Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”
Inspiration Behind It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing:
Duke Ellington composed It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing in 1931 when Swing music was the dominant sound. This song was written by Bubber Miley where words were selected to encourage listeners to get on the dance floor. While the overall lyrics are repetitive, the essence of jazz combined with rhythmic propulsion still keep It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing in the rotation of songs on classical radio stations. During a reboot of this song on the Ed Sullivan Show, Ella Fitzgerald joined Duke Ellington to bring It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing back to life in 1965.
Biblical Application:
Praise the Lord.[a] Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. 2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King.3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp, Psalm 149:1-3.
Exegesis of It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing:
What good is melody, what good is music
If it ain’t possessin’ something sweet?
Nah, it ain’t the melody and it ain’t the music
There’s something else that makes this tune complete
This is the original lyrics when Duke teamed up with Louis Armstrong. From Duke’s perspective of music, its goal is to elicit a response from listeners to dance. Perhaps Duke is referring to the emotion, jazz and soul put into a song by musicians which makes one song stand out from another.
Yes, it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing
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 everything you got
This song was designed to make listeners swing, dancing to the beat and melody. When rhythm is fueled by passion, It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing comes alive.
Yes, it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing
It don’t mean a thing, don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing
I said, it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing
Nah, it makes no difference if it’s sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you got
Don’t mean a thing, boy, if it ain’t that a swing
Artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington were not only entertainers but they wanted their audiences to have fun while dancing the night away.
Final Thoughts:
It’s important not to glance over different eras of music. I grew up in an age where punk rock was king, until the next style took center stage. As artists continue to express their feelings through songs, swing music is still worth pursuing in ballroom dancing classes offered throughout the country. This concludes a month dedicated to famous female bands and women in music.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 