It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
Previn/Lowe/Brown 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 to Previn/Lowe/Brown's song "It Don't Mean a Thing If it Ain't Got That Swing" speak to the importance of rhythm in music. The phrase "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing that without a certain rhythm and energy, music can lack meaning and impact. The song suggests that even if a piece of music is "sweet or hot," if it lacks that essential "swing," it cannot fully engage the listener. The song encourages the singer to give their all to the rhythm, to "sing" it, and to make sure it has "everything you got."
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
There is no value in something
If it ain't got that swing
If there is no rhythm or beat to it
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Exaggerating the swing sound
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Continuation of exaggeration of the sound
It don't mean a thing
There is no value in something
All you got to do is sing
All that is required is to add some rhythm into it
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Exaggerating the swing sound
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Continuation of exaggeration of the sound
It makes no diff'rence
It does not matter
If it's sweet or hot
Whether it is a slow or fast-paced rhythm
Just give that rhythm
Place emphasis on the rhythm
Ev'rything you got
Put in all your effort
Oh, it don't mean a thing
There is no value in something
If it ain't got that swing
If there is no rhythm or beat to it
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Exaggerating the swing sound
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Continuation of exaggeration of the sound
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, IRVING MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind