The Seattle band Floating Bridge released the song "Don't Mean a Thing" in 1969. I loved it back then, when I was 15 years old. After almost 50 years it stands up quite well to my mind, bouncing along at a jaunty beat with an eclectic blend of twangy guitars, plaintive country-tinged vocals and an old-time wah wah guitar solo.
Then there are the lyrics. Ah, those lyrics. Back in 1969, I assumed they told the tale of a guy who was feeling frustrated with a certain girl. After all, this is rock and roll, so love and heartbreak are usually a safe bet. But listening now with my well-seasoned ears, I'm not quite sure what the lyrics are about.
Then there are the lyrics. Ah, those lyrics. Back in 1969, I assumed they told the tale of a guy who was feeling frustrated with a certain girl. After all, this is rock and roll, so love and heartbreak are usually a safe bet. But listening now with my well-seasoned ears, I'm not quite sure what the lyrics are about.
Click image to listen
In an attempt to unravel this mystery, I've gone so far as to transcribe the lyrics. Words which are unclear are in parentheses below.
When you talked you didn’t make sense to me
You know I liked the way I thought you’d
be
The tinted glass means nothing to me
And it don’t mean a thing to me
It don’t mean a thing to me
Looking back into the picture frame
I saw no point in your [unclear]
Your [unclear] remains the same
And it don’t mean a thing to me
It don’t mean a thing to me
Looking for you [unclear]
You know what appearances mean to me
You ain’t what I thought you’d be
And it don’t mean a thing to me
It don’t mean a thing to me
I especially like the progression of the phrases "I liked the way I though you'd be... you ain't what I thought you'd be...it don't mean a thing to me." There's parallel structure here. It's not what you'd expect on a 45 rpm single. But this was 1969. Envelopes were being pushed. Barriers were being broken, genres thrust aside, eardrums (including mine) permanently damaged. If you have anything to add to my understanding of the lyrics, feel free to post a comment below.
- Originally issued in 45 rpm format, this song was also a bonus track on a reissue of the band's only album, and was included in several compilation albums, including Nuggets 8 - The Northwest and Son of Gutbucket.
- Band biography on Allmusic Guide.