It Don't Mean A Thing

Lyrics:

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

         It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) was written and originally performed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills. This song is mostly about fun. The main refrain (it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing), shows the fun-loving attitude of this song. He is calling others to let loose and enjoy life. If something isn't swinging and fun, he claims that it "[doesn't] mean a thing."

          The main theme shown in this song is one of determination to fight against oppression. Since the whole song is about fun, it shows how blacks at the time weren't letting themselves be depressed or down-trodden. Society had not accepted blacks as equals at this time, and instead of getting caught up in this and wallowing, this song celebrates the good in the situation. By simply having a good time, Ellington is fighting against the people keeping him down.

          I love this song. It's extremely catchy and I have fun listening to it, as the main message of the song encourages. I knew this song previous to this assignment but rediscovered it when looking through classic Harlem Renaissance songs. I find it quite good.