Along with his unflinching ability to sing it sweet and play it dirty, he creates a perfect blend of melody that’s simple but right, as is the way with the blues…
Described as “Possibly one of the best performers to come out of Australia for quite sometime, amazing lap steel slide guitar and a song writing ability that belies his years” (Argus News Ireland),
Campbell combines a moving, gutsy, old time sound that marries authenticity with incredible energy.
Its honest music that tells a story, rich with influences from The Band, Van Morrison, Townes Van Zandt, a little Johnny Cash, and the raspy emotion of Ray Lamontagne, Campbell’s bluesy drawl melded with a soulful slide guitar, beckons his audience to join him in his steamy, swampy, growling world.
Owen has been touring non-stop, impressing audiences all ove the globe, from Ireland and the UK,Denmark,Italy India, Austria, Germany AND Papua New Guinea! From the highest blues festival in the world; The Himalayan Blues Festival in Katmandu (2008/2010), Nepal, as well as at home in Australia. His 2nd Album “Sunshine Road” has been in the Australian Blues Radio Charts for most of 2011
It Don't Mean a Thing
Owen Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A dream you'd left me babe
Oh, it don't mean a thing
When I came to, your train had left the station
Oh, it don't mean a thing
It don't mean
Oh, it don't mean nothing babe
I wanna know
You take me down
Then you redeem a life with your hands
Now c'mon
Dance with me baby!
Yeah, you dance with me baby!
A little time for me
My heart is glued to a mess of a life honey
Oh, it don't mean a thing
Your tears are reminding me of another trainwreck time, sugar
Oh, it don't mean a thing
It don't mean
Oh, it don't mean nothing baby
I wanna know
How a man can be so foolish
You take me down
And you redeem a life with your hands
Now c'mon here,
You dance with me baby!
Yes oh, you dance with me baby!
Yes sugar!
Oh one more, yes!
How do you do
I guess I'm fine sugar
Oh, it don't mean a thing
Whenever you leave, your mamma will be happy honey
Oh, it don't mean a thing
It don't mean
Oh, it don't
Don't mean nothing baby
I wanna know
How a man can be so foolish
You take me down
And you redeem a life with your hands
Step on back and
One more time for me!
Yes, dance with me baby!
You, come on back!
Yes, come on back!
Yes you do!
And one more time for me!
Oh you dance with me baby!
All round the night
Oh you dance with me baby!
End
The lyrics to Owen Campbell's song "It Don't Mean a Thing" tell a story about heartbreak and confusion, with elements of redemption and self-reflection. The singer describes a dream in which their lover left them, and wakes up to find that their train has actually left the station. The chorus repeats the phrase "it don't mean a thing," emphasizing the idea that this event may be meaningless in the grand scheme of things. The singer asks how a man can be so foolish, likely referring to themselves and their failed relationship, but also acknowledging the complexity of human emotions and actions. Despite the painful memories of past mistakes, the singer asks their former lover to dance with them, perhaps yearning for connection and healing.
Throughout the song, there are repeated references to trains and the idea of leaving, hinting at a sense of loss or longing. The singer also notes that their heart is "glued to a mess of a life," suggesting that they may feel stuck or uncertain about their future. However, the presence of tears and a redemptive touch from their lover implies that there may be hope for a brighter future, despite the pain of the past. Overall, the lyrics to "It Don't Mean a Thing" blend melancholy and optimism, portraying the complexities of romantic relationships and the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I had a dream
I had a dream about you, dear.
A dream you'd left me babe
I dreamt that you had left me, babe.
Oh, it don't mean a thing
It doesn't matter anymore.
When I came to, your train had left the station
When I woke up, you were already gone.
It don't mean a thing
It really doesn't matter.
It don't mean
It really doesn't matter.
Oh, it don't mean nothing babe
It truly doesn't matter, my dear.
I wanna know
I really want to understand.
How a man can be so foolish
How can a man be so naive?
You take me down
You bring me low.
Then you redeem a life with your hands
Then you try to make it better with your actions.
Now c'mon
Come on now.
Dance with me baby!
Let's dance together.
Yeah, you dance with me baby!
Yes, dance with me, my love.
A little time for me
Spend some time with me.
My heart is glued to a mess of a life honey
My life is in shambles and I'm struggling with it.
Your tears are reminding me of another trainwreck time, sugar
Your tears remind me of another painful time in my life.
It don't mean a thing
It truly doesn't matter.
It don't mean
It really doesn't matter.
Oh, it don't mean nothing baby
It really doesn't matter, my dear.
I wanna know
I really want to understand.
How a man can be so foolish
How can a man be so naive?
You take me down
You bring me low.
And you redeem a life with your hands
And you try to make it better with your actions.
Now c'mon here,
Come on over here.
You dance with me baby!
Let's dance together.
Yes oh, you dance with me baby!
Yes, dance with me, my love.
Yes sugar!
Yes, my dear.
Oh one more, yes!
One more time, yes!
How do you do
How are you doing?
I guess I'm fine sugar
I suppose I'm doing alright, my dear.
Oh, it don't mean a thing
It really doesn't matter anymore.
Whenever you leave, your mamma will be happy honey
When you leave, your mother will be relieved, my love.
It don't mean a thing
It truly doesn't matter.
It don't
It really doesn't matter.
Don't mean nothing baby
It really doesn't matter, my dear.
I wanna know
I really want to understand.
How a man can be so foolish
How can a man be so naive?
You take me down
You bring me low.
And you redeem a life with your hands
And you try to make it better with your actions.
Step on back and
Take a step back and
One more time for me!
One more dance with me!
Yes, dance with me baby!
Let's dance together, my love!
You, come on back!
You, come back!
Yes, come on back!
Yes, come back!
Yes you do!
Yes, you do!
And one more time for me!
One more dance with me!
Oh you dance with me baby!
Oh, let's dance together!
All round the night
All through the night.
Oh you dance with me baby!
Oh, let's dance together!
Contributed by Charlie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.