a thing
If it ain't got that swing
It don't mean a thing
It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Just keep that rhythm, give it everything you got
It don't mean a thing
If it ain't got that swing
Wa-dah-dah-doo, da-da-doo, da-da-da-dohh
Shoop-dee-doo-dee-doo-dee-doo, dah-dah-dooh
It don't mean a thing
If it ain't got that swing
The lyrics to Duke Ellington and Irving Mills' "It Don't Mean A Thing" convey the importance of swing in music. The song states that regardless of how sweet or hot the music is, if it doesn't swing, it doesn't mean a thing. The repetition of "Wah-dah-doo" and "da-da-doo" create a catchy rhythm and hook that complement the message of the song.
The lyrics also suggest that singing is one of the keys to making a song swing. This is likely a nod to jazz vocalists who were known for their ability to manipulate the rhythm of a song to make it swing. The line "Just keep that rhythm, give it everything you got" emphasizes the importance of commitment and energy when playing music.
Overall, "It Don't Mean A Thing" is a call to action for musicians to prioritize swing and rhythm in their music, even over technical skill or melodic complexity. The repetition of the opening phrases and the catchy hook make the song not only a musical masterpiece but a memorable one as well.
Line by Line Meaning
Wah-dah-doo, wah-dah-doo, Wah-dah-doo, dah-dah-doo, dah-dah-doo
The song starts with a catchy rhythm that creates the foundation for the rest of the musical piece.
It don't mean a thing, If it ain't got that swing
The main message of the song is that music is not enjoyable if it doesn't have a specific rhythm or beat associated with it.
It don't mean a thing, All you got to do is sing
If you sing with the right rhythm or beat, music becomes lively and enjoyable, even if the music itself is not excellent.
It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot, Just keep that rhythm, give it everything you got, It don't mean a thing, If it ain't got that swing
Whether the song is slow or fast, it doesn't matter as long as the rhythm, or the swing, is present.
Wa-dah-dah-doo, da-da-doo, da-da-da-dohh, Shoop-dee-doo-dee-doo-dee-doo, dah-dah-dooh
The song concludes with the catchy rhythmic pattern, highlighting the essential aspect of the song, which is the swing or rhythm required to enjoy music.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@owethumhlongo1494
She deserved a title ' Queen of Jazz' without a doubt! 😊
@chaumari
It was between her and Sarah Vaughn💐
@direfranchement
She had a better title---The First Lady of Song. She was called thr Queen of Scat, and certainly she was a singer birthed of the Swing era, but she was so versatile to call her the Queen of Jazz would give insight into only one dimension of her craft. She was bigger than that.
@mthunzimhlongo660
ACTUALLY THE GODDESS OF JAZZ
@owethumhlongo1494
Indeed NJOMANE
@peterblack1639
Owethu Mhlongo yes she was clearly the Queen Of Jazz singing in a style that has long been lost.....
@inapix
I just love how the Duke clearly is in awe of her, with his little glances and smiles at her while she’s singing and his hug afterwards. Ella seems like such a lovely person, as well as such an incredible singer!
@marckodiak8513
After you mentioned this I went back and watched this, I am always just so focused on her but yes he is 🤩
@dalilabendjedou2061
I’m French and listening the song in my school Sorry my English is....😂 so I’m 12 year
@KiraSlith
I would be too, the pipes on her were incredible, dare I say a revolutionary marvel for the era. The only other places you saw anything comparable was the competitive era of rap (late 90s to the end of the 00s) and Scatman, and none of them could both fill a room with their voice and singing like that at the same time.