Name: It Don't Mean a Thing
Duration: P00H04M53S
Description: "It Don't Mean a Thing" is a 1931 composition by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills. It was probably the first song to use the phrase "swing" in the title, it introduced the term into everyday language and presaged the swing era by three years. The Ellington band played the song continually over the years and recorded it numerous times, most often with trumpeter Ray Nance as vocalist.

It Don't Mean a Thing

from Rise Up and Shine by Savoy

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about

"It Don't Mean a Thing" is a 1931 composition by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills. It was probably the first song to use the phrase "swing" in the title, it introduced the term into everyday language and presaged the swing era by three years. The Ellington band played the song continually over the years and recorded it numerous times, most often with trumpeter Ray Nance as vocalist.

lyrics

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
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