It Don't Mean a Thing
Robin Nolan Trio (Featuring Randy Greer) Lyrics


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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)
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)
It makes no diff'rence
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)

Overall Meaning

Robin Nolan's song "It Don't Mean A Thing" is a classic jazz tune that speaks to the importance of a certain feeling in music. The lyrics state that it doesn't matter how sweet or hot the music is, or how well it's played or sung, if it doesn't have a certain rhythm and swing to it. The doo-wahs that follow each line of lyrics emphasize the point that the song is making.


What the song is saying is that there's something intangible and essential to good music, something that's not necessarily anything you can put your finger on, but that you know when you hear it. It's the interplay of instruments, the beat, the melody, and the lyrics, all working together to create a certain feeling in the listener. That feeling is what makes music great, and what sets apart the truly special songs from the merely good ones.


In essence, "It Don't Mean A Thing" is a call to appreciate the nuances of music, to recognize that there's something magical about the way it can move us and make us feel. Whether you're a musician or just a casual listener, this classic jazz tune reminds us to never settle for music that doesn't have that certain swing.


Line by Line Meaning

It don’t mean a thing
Any activity or action is pointless and fruitless


If it ain't got that swing
If it lacks the element of rhythm and energy


(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah


Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)


It don’t mean a thing
Anything is insignificant


All you got to do is sing
Just put your heart into it and give it your best


(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah


Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)


It makes no diff'rence
It doesn't matter


If it's sweet or hot
Whether it's mellow or intense doesn't signify anything


Just give that rhythm
Put all your energy in the beat


Ev'rything you got
Exert all your power


Oh, it don't mean a thing
It is irrelevant and insignificant


If it ain't got that swing
If it lacks the liveliness of the rhythm


(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah


Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, IRVING MILLS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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