Having the distinct honor of playing the world's premier Django Tribute Festival for the third time in June 2003 at Samois-sur-Seine, France where the gypsy guitar king is laid to rest, The Trio also appeared the following month at New York's Lincoln Center Django Festival commemorating the 50th anniversary of Reinhardt's passing. American demand brought RNT back to The States only three months later in September 2003 when they toured select cities in support of their sophomore CD, Boulevard of Broken Dreams. One of the stops on that tour included a four-night festival date at the 3rd Annual DjangoFest Northwest hosted by Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in the Seattle Sound.
While RNT's inspiration lies in gypsy jazz, Latin and Hot Club de France, The Trio has a decidedly contemporary feel and fire up their music with their own expressive "je ne sais quoi." Peppered with hypnotic rhythms and rippling melodic themes, RNT's repertoire features jazz standards from the greatest composers of the 20th century (e.g., Ellington, Gershwin, Waller, etc.), as well as an increasing list of original compositions. Two of eleven originals on their debut CD, Mediterranean Blues, were featured in the MGM major motion picture film, Autumn in New York, directed by Joan Chen and co-starring Richard Gere and Winona Ryder. RNT will return to North America in June 2004 to perform jazz festivals in Canada as well as some US dates including a three-night Django Fest in the San Francisco Bay.
Personnel:
Robin Nolan (United Kingdom) - Lead Guitar
Kevin Nolan (United Kingdom) - Rhythm Guitar
Simon Planting (Holland) - Upright Bass
It Don't Mean a Thing
Robin Nolan Trio 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)
The Robin Nolan Trio's "It Don't Mean A Thing" is a timeless classic that emphasizes the importance of swing rhythm in jazz music. In the lyrics, swing rhythm is compared to an essential ingredient that needs to be present in order for the music to have any significance. The repeated phrase "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing" is a playful way of stating that without swing, jazz music loses its luster and excitement.
Furthermore, the song highlights that whether a piece is mellow or fiery is irrelevant to the importance of swing. The ability to infuse a piece with swing helps add a sense of movement and energy throughout the music. The simplicity of the lyrics works as an invitation for everyone to join in and participate by merely singing and allowing themselves to be carried away by the power of the rhythm.
Overall, "It Don't Mean a Thing" celebrates the importance of the swing rhythm in jazz music. The song's lyrical simplicity, in combination with its upbeat tempo and repeated refrain, makes it an instant classic that will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
The thing being referred to here lacks significance or value.
If it ain't got that swing
Swing music is defined by a particular rhythm or beat which must be present for the thing in question to be of value or interest.
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
This is a nonsensical set of syllables meant to imitate the rhythm and cadence of swing music.
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
This is a nonsensical set of syllables meant to imitate the rhythm and cadence of swing music.
It don't mean a thing
Again, the thing being referred to lacks significance or value.
All you got to do is sing
Simply performing or creating something in the style of swing music is enough to give it value or interest.
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Again, this is meant to imitate the rhythm and cadence of swing music.
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Again, this is meant to imitate the rhythm and cadence of swing music.
It makes no diff'rence
Regardless of any other characteristics or attributes, the following thing is of equal value or interest.
If it's sweet or hot
Regardless of whether the thing is gentle or aggressive in tone, style, or approach.
Just give that rhythm
The key to making the thing in question valuable or interesting is to embody or convey the particular rhythm of swing music.
Ev'rything you got
The performer or creator must put all of their energy and passion into delivering the rhythm of swing music.
Oh, it don't mean a thing
Yet again, it is emphasized that the thing being referred to lacks significance or value.
If it ain't got that swing
And once again, the particular rhythm of swing music is established as the deciding factor in whether the thing in question is of value or interest.
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
A final repetition of the nonsensical syllables meant to imitate the rhythm and cadence of swing music.
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
A final repetition of the nonsensical syllables meant to imitate the rhythm and cadence of swing music.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mademepickaname
Vignola is an amazingly versatile guitarist.
joaehun
amazing how jimmy starting playing soo young and got to this amazing groove still when he was younger. suuuuper sweeet version of the jazz standard.
Julien Guillaume
jimmy s playing made me smile right in the middle of the night.. frank is awsome. terrific playing. damn good
KMK-ZSMK
Real guys at real hard work.
Nothing but respect to both!
Meet Nick
This is on repeat these days,..Jimmy is very good and fast , but i love the approach that Frank Vignola uses it sounds fabulous,...!!! Great stuff....
Jorge Garcia
Jimmy and Frank are lightning gold,thanks for posting
Robert Van Housen
Really swinging and really WONDERFUL! Thanks for sharing.
Terry Fink
Amazing! Great job fellows!
Lee Walsh
The best I've ever heard Jimmy play.
KMK-ZSMK
They play with a full respect to each other.
Respect from us, (the lazy listeners. :) )
Great video!
Respect for posting this splendid piece of real art. Thanks a lot, Daniel van Eek!