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It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

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Scat, Swing, and a Song with Staying Power

Irving Mills explained to the world, in 1931, that It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got that Swing, and the world listened. Duke Ellington kicked off the Swing Era with the song in the thirties and big bands all around the country picked up this fun little number and started swinging their own versions. The instrumental and scat vocal solos meant that no two performances were alike, even from the same performer.

Over the ensuing three quarters of a century, It Don't Mean a Thing has been performed and recorded by hundreds of artists and became a standard in any jazz or swing repertoire. People of every generation since Duke Ellington's first, 1932 recording recognize the phrase and the music. With the resurgence of swing and big band in the 1990s, the song saw a strong revival. This lens will celebrate the many versions of the song, with videos and places to sample and buy dozens of them. If I've missed one that you love, please let me know!

My Favorite Version

It's Don't Mean a Thing if Ella Doesn't Swing

While you can find literally hundreds of recordings of It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got that Swing) out there, Ella Fitzgerald still holds the first place in my heart. The Queen of Scat lends her amazing voice and really launches this swing standard into the stratosphere.
It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

Amazon Price: (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

In this version, from the fabulous concerts on the Cote d'Azur, Ella and Duke Ellington both show off their vocal skills, swinging and scatting and generally tearing up the stage. You have to buy the whole album to get the song, but if you love this one you'll adore the rest of the record, too.

The Lyrics for It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got that Swing)

Deceptively Short, So Imagine the Horns and the Scat

Louis Armstrong

It's no wonder that It Don't Mean a Thing stands as a favorite for jazz bands and a capella groups as well as swing dance enthusiasts. Its high energy and flexible framework mean that almost any sized group can perform it well, even without lyrics at all. When the words are there, they run as follows:

What good is melody?
What good is music?
If it ain't possessin' something sweet
It ain't the melody, it ain't the music

There's something else that makes the tune complete
It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
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
Everything you've got
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

Music Videos for It Don't Mean a Thing (If You Ain't Got that Swing)

The Swing Standard From the Forties into the 2000s

Don't miss the clip from the Broadway musical Sophisticated Ladies, with Phyllis Hyman giving a virtuoso performance at blistering speed (with tap dancing), Ella Fitzgerald's off-the-cuff scat chat, and Dizzy Gillespie absolutely wailing with Stan Getz. Of course, you'll also find The Puppini Sisters and their updated, old-fashioned version. The sound quality on the Real Group a capella version isn't great but this was the only music video I could find of their great cover.
Duke Ellington - It don't mean a thing (1943)
by bretodeau | video info

7,876 ratings | 2,377,583 views
curated content from YouTube

Try Twenty Full Versions of This Standard

It Don't Mean a Thing if You Don't Have a Listen!

I've got everyone from Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie to Brian Setzer and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on this list, with Eva Cassidy and the Puppini Sisters in between. You can try It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got that Swing) from across the past half-century. The play list module here no longer works but you can hear all twenty full versions at Grooveshark. Don't miss the Thelonius Monk take on this great swing standard.

Whose Version Is Your Favorite

Are You a Duke Purist or a Puppini Fan?

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A Very Modern Take on the Song

Gabin Remixes It Don't Mean a Thing

By taking only the title line and combining a strong beat with some jazzy music, Gabin has recreated It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got that Swing) into Doo Uap Doo Uap.
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Sample More Versions of It Don't Mean a Thing

Because These Folks Definitely Have that Swing

I couldn't find video clips for all of these, but I didn't want you to miss out on folks like Thelonious Monk, Lester Young, Nina Simone, and Louis Armstrong swingin' It Don't Mean a Thing. You can sample and purchase the DRM3-free songs through the box right here.

At least, you could if the silly thing were working correctly. If there's no box with album covers in it, or if you just want to listen to a dozen full versions, try the post from The Not-Pop Jukebox, instead.

Do You Love to Swing?

Tell me about your favorite Big Band memories.

I started listening to Big Band and swing hits from the 40s when I was fifteen - the huge horn section and the fabulous energy of the music really grabbed me and it hasn't let go since. Tell me about your favorite swing song or the time It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got that Swing) played a role in your life. If I've completely overlooked your favorite version of the swing standard, drop me a note and let me know.

  • dead_sheep Nov 13, 2011 @ 11:36 pm | delete
    I've always loved swing, whether it's an old classic or a remake. It's pretty much the only music that makes me dance whether I want to or not! :)
  • RocketSteel Nov 11, 2011 @ 10:27 am | delete
    I've loved swing and jazz since I was a music major, over 20 years ago. I had hoped that theere would be a revival when Cherry Popping Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy had a couple of hits, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.
  • WriterJanis Nov 9, 2011 @ 1:41 am | delete
    This is a great Big Band Song.
  • fugeecat Oct 11, 2011 @ 9:18 pm | delete
    my parents enjoyed swing so i grew up hearing the music and i love the music.
  • paulbarton Oct 3, 2011 @ 7:03 am | delete
    I love swing as a genre and the video of Duke Ellington - It don't mean a thing (1943) is a dream
  • Kris10P Jul 25, 2011 @ 2:11 pm | delete
    I like the older swing bands, but I love the newer ones like the Cherry Poppin Daddys and Phat Cat Swinger.
  • avgsuperheroine May 26, 2011 @ 8:47 pm | delete
    I loved your lens, I started listening to swing back when swing kids came out, I love it.
  • Ruthi Feb 15, 2011 @ 2:29 pm | delete
    No doubt about it -- you've got that Swing! Linked to your lens from my newly published Lyrical Impressions lens.
  • Cumberland Feb 10, 2011 @ 6:27 pm | delete
    Found your lens sort of by accident. I had forgotten this tune. Thanks for reminding me.
  • sfurrow4 Dec 24, 2010 @ 7:58 am | delete
    This music always makes me want to get up and dance. Thanks for the lens.
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