Composer

:

Duke Ellington

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Popular

Average_duration

:

3:24

"It Don't Mean a Thing" is a jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington in 1931. The song was premiered by Ellington's orchestra at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City. The song became an instant hit and has since become one of the most famous jazz standards of all time. The song is characterized by its catchy melody, swinging rhythm, and memorable lyrics. The lyrics, written by Irving Mills, describe the importance of swing music and how it can lift one's spirits and make them forget their troubles. The song's title is a play on words, as the phrase "it don't mean a thing" is often used to dismiss something as unimportant, but in the context of the song, it means the opposite - that swing music is essential to one's happiness. "It Don't Mean a Thing" is composed in a 32-bar AABA form, with each section consisting of eight bars. The melody is based on a simple, bluesy riff that is repeated throughout the song. The song features a call-and-response structure, with the horns and the rhythm section trading phrases back and forth. The song also features a scat singing solo by Ellington's longtime collaborator, Ivie Anderson. The song's success helped to establish Ellington as one of the most important figures in jazz music. It also helped to popularize swing music, which would become the dominant style of jazz in the 1930s and 1940s. The song has been covered by countless artists over the years, including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra. In conclusion, "It Don't Mean a Thing" is a classic jazz standard that has stood the test of time. Its catchy melody, swinging rhythm, and memorable lyrics have made it a favorite of jazz fans for nearly a century. Its importance in the history of jazz cannot be overstated, as it helped to popularize swing music and establish Duke Ellington as one of the most important figures in the genre.

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