(If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)

Ella Fitzgerald, Sy Oliver

About (If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)

"(If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" is a song written by Sam Coslow that is strongly associated with Ella Fitzgerald. It was first recorded by Fitzgerald on 29 October 1936 and became one of her signature songs. It was a firm fixture of her live performances, providing a springboard for her scat singing. On the 2007 tribute album We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song recorded to mark Fitzgerald's 90th birthday, it was performed by Chaka Kahn and Natalie Cole. Cole and Patti Austin performed the song at the tribute concert to Fitzgerald on June 6, 2007. 


Year:
2007
5:10
176 
#1

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Mister Paganini, please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it
And if you can't sing it, you simply have to
Swing it

I said swing it
Oh-oh-oh swing it
And don't ding it
Oh mister Paganini, we breathlessly await

Your masterful d?tente, go-o on and sling it
And if you can't sling it
You'll simply have to swing it
I said swing it

And scattywahwah
And wahdyscatla
We've heard your repertoire and
At the final bar

We've greeted you with wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation
Pat-scoodle-atty-doody yeah yeah yeah

Oh Mister Paganini, now don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve, go on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you'll simply have to
Swing it

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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: SAM COSLOW

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


5 facts about this song

Creation
"(If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" is a jazz song composed by Sam Coslow. It was first performed by Ella Fitzgerald in the 1936 film "Rhythm on the Range".
Ella Fitzgerald's Version
The song is widely associated with Ella Fitzgerald as she gave a memorable performance of it in her live album "Ella in Hollywood" recorded in 1961. - Fitzgerald's version is notable for its energetic scat improvisation, a vocal form that imitates the sounds and rhythms of instruments. - It became one of her signature songs and she sang it often in her live performances throughout her career.
Patti Austin's Version
Patti Austin is an American R&B and jazz singer. She also covered "(If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" in her 2002 album "For Ella". - Austin's version is a tribute to Fitzgerald, paying homage to her scat singing and bringing her own unique style to the song.
Trivia
The song's title and lyrics are a playful reference to violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini, implying that jazz musicians who can't "sing" (i.e., play) a composition will "swing" it instead. - The song showcases the flexibility and improvisational style common in jazz, demonstrating the genre's culture of interpretation and variation. - Despite its age and classic status, the song has been covered by many artists over the years, indicating its enduring popularity.
Impact
The "Mr. Paganini" part of the title has forever tied this song to the master violinist, linking the worlds of classical and jazz music. - Ella Fitzgerald's recording of the song remains one of the most popular jazz songs today, showcasing her unparalleled talent as a vocal improviser. - The song is often used as a benchmark by aspiring jazz singers to master the art of scat singing.

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