Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was a trumpet player, singer, and bandleader, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.
You'll Have To Swing
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it
And if you can't sing it, you simply have to
Swing it
I said swing it
Oh-oh-oh swing it
And don't ding it
Oh mister Paganini, we breathlessly await
And if you can't sling it
You'll simply have to swing it
I said swing it
And scattywahwah
And wahdyscatla
We've heard your repertoire and
At the final bar
We've greeted you with wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation
Pat-scoodle-atty-doody yeah yeah yeah
Oh Mister Paganini, now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve, go on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you'll simply have to
Swing it
The lyrics of "You'll Have to Swing It" by Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb and His Orchestra are all about musical performance, specifically the performance of a particular song by Niccolò Paganini, a famous violinist from the 19th century. The song starts with a plea for Paganini to "play my rhapsody", but also acknowledges that if he can't play it, then he should sing it instead. If he can't sing it either, then he'll simply have to "swing it", meaning improvise and make it his own. The lyrics continue with playful scatting and vocalizations, celebrating Paganini's musicianship and his ability to capture an audience regardless of the specifics of the song he's performing.
A key theme of the song is the idea of making the most out of whatever situation you're in. If you can't play the notes exactly as written, then put your own spin on it and make it work for you. This philosophy could apply not only to music, but to life in general. The song is also a celebration of creativity and improvisation, two qualities that are highly valued in jazz music.
Overall, "You'll Have to Swing It" is a joyful and lighthearted tribute to a musical legend, filled with scatting, vocalizations, and exhortations to swing it. The song highlights the improvisational nature of jazz music and encourages listeners to embrace their own creativity and make the most of any situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Mister Paganini, please play my rhapsody
I request that you play my musical composition, Mr. Paganini
And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it
If you are unable to play the composition, could you sing it instead?
And if you can't sing it, you simply have to Swing it
If singing isn't an option for you, then you must perform the composition with a swinging rhythm
I said swing it
I insist that you perform the composition with a swinging rhythm
Oh-oh-oh swing it
Perform the composition with a lively, rhythmic swing
And don't ding it
Don't deliver a mediocre performance
Oh mister Paganini, we breathlessly await
We eagerly anticipate your performance, Mr. Paganini
Your masterful détente, go-o on and sling it
Your impressive playing technique, please showcase it now
And if you can't sling it You'll simply have to swing it
If you're unable to demonstrate your technique, resort to a swinging rhythm to impress us
I said swing it
Once again, I insist that you perform the composition with a swinging rhythm
And scattywahwah And wahdyscatla
Use some improvisational scat singing to add flair to your performance
We've heard your repertoire and At the final bar
We're familiar with your previous performances, and as we reach the end of this one
We've greeted you with wild applause
We're applauding you enthusiastically
But what a great ovation Your interpretation
Your unique and skillful interpretation deserves this great response
Pat-scoodle-atty-doody yeah yeah yeah
Use some more scat singing to emphasize the success of your performance
Oh Mister Paganini, now don't you be a meanie
Please don't disappoint us, Mr. Paganini
What have you up your sleeve, go on and spring it
What surprises or impressive techniques do you have in store for us? Please showcase them
And if you can't spring it, you'll simply have to Swing it
If you're unable to deliver any surprises, you must resort to a swinging rhythm to satisfy us
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SAM COSLOW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nancyleecountry1
The concert was over in Carnagie Hall
The maestro took bow after bow
He said my dear friends
I have given my all
I'm sorry it's all over now
When from the gallery way up high
There suddenly came this mournful cry
Mister Paganini please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it won't you sing it
And if you can't sing it you simply have to
Booh beeh deeh dooh beeh dooh dweeh dooh eeh eeh doh ah, ah loh ah oh
Mister Paganini we breathlessly await
Your masterful baton go on and sling it
And if you can't sling it you simply have to
Bah, eeh, eeh, bah dooh booh beeh dooh beeh daw
Eeh yooh boh eeh yooh beeh dooh beeh dooh
We've heard your repertoire and at the final bar
We greeted you with wild applause
But what a great ovation your interpretation
Oh boh dooh beh deed beeh deeh beh deeh doh boh deeh beeh deh beeh
Eeh beeh deeh beeh hum dooh bah bouam dam dah oh
Mister Paganini now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve come on and spring it
And if you don't spring it that means you have to
Eeh, dooh dooh bah dooh pah pah peeh peeh
Deeh deeh deeh leeh deeh deeh dooh ding deeh deeh
Dleeh dooh deeh deeh dleeh oh deeh dah dah
Oh mister Paganini please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it won't you sing it
And if the boys are bopping ain't no need in stopping
Ooh bah beeh tooh bah beeh teeh dah dah lah
Boh toh boh doh boh doh doh deh deh loh doh bah noh bah
Mister Paganini we breathlessly await
Your masterful baton go on and sing it
If the boys are bopping ain't no need in stopping
A tisket
A tasket
I lost my yellow basket
Bop, beeh boh peeh pah dah yooh boh dooh beeh yooh beeh
Heard your repertoire and at the final bar
We greeted you with wild applause
What a great ovation your interpretation
Bah tooh looh yeah dooh wah dooh
Listen Paganini now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve come on and spring it
And if you don't spring it that means you'll have to
We've heard your repertoire and at the final bar
We greeted you we greeted you with wild applause
Oh but what a great ovation your interpretation
Bah beh dooh boh deeh beh deh beh boh boh beeh leh deh
Beeh deeh beeh boh boh beh eeh deeh dah dah dah noh
Mister Paganini now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve come on and spring it
And if you don't spring it that means you'll have to swing it
@giorgiacacciapuoti1582
The concert was over in Carnegie Hall
The Maestro took bow after bow
He said, "My dear friends, I have given my all
I'm sorry, it's all over now"
When from the gallary way up high
There suddenly came this mournful cry
Mr. Paganini
Please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it?
