The song of the day for Monday, September 28, 2026, is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About Today

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool is, in this writer’s opinion, one of Tony Bennett’s best albums. It was released 27 years ago today on September 28, 1999.

About This Song

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was written by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills.” The song got its title from Bubber Miley, who played trumpet for Ellington. Miley’s credo, which he said often was “it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.” It was one of the very first songs to use the word “swing” in the title. Jazz historian Gunther Schuller said the song as “legendary” and “prophetic piece and prophetic title.” In 2008. Ellington’s 1932 recording, with Ivie Anderson on vocals, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Other than Ellington’s 1932 recording of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” is the version that Ellington and Louis Armstrong recorded at The Great Summit, which featured Ellington and Louis Armstrong and His All-Stars. One reason I love this version is that the rarely-heard verse is sung.