All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Feat. Ivie Anderson Lyrics

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Chillun', listen here to me
This is my philosophy
To see me through the day
To scare my cares away

All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
All God's Chillun got swing
Maybe haven't got money

Maybe haven't got shoes
All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
For to push away the blues
Yeah !

All God's Chillun got trouble
Trouble don't mean a thing
When they start to go ho ho ho de ho
Troubles bound to go 'way, say!

All God's Chillun Got Swing.

Overall Meaning

In Duke Ellington's song "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm," the lyrics express a philosophical notion that the rhythm and the swing that all humans carry within them is enough to neutralize the hardships of life. In trying times, this rhythm can serve to release us of our troubles and worries, even if we lack the external resources commonly perceived to bring happiness or peace of mind. The song suggests that this inner rhythm, this beat that unites us all, has the power to help us hold on to hope and carry us through.

Moreover, the lyrics also highlight that the troubles onto us don't mean a thing, as we all carry within us the same internal harmony that can triumph over any obstacle. In these times of sorrow and distress, our inner swing is the primary tool to push away the blues and to find peace and tranquility, regardless of the challenges we face. The song consistently emphasizes the concept of rhythm and swing as a symbol of unity that can bring individuals together despite their differences, emphasizing the importance of human connection and cooperation as they march forward.

Line by Line Meaning

Chillun', listen here to me
Children, pay attention to my words

This is my philosophy
I'm about to share my life philosophy

To see me through the day
To help me get through the day

To scare my cares away
To eliminate my worries and stress

All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
All people have a natural sense of rhythm

All God's Chillun got swing
All people have a groove and positive energy

Maybe haven't got money
Maybe they are lacking in financial resources

Maybe haven't got shoes
Maybe they barely have the basic necessities

All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
But they have rhythm, which is a sign of hope

For to push away the blues
To chase away sadness and depression

Yeah !
Expressing enthusiasm and agreement

All God's Chillun got trouble
Everyone faces struggles and hardships

Trouble don't mean a thing
Such difficulties don't define one's worth

When they start to go ho ho ho de ho
When people start to sing and dance

Troubles bound to go 'way, say!
Problems are bound to disappear with such positivity

All God's Chillun Got Swing.
All people have a groove, which lifts up spirits

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: THOMAS 'FATS' WALLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@rebeccapackburr8476

8y↑22

One of the greatest scenes in one of the greatest films. Of its time yet timeless.
Love Ivie Anderson. Thanks for posting.

@mmraider8124

She's from my hometown.

@vova47

7y↑11

Fantastic clip, I couldn't believe it when I saw it first! Real jazz singing in a middle of Marx brothers comedy! We have to thank the director Sam Wood for casting Ivie Anderson in this picture.

@tthom2459

37w↑2

What a talent! My 1st time hearing Ms Anderson. She's Amazing!

@johnmarlin7269

3y↑1

This is so amazing. The first time I saw this film, I was awed -- there's an authenticity and honesty here that so moves me. Thank you for posting it.

@cbs2don

13y↑1

Ivie was fantastic. Glad we have clips like this to preserve a record of her talent. Health issues shortened her career and eventually her life.

@hallailluusio

15y↑1

Exactly! She is so wonderful, the music is in her body.

@MiaHessMusic

4y↑2

I grew up with this movie and song. I loved when I was 6, love it 66! I thought those folks were so talented!

@naturalthing1

14y

What a beautiful voice. This was recorded straight onto film while she's dancing/performing...unlike today's singers where they go back into the studio and overdub.

@buryyourdraws

They way that big dude could dance legit made my jaw drop. It just happened, I was there.

@waynebrasler

15y↑11

Judy Garland loved the Ivie Anderson record so much she used the same arrangement for her Decca version. Think what a big star Ivie would be today.

@tthom2459

37w

can definitely see Ivie's influence on Judy Garland . . . lot's of similarities

@mike48877

37w↑1

I also noticed Judy's arrangement was identical.
Both Judy and the Marx Bros. Were under contract to MGM, JUDY was allowed to record for Decca. So, it's no surprise that Ivy's arrangement would be used by Judy. MGM may have owned the arrangement. Judy and lvy must have crossed paths, and Judy loved "swing."

@brucekuehn4031

52w↑2

Ivie Anderson may not be well known today, but she was Duke Ellington’s singer for 11 years. She only retired because of chronic asthma.
It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing) was recorded in 1932. This clip was filmed in ‘37 without Duke. I Got it Bad (And That Ain’t Good) came out in 1941. There were plenty of hit songs in between. A wonderful entertainer with a remarkable voice - she was a big deal in jazz music during that time.

@oki_music

11y↑2

well shes on so many duke ellington records, theres no way she'll ever be forgotten.

@skyrin9

11y↑3

Ivie Anderson is so good. But it is so sad how history has almost forgotten her. I had to research her and theres almost nothing. its sooo sad

@jayhartbarger2793

5y↑3

I had heard this by Martha Raye. Nice to hear this version.

