It Don't Mean A Thing
Duke Ellington & Louis Armstrong Lyrics


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What good is melody, what good is music
If it ain't possessin' something sweet?
Nah, it ain't the melody and it ain't the music
There's something else that makes this tune complete

Yes, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
Well, it don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing
It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you got

Yes, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
It don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing, boy
I said, don't mean a thing and all you got to do is sing like
Nah, it makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you've got, oh
Don't mean a thing, boy, if it ain't got-a-that a swing-a




A bo ba doop, bo bo ba doop
Take it

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong's song "It Don't Mean A Thing" talk about the importance of swing in music. The song suggests that the melody and music alone cannot make a tune complete without that essential "something sweet," which is the swing. The lyrics emphasize that the tune's rhythm is the most crucial element that makes it complete. It doesn't matter whether it's sweet or hot; the rhythm is what gives the music its essence. The phrase "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing" is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the significance of rhythm to jazz music.


The lyrics suggest that swing is integral to jazz music, and without it, the music is incomplete. Swing in jazz music refers to the rhythmic feeling that occurs when the performers play together with the same beat, creating a sense of forward momentum that keeps the music moving. In essence, the song's lyrics are a call to action, urging musicians to give the rhythm everything they've got.


Interestingly, the song was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington and his lyricist Irving Mills. They wrote it as a promotional piece to publicize Ellington's Orchestra's performances at the Cotton Club, a famous nightclub in Harlem, New York. The song became a hit, and to this day, it is considered one of the most well-known jazz standards.


Line by Line Meaning

What good is melody, what good is music
Why bother with a melody or music if it doesn't have something special?


If it ain't possessin' something sweet?
What’s the point of a melody and music if it has nothing unique or extraordinary?


Nah, it ain't the melody and it ain't the music
It's not just the melody or the music that makes this tune complete.


There's something else that makes this tune complete
There is an additional element that completes this tune.


Yes, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
If the tune doesn't have that special rhythm, vibe, or swing, then it’s nothing.


Well, it don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing
Even if it lacks a great melody or music, singing with that special rhythm can make it something special.


It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
It doesn't matter if it’s sweet, soft, gentle or hot, intense, wild, as long as the rhythm is right.


Just give that rhythm everything you got
Put all your energy, heart, and soul into that rhythm to make it stand out.


Don't mean a thing, boy, if it ain't got-a-that a swing-a
It’s useless or pointless without that special rhythm or swing.


A bo ba doop, bo bo ba doop
These are scat sounds that mimic the rhythm and tempo of the song.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@TheRealForrestGeorge

What good is melody, what good is music
If it ain't possessin' something sweet?
Nah, it ain't the melody and it ain't the music
There's something else that makes this tune complete

Yes, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
Well, it don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing
It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you got

Yes, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
It don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing
I said, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
Nah, it makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you got
Don't mean a thing, boy, if it ain't that a swing



@wtfman071

1.) Duke Ellington-Singer
     Louis Armstrong-Singer, Trumpet
     Barney Bigard-Clarinet
     Trummy Young-Trombone
     Mort Herbert-Bass
     Danny Barcelona-Drums
2.) Swing
3.) 32 Bar Popular Song Form
4.) I had a different version of this same song where the trumpet player was making some extremely interesting noises using a mute, but I couldn't find any information on who was in that recording so I decided to use this recording. 



@tommy.vercetti2003

What good is melody, what good is music
If it ain't possessin' something sweet?
Nah, it ain't the melody and it ain't the music
There's something else that makes this tune complete
Yes, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
Well, it don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing
It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you got
Yes, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
It don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing, boy
I said, it don't mean a thing, and all you gotta do is sing like
Nah, it makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you got
Don't mean a thing, boy, if it ain't that a swing



All comments from YouTube:

@larsdybvad4789

Louis Armstrong! l loved you since 1959, when l was 7 years old. Your singing voice and trumpet: You are my favorite musician of all time. Thank you very much Louis. I love you !❤

@kahlilsykies9139

One of my many favorites from the master of jazz , Louis Armstrong. It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot. I love Louis Armstrong and this classic smooth sweet song.

@TheLisergicQueen

Jazz music is awesome!! :)

@kahlilsykies9139

Lisergic Queen Agreed ! I love modern jazz. But just ass much I enjoy the past eras , like the era of Louis Armstrong , Duke Ellington , Ella Fitzgerald and Billy Holiday. I feel it's the "golden era " , but that's just me. love it ! And also future artist like the great Miles Davis. I really enjoy the history of the genre. Who are some of your favorites past and present ?. 

@TheLisergicQueen

Kahlil Sykies twowname over all: john coltrane and charles mingus :) im kinda obsessed with their music, hehe

@kahlilsykies9139

Lisergic Queen Those are both great artist. I really enjoy Kenny G , Boney James and Keiko Matsui just to name a few. Jazz is a creative multidimensional genre , with so many talented artist. You seem to have some good taste. It's really cool chatting to others's who enjoy the genre and are informed. As it has gone completely underground , nice talking to from wherever you may be located.

@savard1981

Thank you Duke Ellington!!!!

@AhmedMohamed-uy7pk

This is the best piece of music I’ve ever heard, can’t wait to go to New Orleans and listen to this one day!

@JohnBumaye

One of the Best to ever do it

@mathieumades2356

Extraordinaire, un moment d'éternité !❤️

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