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.

 




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