It Don't Mean a Thing
The Bobby Hackett Quartet 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) 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)
The lyrics to The Bobby Hackett Quartet's song "It Don't Mean a Thing" are a celebration of swing music and the importance of its rhythmic elements. The phrases "It don't mean a thing" and "All you got to do is sing" suggest that the content of the music is less important than how it is performed. The repetition of the phrase "If it ain't got that swing" reinforces the idea that swing is the most important aspect of the music.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
A thing has no value or significance
If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has a specific rhythmic quality
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
This rhythmic quality is represented by these sounds
It don't mean a thing
Once again, a thing has no value or significance
All you got to do is sing
Merely singing is enough to generate the rhythmic quality
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Once again, this rhythmic quality is represented by these sounds
It makes no diff'rence
There is no distinction or preference
If it's sweet or hot
Whether it is soft or intense
Just give that rhythm
Focus solely on the rhythmic quality
Ev'rything you got
Put all of your effort into it
Oh, it don't mean a thing
Once again, a thing has no value or significance
If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has that specific rhythmic quality
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
Once again, this rhythmic quality is represented by these sounds
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, IRVING MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind