it don't mean a thing (if it ain't got that swing)

 

Sir Duke brought swing to the mainstream with this infectious jazz anthem. Duke Ellington wrote 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' with lyricist Irving MIlls in 1931 and first recorded it with his orchestra on February 2, 1932. The title has been attributed to trumpet player “Bubber” Miley and his replacement Cootie Williams, as well as Mills. While it might not be the first use of the term in a title, it certainly ushered in the age of swing, in the worlds of Ellington, "as the expression of a sentiment which prevailed among jazz musicians at the time."

Duke Ellington and His orchestra

Stephane Grappelly's Hot Four with Django Reinhardt

'Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook'

Thelonious Monk

What good is melody?

What good is music?

If it ain't possessing something sweet

It ain't the melody

It ain't the music

There's something else that makes this song complete

(Bo dolled dolled do da...)

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

(do Do a Do ap...

Well it don't mean a thing all you got to do is sing

It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot

Just give that rhythm ev-ry-thing you got YES

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

It don't mean a thing

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing boy

(Ba ba doo dah doo,)

I said it don't mean a thing and all you got to do is sing

(La la la,)

Now it makes no difference if it's sweet or hot

Just give that rhythm ev-ry-thing you got OHH

It don't mean a thing boy, if it ain't got-a-that-a-swinga

Doo Wap

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