Tain't What You Do

Great Vocalists, Ella Fitzgerald & Her Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald

About Tain't What You Do

'Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It) is a song written by jazz musicians Melvin "Sy" Oliver and James "Trummy" Young. It was first recorded in 1939 by Jimmie Lunceford, Harry James, and Ella Fitzgerald, and again the same year by Nat Gonella and His Georgians. The "shim sham" is often danced to the Lunceford recording of this song.


Year:
2006
55 
#1

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When I was a kid about half past three
My ma said, "Daughter, come here to me"
Says, "Things may come and things may go
But this is one thing you ought to know"

Oh, 'tain't what you do; it's the way that you do it
'Tain't what you do; it's the way that you do it
'Tain't what you do; it's the way that you do it
That's what gets results

'Tain't what you do; it's the time that you do it
'Tain't what you do; it's the time that you do it
'Tain't what you do; it's the time that you do it
That's what gets results

You can try hard, don't mean a thing
Take it easy, breezy, then your jive will swing

Oh, it 'tain't what you do; it's the place that you do it
'Tain't what you do; it's the time that you do it
'Tain't what you do; it's the way that you do it
That's what gets results

You've learned your A B C's
You've learned your D F G's
But this is something you don't learn in school

So get your hep boots on
And then you'll carry on
But remember if you try too hard
It don't mean a thing, take it easy

'Tain't what bring do; it's the way that you bring it
'Tain't what swing do; it's the way that you swing it
'Tain't what sing do; it's the way that you sing it
That's what gets results

That's what gets results, rebop

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Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella", was an American jazz and song vocalist. With a vocal range spanning three octaves (D♭3 to D♭6), she was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. more »

11 fans

Written by: Sy Oliver, James Young

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Tain't What You Do" by Ella Fitzgerald falls under the Swing Jazz genre, part of the broader Jazz category.
Songwriters
The song was written by famous jazz musician Sy Oliver and James "Trummy" Young.
Original Release Date
"Tain't What You Do" was first released in 1939.
Famous Collaboration
The song additionally stands out because it was a collaboration between Ella Fitzgerald and another Jazz great, Chick Webb.
Chart Performance
Despite being released in the pre-Billboard era, it was a popular hit during its time and would have been considered a chart-topper had official rankings existed back then.
Famous Influence
The tune of "Tain't What You Do" influenced many later rhythms and blues songs.
Subsequent Covers
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including notable names such as Jimmie Lunceford, Bill Haley, Nat King Cole, and Jamie Cullum.
Legacy
It's associated with the Lindy Hop, a popular dance style from the swing dance era, and it's often played at swing dance events.
Album Release
The song is included in Ella Fitzgerald's album "Swingsation: Ella Fitzgerald With Chick Webb", released in 1998.
Song's Message
The song's lyrics are about how "it ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it", promoting the idea that style and approach matter more than the task itself.

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    "Tain't What You Do Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/20947972/Ella+Fitzgerald/Tain%27t+What+You+Do>.

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