Show Synopsis:
Vy disguises herself as a man in 1940s Harlem so that she will be taken seriously as a songwriter by Duke Ellington, a band leader. Duke asks "Vy-man" to present a song to his ex-girlfriend Lady Liv so that she will fall in love with Duke again, but she ends up falling in love with Vy-man instead. Meanwhile, many performers at the Cotton Club convince their manager Rev to learn to scat to earn Liv's heart. Eventually, the comedy of errors resolves itself.
Character:
Jester, Miss Mary, and Sweets, employees at the Cotton Club who want to loosen up their boss Rev; Rev, the uptight manager of the Cotton Club who wants to impress Lady Liv.
Song Context:
Jester, Miss Mary, and Sweets sing this song to teach Rev how to scat so that he can impress Lady Liv and loosen up a bit.
Fun Facts:
1) The plot of this musical was loosely based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and the title is taken from the opening line: "If music be the food love, play on."
2) This song was also included in a Broadway dance revue of Duke Ellington's songs called Swing! that ran from 1999 to 2001.
3) Mercedes Ellington, who choreographed this production on Broadway, was Duke Ellington's granddaughter.
"It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing.
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've got.
Oh, it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
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.
Oh, it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot.
Just give that rhythm everything you've got.
Don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing
Don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing.
Makes no difference if it's sweet or hot.
Just give that rhythm everything you've got
Don't mean a thing, all you got to do is swing.
It don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing.
It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot.
Give that rhythm everything you've got.
Oh, it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
Don't mean a thing."