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

Words & Music:

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington and Irving Mills (1932)

 

This arrangement is courtesy of Jumbo Jim's terrific website.

 

Em           D        C           C7   B7

What good is melody, what good is mu - sic,

Em           D         C           C7   B7

If it ain't possessin' something sweet?

Em           D       C            C7   B7

It ain't the melody, it ain't the mu - sic --

        Em                   D        C        C7   B7

There's something else that makes the tune complete.

 

   Em            B+          Em7            Em6

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

A7               D7               G6               C7  B7

Doo-wat doo-wat, doo-wat doo-wat, doo-wat doo-wat.

   Em            B+            Em7          Em6

It don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing --

A7               D7               G6

Doo-wat doo-wat, doo-wat doo-wat, doo-wat doo-wat, doo-wat doo-wat.

 

Dm7          G7                Cmaj7/6           Cmaj7

It makes no diff'rence if that rhythm's sweet or hot,

Em7            A7     D7             C7   B7

Just give that rhythm ev'rything you got.

 

   Em            B+   Cdim   Em7   Cdim      Em6

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

A7               D7               G6               Gdim

Doo-wat doo-wat, doo-wat doo-wat, doo-wat doo-wat, doo-wat doo-wat,

A7               Cdim                  G6

Doo-wat doo-wat, doo-wat doo-wat, doo-waaaa.

 





Back to the Songbook Index.

This page's content is copyrighted ©1977-2008 by Kristin C. Hall. Please drop me a line (via "dink (at) media (dot) mit (dot) edu") if you wish to use it or link to it or correct it! Please send comments, suggestions, fixes and general mischievious mayhem to the web diva via the above email address. (sorry, spambots have forced me to remove my automatic mail link.) Many thanks...and enjoy!

Note to lawyers and any other litigious-minded folk:
I am not trying to screw anyone out of royalties, etc. I have posted these only as a helpful resources for teachers, camp counselors and people who like to "sing along with Mitch", if you will. If you do not want your work posted to these pages, please just email me (via "dink (at) media (dot) mit (dot) edu") and I shall remove it.