It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
Dick Hyman Group feat. Howard Alden 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 Dick Hyman Group feat. Howard Alden's song "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing" emphasizes the importance of rhythm in music. The lyrics suggest that no matter how good a song might be, if it doesn't have that "swing" or rhythm, it is essentially meaningless. The song tries to explain that the "swing" of music is what gives it its life force and its ability to make people want to dance and enjoy themselves.
The use of the phrase "doo wah, doo wah" is an onomatopoeic reference to the swing and rhythm in music, further emphasizing its importance. The lyrics also suggest that anyone can enjoy music as long as they can sing along or dance to it, so there's no need for complicated musical arrangements or techniques.
Overall, the lyrics of the song highlight the importance of rhythm in music and how it is the most basic and essential component in making music enjoyable and alive.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
Having no swing, whatsoever, renders it meaningless
If it ain't got that swing
The lack of swing decreases its value
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
This refrain underlines the importance of swing in the music
It don't mean a thing
Once again, stressing the importance of swing
All you got to do is sing
Any song, regardless of its other attributes, can be saved with the proper swing
It makes no diff'rence
Regardless of whether the music is sweet or spicy in nature,
If it's sweet or hot
It will not matter
Just give that rhythm
The key is to provide the swing rthym creatively and imaginatively
Ev'rything you got
With every ounce of your talent and energy
Oh, it don't mean a thing
More emphasis on the importance of swing
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Re-emphasising the importance of swing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, IRVING MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JTKelleher
Dick Hyman long time arranger and performer on Woody Allen movies. A truly great musician and all round nice guy.
@darioluzi
Il migliori musici, non mi sento solo.
@jordifreek
Amazing at 6:25 how the guitar ends his part and all the band comes up in a super dancy moment... happy happy happy! Great arrangement :)
@StanGay
Wow this is some excellent music selections, and well recorded to boot !
@juancantador4134
SENCILLAMENTE MARAVILLLOSAAAAAA!!!!!!!
@mrjimmienoone2130
Who are the other musicians? Formidable clarinetist!
@rbrhrbr
Clarinetist is Ken Peplowski
@inconito8796
fiction in a woody allen's moovie
@longtalljay
8 years later: I think Jeff was asking about "Dick Hymen" being a real name.
@Mr22thou
@@longtalljay Hymen is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname. His parents named him Richard. Feel free to come up with your own punchline if you like. Undoubtably, He's heard them all.