@bvscfanatic

14y↑24

Though many will see "stereotyping" in this wonderful scene from "A Day At The Races", the reality is somewhat otherwise. For its time (1937) it was it was a rare and wonderful opportunity for some amazingly talented Black singers and dancers to be showcased before white audiences. Mae West, the Marx Brothers and Jack Benny (among others) were ahead of their time by introducing Black talent to white audiences.

@peggyhernandez3693

4y↑4

this was a great movie, a classic among the greats, Evie anderson and all the dancers. and singers again thanks.

@ucan810

4y↑1

Just this.... but true indeed :)

@waldolydecker8118

Typical excuse-making, white guy nonsense. The "stereotyping," dumbo, is in how the number was chosen to be staged, not in the "talent." The talent is undeniable...there wouldn't be any "Mae West" if it wasn't for the talented black female singers who preceded Ivy Anderson in the 1920's.

This number could have been staged any of a 1001 ways. Astaire's numbers were deliberately chosen to be staged in classy white tie, tux and tails; this one was deliberately chosen to be staged in a quasi-plantation scene, complete with all the stereotypical mugging, overweight dancer, and studio-mandated eye-ball rolling...all typical studio mandates during this Jim Crow era film. Not saying this number should be staged in white tie and tux; that's equally a ridiculous extreme as the plantation antics staging they chose.

Cut the phony excuse-making and revisionist explanations. Most of these Jim Crow era Hollywood movies were consistent in their portrayals of black performers with stereotypical racial imagery, with only a few occasional exceptions. That's the way it was, and denial or revisionism can never change it because its too well documented. Accept the facts for what they are....this and many other scenes like it were intentionally staged 'stereotypical" because that was the overwhelming attitude of the day. It wasn't the attitude of the performers; it was the attitude of the studios and the surrounding political structure of the country.

@215Gallagher

3y↑2

Ivie dancing with a big 'butter and eggs man'. Again I ask, why is Ivie almost completely unknown when she was one of the originals. Ella Fitzgerald who took over from Ivie in the Duke's orchestra owed so much of her phrasing and delivery to Ivie (though Ella was the greatest singer of all time) and as such Ivie should be better known.

@peggyhernandez3693

4y↑1

thank you for such great remnerence of times gone by.

@noirkiss3

11y

Day at the Races, beautiful track.

@Amadi45

8y↑5

This is awesome

@elbandito7504

Excellent!

@mafiabrother4428

2y↑1

Erroll Garner's beautiful rendition brought me here

@jadon360

6y↑6

I See the Beautiful Dandridge sisters, Dorothy and Vivian in the background.

@we4wary1s

12y↑10

@DjDedan I hope you realize the Marx Brothers were Jewish. They couldn't go to a lot of places either, and they were very vocal about their abhorrence to anything like that. They never changed their names to something safe and non ethnic like some people did and still do. No sugar coating. The Marx Brothers liked a lot of music, and they put a lot of music into their movies, just because they liked it. They didn't care who made it, as long as it was good.

@Gangstagran

I love the Marx Brothers and admire them for their genius and for putting Ivie Anderson in their movie - but to say they never changed their names (Harpo, Groucho, Chico, Zeppo) is - well, just a bit silly

@sawomirmanikowski6742

4y↑3

Music to that movie was written by Polish immigrant Bronisław Kaper.

@waffleliberty89

4y↑1

Hold up.
I heard this in Tom and Jerry film short. Mouse Trouble

@GonzaloWorl97

6y↑2

What does it mean for you 'scat singing'?

@KarenMargaretSchmidler

6y↑1

Gonzalo Jimenez - scat singing- improvised jazz singing in which the voice is used in imitation of an instrument. 😀

@GonzaloWorl97

Karen Margaret Schmidler ah ok :) then I'm sorry because I didn't know that term and I thought it meant 'bad singing' hahaha

@KarenMargaretSchmidler

6y↑1

Gonzalo Jimenez. Happy to explain! ☺

@DavoFrito

15y↑1

This is so not true. The issue isn't the talent, it's the media mogul scouts that keep signing and producing the cookie cutter sounds. There are people with voices right out of yesteryear, but you won't find them on your TV or your stereo...

@GonzaloRiquelme

14y↑5

Tom & Jerry!!

@djdedan

13y

@Bandaids4ever hmm i always thought white folks not being able to dance is a new stereotype not an old one. considering during the swing age and even the early rock and roll age everyone was dancing. i think it wasn't until the 60's with the free dance movement that white folks stopped listening to danceable music... thats my theory anyway - cheerio.

@djdedan

13y↑1

@Bandaids4ever lol - some black folk have no rhythm either - believe it or not ;-)

@djdedan

13y

@bvscfanatic i have to say you are distorting some history here, white folks were constantly exposed to black talent (cotton club comes to mind), it was common practice to allow blacks to perform at white establishments they just couldn't actually by PATRONS of these establishments. This is a great scene but not because of what you say, its great because these guys got talent DESPITE all the obstacles they had to overcome DAILY. It was a terrible time and yet look at the art. no SUGAR COATING.

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