The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If You Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Sunday, September 28, 2025, is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If You Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If You Ain’t Got That Swing)” was written by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills in 1931. This song was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song in 1932 with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If You Ain’t Got That Swing)” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, which was released 26 years ago on September 28, 1999. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement. The recording features Clayton Cameron on drums and Gray Sargent on guitar.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

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

We’re happy to feature the first recording of today’s song by Ivie Anderson and Duke Ellington.

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Friday, March 7, 2025, 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 credited to Irving Mills. It was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title, and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals, and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written, and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the band. The extended drum solo is by Clayton Cameron.

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

Here’s the original recording of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” with Ivie Anderson singing with Ellington’s band.

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Song of the Day: She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, is “She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good).”

About This Song

“She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” (originally titled ‘I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)’)was written by Duke Ellington and Paul Francis Webster in 1941. It was written for Ivie Anderson to sing in a revue called Jump For Joy. Anderson also recorded the song in 1941 with Johnny Hodges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement, which features Wynton Marsalis on trumpet and Al Grey on trombone.

“She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Ivie Anderson 1941 recording with Johnny Hodges:

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Sunday, May 19, 2024, is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in 1931, with lyrics by Irving Mills. It was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in May 1999 for his centennial tribute to Duke Ellington: Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, featuring a very fine arrangement by Ralph Burns.

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

Here’s the original recording with Ivie Anderson:

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Friday, March 1, 2024, 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 by Irving Mills. It was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing)” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek, featuring an arrangement by Marion Evans. It features Joe Lovano on tenor sax and George Rabbi on trumpet.

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

Cheek To Cheek won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Here’s the fantastic 1931 Ellington recording of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing)” with Ivie Anderson on vocals.