It Don't Mean a Thing
Mel Torme and Rob McConnell Lyrics
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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)
The lyrics of "It Don't Mean a Thing" by Mel Torme and The Marty Paich Dek-Tette emphasizes the importance of expressing oneself with swing in music. The repetition of "doo wah" throughout the song emphasizes the rhythm and emphasizes the significance of swing that the lyrics aim to emphasize. The song discusses how it doesn't matter if a song is sweet or hot, as long as it has swaying rhythm, it will captivate its listeners.
The song is emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum and groove when playing music. The lyrics are saying that it's not just enough to play the notes or chords, but the attitude and expression of the song need to be carried through the rhythm as well. The song concludes by saying that if the song doesn't have a swing, it doesn't mean anything.
In summary, "It Don't Mean a Thing" is a song that emphasizes the importance of swing in jazz music. It's a message to musicians that it's not enough to just play the right notes, but to inject swing into their music performances.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
Something is insignificant or meaningless
If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has a certain rhythm or syncopation
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Nonsensical vocal sounds to mimic the swing rhythm
All you got to do is sing
The solution is simple - just perform with the proper rhythm
It makes no diff'rence
There is no distinction between
If it's sweet or hot
Whether the music is mellow or lively
Just give that rhythm
Put emphasis on that particular rhythm
Ev'rything you got
Put in all of your effort
Oh, it don't mean a thing
Again, something is insignificant or meaningless
If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has a certain rhythm or syncopation
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Nonsensical vocal sounds to mimic the swing rhythm
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind