It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
Joe Carroll Lyrics

The lyrics of "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing" by Joe Carroll are a tribute to the importance of swing in music. Swing is a term that refers to the rhythmic feel and groove found in jazz and other musical genres. Without swing, the music can feel flat and lifeless. The song emphasizes that it doesn't matter how sweet or hot the music is – without swing, it ultimately doesn't mean anything.

The opening line of the song, "It don't mean a thing," is a play on the phrase "it doesn't mean anything." The repetition of the phrase and the use of the swing rhythm in the background emphasize its importance. The song encourages listeners to sing and give their rhythm everything they've got, emphasizing that swing is not just a feeling but an active energy that can be brought to the music.

The line "It makes no diff'rence / If it's sweet or hot" acknowledges that swing can be found in different styles of music, from slow ballads to faster, upbeat tunes. It's the presence of the swing that makes the music enjoyable and worth listening to. The song ends with a repetition of the opening lines, emphasizing the importance of swing in the music.