Tuesday, March 8, 2011

It don’t mean a thing analysis, by Duke Ellington


What good is melody?
What good is music?
If it ain't possessing something sweet
It ain't the melody
It ain't the music
There's something else that makes this song complete
(Bo dolled dolled do da...)
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing
(do Do a Do ap...
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 ev-ry-thing you got YES
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing
It don't mean a thing
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing boy
(Ba ba doo dah doo…)
I said it don't mean a thing and all you got to do is sing
(La la la…)
Now it makes no difference if it's sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm ev-ry-thing you got OHH
It don't mean a thing boy, if it ain't got-a-that-a-swinga
Doo Wap
Show me
It don’t mean a thing analysis
Duke Ellington and his orchestra transformed Western music with his take on jazz music.  Without jazz much of the popular music today wouldn’t exist.  The song, It don’t mean a thing, is a catchy tune that make people want to dance to the beat, have fun, and enjoy life.  Jazz music became very popular in the twenties and thirties.  Clubs in New York like the Cotton Club were very popular.  And there Duke Ellington and his orchestra would play often. Duke Ellington lived from 1899-1974; Ellington began playing music in Washington D.C. in 1917 professionally. This song is said to define the era of the Ellington orchestra which was a unique new tone for the jazz sound. Specifically, they changed the Hot jazz of the '20's to the swing of the '30s. 
This song starts off by asking questions. "What good is melody? What good is music?" The answers, "if it ain’t got something sweet." Ellington’s intention is to bring a happy feeling because music should make you feel good.
 Ellington also uses the idea of music’s outcomes on people not mattering--"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" He's saying it doesn’t matter what you look like or sound like just let it out and enjoy.
       The repetition of these words makes it easy to follow and allows yourself get lost in the beat. Therefore, you can just let go and enjoy yourself!

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