Novel Soundtrack: Track 9

9) It Don’t Mean a Thing if You Ain’t Got That Swing by Duke Ellington

Event: The lyrics to this song don’t have much relation to the book. However, this is a song from the 1930’s, the era that the novel takes place in. In the novel, it states that while Janie and Tea Cake were on the muck, their shack was the center for entertainment and social activities. People would talk and sing and play games. This could have been a song that they sang. In essence, this song represents the fun times that Janie and Tea Cake had after they moved out to the Everglades.

Link to Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg/

Lyrics:

What good is melody?

What good is music?

If it ain't possessin' something sweet

It ain't the melody, it ain't the music

There's something else that makes the tune complete

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

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing