Bennett began singing at an early age. He fought in the final stages of World War II as a U.S. Army infantryman in the European Theater. Afterward, he developed his singing technique, signed with Columbia Records and had his first number-one popular song with "Because of You" in 1951. Several tracks such as "Rags to Riches" followed in early 1953. He then refined his approach to encompass jazz singing. He reached an artistic peak in the late 1950s with albums such as The Beat of My Heart and Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. In 1962, Bennett recorded his signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". His career and personal life experienced an extended downturn during the height of the rock music era. Bennett staged a comeback in the late 1980s and 1990s, putting out gold record albums again and expanding his reach to the MTV generation while keeping his musical style intact.
Bennett continued to create popular and critically praised work into the 21st century. He attracted acclaim for his collaborations with Lady Gaga, which began with the album Cheek to Cheek (2014); the two performers toured together to promote the album throughout 2014 and 2015. With the release of the duo's second album, Love for Sale (2021), Bennett broke the individual record for the longest span of top-10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart for any living artist; his first top-10 record was I Left My Heart in San Francisco in 1962. Bennett also broke the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to release an album of new material, at the age of 95 years and 60 days.
Bennett has amassed numerous accolades throughout his career, including 19 Grammy Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He was named an NEA Jazz Master and a Kennedy Center Honoree. Bennett has sold over 50 million records worldwide.
In February 2021, it was revealed that Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. Due to the slow progression of his illness, he continued to record, tour, and perform until his retirement from concert performances in August 2021 due to physical challenges.
Bennett died in New York City on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the age of 96. His death was announced by his publicist.
It Don't Mean a Thing
Tony Bennett 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
No, 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 it's hot
Give it all that rhythm that 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
(Tony) Got that
It makes no diff'rence
If it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything that you got
No, 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
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah da
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
"It Don't Mean A Thing" by Tony Bennett is a classic jazz song that emphasizes the importance of swing in music. The lyrics tell us that no matter how sweet or hot the music is, it won't mean anything if it doesn't have that lively and infectious quality of swing. The chorus of "doo wah, doo wah" adds to the playful tone of the song and emphasizes the rhythm and upbeat nature of the music. The main message of the song is that swing, which is the rhythmic pulse of the music that makes you want to dance and move, is what really matters.
The song is a celebration of the jazz genre and its unique style, which has influenced countless musicians and continues to be popular today. The lyrics also highlight the importance of musicality and how it is more important than any specific genre or style. Bennett's soulful, smooth voice gives the song a laid-back quality that is perfect for a jazz tune.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean a thing
Nothing is of value
If it ain't got that swing
Unless it has swing or rhythm
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Vocalization that conveys the importance of having rhythm
No, it don't mean a thing
Emphasizing that nothing has value
All you got to do is sing
All it takes is singing with rhythm
Makes no diff'rence
It doesn't matter
If it's sweet or it's hot
Regardless of the style of music
Give it all that rhythm that you got
Put all your energy in rhythm
Oh, it don't mean a thing
Continuing the emphasis that nothing is of value
Got that
Tony confirms that he has that swing or rhythm
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Reiterating the importance of rhythm
Just give that rhythm everything that you got
Put all your effort into rhythm
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah
Repeating the vocalization emphasis on rhythm
Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah da
Closing lyrics that emphasize the importance of rhythm in music
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JazzSoulMetal
Clayton for the win!
@steveb6441
that's some of the best drumming I've ever seen!!
@melodybencosme4733
You got that right! Happy end of the school year! ❤
@dukeoftrumpet
RIP Tony
@edenilsondepaulaamaral4547
Talent surrounded by talents!
@samuelcharles7642
Rip Tony
@williamdunphy352
Clayton Cameron on drums.
@charlita25
My favorite 🤩 Jazz song ever 🎷🥁🎺🎷
@melodybencosme4733
It’s my song for my jazz solo! I compete with it and I’ve won title twice! I’m doing the recital though now soon and it’ll be the last time I preform the solo I’m sad:( it’s a fun dance!😢❤😊
@musicklvr8ify
Thank you and great drum solo there!