And if you can't sing it, you'll simply have to
PUBBLICITÀ

Mr. Paganini
We breathlessly await, your masterful baton
Go on and sling it
And if you can't sling it, you'll simply have to
We've heard your repertoire
And at the final bar
We greeted you with round applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation of... Mr. Paganini now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you don't spring it, that means you'll have to
Mr. Paganini, please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, wont you sing it?
And if the boys are bopping
Aint no need in stopping Mr. Paganini
We breathlessly await, your masterful baton
Go on and sling it
If the boys are bopping
Ain't no need in stopping
A tisket a tasket, I lost my yellow basket
Heard your repertoire
And at the final bar
We greeted you with round applause
What a great ovation
Your interpretation of... Listen Paganini
Now, don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you don't spring it, that means you have to...
We've heard your repertoire
And at the final bar
We greeted you, we greeted you
With wild applause
Oh but what a great ovation
Your interpretation... Mr. Paganini, now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you don't spring it
That means you have to swing it
@forvee03
We used to play this on the jukebox endlessly at The Pub at the Univ of Wisconsin in 1962. Loved this.
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1968 {April 28th} Ella Fitzgerald performed "Mr. Paganini" on the CBS-TV musical variety program, 'The Ed Sullivan Show'...
In 1961 it reached #20 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
And on the same 'Sullivan' show she also performed her covered version of "Can't Buy Me Love", four years earlier in May of 1964 Verve Records released "Can't Buy Me Love", b/w "Hello Dolly", neither side made Billboard's Top 100 chart, but "Can't Buy Me Love" did peak at #24 on Germany's GfK Entertainment chart...
Between 1936 and 1963 the Virginia native had fifty-seven charted records, twenty made the Top 10 with four reaching #1, "Goodnight, My Love" {1936}, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" {1938}, "I'm Making Believe" {1944}, and "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" {1944}...
Ella Jane Fitzgerald passed away at the age of 79 on June 15th, 1996...
May she R.I.P.
@diddywahdaddy
Her singing is out of this world...
@nancyleecountry1
The concert was over in Carnagie Hall
The maestro took bow after bow
He said my dear friends
I have given my all
I'm sorry it's all over now
When from the gallery way up high
There suddenly came this mournful cry
Mister Paganini please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it won't you sing it
And if you can't sing it you simply have to
Booh beeh deeh dooh beeh dooh dweeh dooh eeh eeh doh ah, ah loh ah oh
Mister Paganini we breathlessly await
Your masterful baton go on and sling it
And if you can't sling it you simply have to
Bah, eeh, eeh, bah dooh booh beeh dooh beeh daw
Eeh yooh boh eeh yooh beeh dooh beeh dooh
We've heard your repertoire and at the final bar
We greeted you with wild applause
But what a great ovation your interpretation
Oh boh dooh beh deed beeh deeh beh deeh doh boh deeh beeh deh beeh
Eeh beeh deeh beeh hum dooh bah bouam dam dah oh
Mister Paganini now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve come on and spring it
And if you don't spring it that means you have to
Eeh, dooh dooh bah dooh pah pah peeh peeh
Deeh deeh deeh leeh deeh deeh dooh ding deeh deeh
Dleeh dooh deeh deeh dleeh oh deeh dah dah
Oh mister Paganini please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it won't you sing it
And if the boys are bopping ain't no need in stopping
Ooh bah beeh tooh bah beeh teeh dah dah lah
Boh toh boh doh boh doh doh deh deh loh doh bah noh bah
Mister Paganini we breathlessly await
Your masterful baton go on and sing it
If the boys are bopping ain't no need in stopping
A tisket
A tasket
I lost my yellow basket
Bop, beeh boh peeh pah dah yooh boh dooh beeh yooh beeh
Heard your repertoire and at the final bar
We greeted you with wild applause
What a great ovation your interpretation
Bah tooh looh yeah dooh wah dooh
Listen Paganini now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve come on and spring it
And if you don't spring it that means you'll have to
We've heard your repertoire and at the final bar
We greeted you we greeted you with wild applause
Oh but what a great ovation your interpretation
Bah beh dooh boh deeh beh deh beh boh boh beeh leh deh
Beeh deeh beeh boh boh beh eeh deeh dah dah dah noh
Mister Paganini now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve come on and spring it
And if you don't spring it that means you'll have to swing it
@adeolagbadamosi3799
Nancy Lee thank you so much for the lyrics i listened to this with my dad at 7years old now I'm 57! The power of great music!
@ronaldolson6460
What Treasures.
@mariannepoon
Amazing talent. Ella's voice is so wonderful. AND, it's nice to hear a song that's not about relationships! Just a girl pining over love...
@OHSIS
Currently learning this amazing song for my jazz gigs x
@Lottalox
6 people don't know what great jazz is.
@adeolagbadamosi3799
Lottalox my late Dad played this over and over I treasure this record so much! Ella!