The group was composed of Erik Darling and Bill Svanoe (vocals, guitar) with former jazz singer Lynne Taylor (vocals). Darling put the group together in 1962 specifically to record an updated and uptempo version of a 1920s Gus Cannon folk blues song, "Walk Right In". The trio recorded the song for Vanguard Records, with updated lyrics and an arrangement featuring paired 12-string acoustic guitars. The record became the most successful in Vanguard's history, reaching # 1 on the US pop charts in January 1963, and # 10 in the UK.
The group released several further singles including the minor hit "Tom Cat", played at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963, and released two albums, but their popularity was relatively short-lived and they split up in 1967.
It Don't Mean a Thing
The Rooftop Singers 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 lyrics to The Rooftop Singers' "It Don't Mean a Thing" are a playful and rhythmic tribute to the importance of swing in music. The song suggests that lyrics can be sweet or hot, but without the all-important swing, they won't have the same impact on the listener. The repeated phrase 'doo wah' adds to the rhythm of the song, and is a type of scatting, which involves the use of nonsensical syllables in music.
The overall message of the song is that it is the rhythm that counts, not the particular style of music or words. This can be seen in the lines "All you got to do is sing" and "Just give that rhythm everything you got", which suggest that as long as the swing is there, any kind of music will do. The upbeat tempo and playful lyrics of the song give it a lighthearted and carefree feel, which reinforces the idea that music should be enjoyable and fun.
Overall, "It Don't Mean a Thing" is a joyful and upbeat celebration of the importance of swing in music. Its catchy rhythm and playful lyrics make it a popular song to this day, and a testament to the enduring power of swing music.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
The importance or relevance of something is insignificant.
If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has a certain rhythm or beat, it lacks significance.
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
(Repetitive scatting sounds)
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
(Repetitive scatting sounds)
It don't mean a thing
The importance or relevance of something is insignificant.
All you got to do is sing
To rectify this insignificance, all you need to do is express it musically.
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
(Repetitive scatting sounds)
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
(Repetitive scatting sounds)
It makes no diff'rence
The specific qualities do not matter.
If it's sweet or hot
Regardless of whether it's soothing or lively.
Just give that rhythm
Manifest the specified rhythm.
Ev'rything you got
Exert all efforts.
Oh, it don't mean a thing
Again emphasizing that the lack of a particular rhythm renders the matter irrelevant.
If it ain't got that swing
Without the specific rhythm or beat, it has no worth.
(doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
(Repetitive scatting sounds)
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah)
(Repetitive scatting sounds)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind