The song of the day for Saturday, April 15, 2026, is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics inspired by Bubber Miley. Miley played trumpet for Ellington’s orchestra and “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got thing” was his credo. Miley was quite ill with tuberculosis and died the year that the song was released. Irving Mills is credited for the lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” for their 2014 album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” as well as  Cheek to Cheek , is available on Apple Music.

Duke Ellington, with Ivie Anderson on vocals, made the first recording of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” on February 2, 1932. This recording was inducted in 2008 to the Grammy Hall Of Fame.