In a career which spanned half a century, he worked in these capacities for such artists as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Sarah Vaughan, Stan Kenton, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt, Stan Getz, Sammy Davis Jr, Michael Jackson, Art Pepper, and a hundred others.
However, his name is essentially unknown outside professional circles. He took little interest in self-promotion, never acquired a personal agent, happily saw his business affairs managed by his capable first wife, Huddy, and as soon as finances permitted decamped Los Angeles for a ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley north of Santa Barbara. There, he engaged his twin fantasies of riding horses and operating a private museum devoted to the saddles, books, rifles and guns of the American west. For a boy raised in urban Oakland California, this was a charmed leap.
(Wikipedia)
It Don't Mean a Thing
Marty Paich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it ain't got that swing
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
It don't mean a thing
All you got to do is sing
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
If it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm
Ev'rything you got
Oh, it don't mean a thing
If it ain't got that swing
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Marty Paich's "It Don't Mean a Thing" is a song that focuses on the importance of swing in music. The lyrics convey the idea that regardless of how sweet or hot the sound may be, it is ultimately the rhythm that makes the music worth listening to. The repeated use of the "doo wah" phrase adds a playful and rhythmic aspect to the song, further highlighting the importance of having a steady beat. The message is quite clear: if a song doesn't have groove or swing, it simply does not have the same appeal.
The repetition of the phrase "It don't mean a thing" emphasizes the idea that the quality of the sound depends on the rhythm. The phrase is also used in tandem with the "doo wah" phrase, which creates a memorable hook for the listener. The rhythm-heavy emphasis is further supported by the line "Just give that rhythm everything you've got". The song is a celebration of music and encourages listeners to appreciate the importance of rhythm and swing in creating a memorable sound.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
The importance of something is insignificant
If it ain't got that swing
If it doesn't have a certain rhythm or feeling
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Repeating a nonsensical phrase to emphasize the point
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Continuing to emphasize the point
It don't mean a thing
The importance of something is insignificant
All you got to do is sing
Simply performing with energy can make up for any shortcomings
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Repeating a nonsensical phrase to emphasize the point
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Continuing to emphasize the point
It makes no diff'rence
It doesn't matter
If it's sweet or hot
Whether it's slow and smooth or fast and energetic
Just give that rhythm
Focus on the beat
Ev'rything you got
Put all your effort and energy into it
Oh, it don't mean a thing
The importance of something is insignificant
If it ain't got that swing
If it doesn't have a certain rhythm or feeling
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Repeating a nonsensical phrase to emphasize the point
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Continuing to emphasize the point
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