It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
Louis Armstrong & The Duke Ellington Orchestra Lyrics
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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
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
Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing" is a classic song that conveys the importance of rhythm in music. The song emphasizes that melody and music alone are not enough if they don't possess something sweet. The lyrics indicate that there's something more that makes the tune complete, and that something is swing. The song suggests that music must have a particular groove, rhythm, or swing, without which it won't mean anything.
The song also highlights that it doesn't matter whether the music is sweet or hot. All that matters is that the rhythm is dynamic and captivating. It demands that the musicians and performers give it their all and put everything they've got into creating music that swings. The song suggests that swing is a certain feeling, a state of mind or soul, that arises when the music has the right groove and rhythm that can't be replicated just by playing notes. In essence, "It Don't Mean a Thing" is a song that emphasizes the importance of swing, as without it, music won’t mean or be anything.
Line by Line Meaning
What good is melody, what good is music
What's the point of a melody or music if it lacks something sweet?
If it ain't possessin' something sweet?
If it's not sweet or enjoyable, what's the point?
Nah, it ain't the melody and it ain't the music
The melody and music alone are not enough.
There's something else that makes this tune complete.
Something more is needed to make this song whole.
Yes, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
The song is incomplete without that specific kind of rhythm.
Well, it don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing
As long as the song has that rhythm, all you need to do is sing.
It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Whether the song is slow or fast, it doesn't matter.
Just give that rhythm everything you got
Focus on that specific rhythm and give it your all.
It don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing, boy
Without that specific rhythm, the song is nothing.
I said, don't mean a thing and all you got to do is sing like
Just sing! The rhythm does the rest.
Nah, it makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
The tempo doesn't matter, as long as it has that rhythm.
Just give that rhythm everything you've got, oh
Concentrate on that rhythm and give it your best effort.
Don't mean a thing, boy, if it ain't got-a-that a swing-a
The song is worthless without that specific rhythm.
A bo ba doop, bo bo ba doop
The rhythm that makes the song complete.
Take it
Get into the rhythm and sing the song!
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Celular nn
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!
(Babadoo, ladoo, pasasyfloo, badgagsfghdoo...)
I said, it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
(Lala...)
Nah, it makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you got,
Oh ! Don't mean a thing, boy, if it ain't that a swing
Zachary Moyer
Jazz isn't feeling what you're playing, it's playing what you're feeling.
Joshua Q
Zachary Moyer i have always felt this way and i thought i was crazy for thinking it. Oh thank you for clarity
Caleb Rowold
There needs to be a return of this style of music.
Shiro Coldkeyes The Hedgehog
I agree actually; I hate modern day music
Erick Borling
No livelihood in it. I can play it and I know the repertoire, but even back then you had to go to Europe or Japan to find the best audience and art culture.
BluBerry
@Kyle Valdes It's rare tho, make it more common like this
BluBerry
@David Corral Yeah but isn't that the DJ kind of stuff? Last time I heard an Electroswing it was electric, not these instruments.
Catsare 2cute
Im Japanese and live there and there are many jazz music festivals even for free in open areas during the beautiful evening for hours!
Mr59coconut
If your not smiling with this you just don't get it. It's so good.
Elijah Espinoza
This kind of music never goes out of style. It's timeless and beautiful.