It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra 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 song "It Don't Mean a Thing" by Roger Wolfe Kahn & His Orchestra is all about the importance of swing music. The repetition of the phrase "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing" emphasizes the idea that no matter how sweet or hot the music might be, it won't matter if it doesn't have that crucial element of swing. Swing is a type of jazz music that became popular in the 1930s and 40s, characterized by a strong rhythm and emphasis on improvisation.
The lyrics are essentially an invitation for listeners to let go and enjoy the music, without worrying about its melody or lyrics. "All you got to do is sing" suggests that as long as there's a strong beat and rhythm, anyone can enjoy the music and participate in it. The song also suggests that the most important thing about swing music is the rhythm and timing, rather than complex melodies or lyrics.
Overall, "It Don't Mean a Thing" celebrates the joy and energy of swing music, emphasizing that as long as the music has that key element of swing, it doesn't matter what else it might offer.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
It's meaningless
If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has that rhythm
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Instrumental
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Instrumental
It don't mean a thing
It's meaningless
All you got to do is sing
Just sing along
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Instrumental
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Instrumental
It makes no diff'rence
It doesn't matter
If it's sweet or hot
Whether it's soft or hard
Just give that rhythm
Play that beat
Ev'rything you got
Give it your all
Oh, it don't mean a thing
It's still meaningless
If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has that rhythm
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Instrumental
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Instrumental
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KeyUploads
Sample durations for albums sampling this:
Brutal for the losing
0:32 - 0:50 A1 - Down along
1:43 - 2:23 C3 - A relationship losing breaks
2:23 - 3:07 C4 - Battle with the sublime along
1:18 - 1:22 F8 - A relationship dissappointingly losing
0:00 - 0:32 G3 - Mental breaks down
2:14 - 2:23 I2 - Relationship increasingly breaks
As the home deserved
0:50 - 1:21 A5 - Along with the last
@donaldlampert331
Roger Wolfe Kahn is my favorite band leader, out of all the great bandleaders of the era!! This is one of his finest pieces - makes me feel great! It really does portend the "Swing era" of a few years later! Thanks, Danka!!
@idasynco
WOW, I've heard a lot of versions of this famous tune, but I have to say this one is most unusual especially the vocal refrain with those train like whistles. I love it!! FAVS!!
@240252
@bill3murr Thanks Bill, I love this record. It shows what amazing progress Roger Wolfe Kahn's band - that sdtarted as a typical hotel dance orchestra, had made in a couple of years in the turn of 1920/30s - in becoming an excellent swing band. Pity, no chance was given to them to go farther.
@KeyUploads
Sample durations for albums sampling this:
Brutal for the losing
0:32 - 0:50 A1 - Down along
1:43 - 2:23 C3 - A relationship losing breaks
2:23 - 3:07 C4 - Battle with the sublime along
1:18 - 1:22 F8 - A relationship dissappointingly losing
0:00 - 0:32 G3 - Mental breaks down
2:14 - 2:23 I2 - Relationship increasingly breaks
As the home deserved
0:50 - 1:21 A5 - Along with the last
@bill3murr
glitz and glamor of the big apple....it seems to always swing. love the pics and the tune. it swings in a different way from ellington's , but it swings. like life: "give that rhythm everything you've got", and you've got the meaning of it all. thanks for the great moments.
@1920sfan1
"This Thing Do Mean A Lot"... this an outstanding version!
@tango3721
Hello Grzegorz - this tune is super fab, fab, fab - swing. This arrangement is perfect for listening - but even better for dancing. Next to Tango - Swing is my big forte! I am just quoting some good dancers! Have a great day!
@kafenwar
Arthur Sharawsky on clarinet, better known as Artie Shaw.
@240252
@slpuca Thank you Sam! It's great to gave friends like you. Send my love to Lorelle and my warmest hug to all Three of you!!
@dick12235
Thanks: Brain needed this treat again .