Tain't What You Do
Ella Fitzgerald
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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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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.
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SongwritersThe song was written by famous jazz musician Sy Oliver and James "Trummy" Young.
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Original Release Date"Tain't What You Do" was first released in 1939.
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Famous CollaborationThe song additionally stands out because it was a collaboration between Ella Fitzgerald and another Jazz great, Chick Webb.
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Chart PerformanceDespite 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.
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Famous InfluenceThe tune of "Tain't What You Do" influenced many later rhythms and blues songs.
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Subsequent CoversThe song has been covered by numerous artists, including notable names such as Jimmie Lunceford, Bill Haley, Nat King Cole, and Jamie Cullum.
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LegacyIt's associated with the Lindy Hop, a popular dance style from the swing dance era, and it's often played at swing dance events.
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Album ReleaseThe song is included in Ella Fitzgerald's album "Swingsation: Ella Fitzgerald With Chick Webb", released in 1998.
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Song's MessageThe 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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Citation
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"Tain't What You Do Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 10 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/9251188/Ella+Fitzgerald/Tain%27t+What+You+Do>.
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