Origins: Ain't Misbehavin' (Fats Waller)

Subject: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my love for yo
From: Jeep man
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 12:20 PM

This is another of the old Ragtime songs of the 20's and 30's. I would love to have words and chords for banjos, or guitar.

I would like to have any of the old ragtim, flapper,etc. music. Jim

Subject: Lyr Add: AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (Fats Waller)^^
From: Amos
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 12:26 PM

AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (I'M SAVIN' MY LOVE FOR YOU)
From "Connie's Hot Chocolates"
Words by Andy Razaf, music by Thomas "Fats" Waller and Harry Brooks, ©1929.
As sung by Fats Waller.

No one to talk with.
All by myself.
No one to walk with,
But I'm happy on the shelf.
Ain't misbehavin',
Savin' my love for you, for you, for you, for you.

I know for certain
The one I love.
I'm through with flirtin'.
It's you that I'm thinkin' of.
Ain't misbehavin'.
Savin' my love for you.

Like Jack Horner
In the corner,
Don't go nowhere.
What do I care?
Your kisses
Are worth waiting for,
Believe me.

I don't stay out late;
No place to go.
I'm home about eight,
Just me and my radio.
Ain't misbehavin',
Savin' all my love for you.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (Fats Waller)
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 01:23 PM

Well .... its far... far.... far.... from "Ragtime" but it is from the 20/30's

Ain't Misbehavin'

Word by Andy Razal, Music by Thomas Waller and Harry Brroks

Copyright 1929 by Mills Music, Inc

As Performed by Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong

Key of F, 2/4 time, slow

( "." =1/8th rest)

F . No one to F#dim7 talk with
Gm7 . all by my G#dim7 self
F/A . no one to A7#5 walk with but
Bb6 I'm happy Eb0 on the shelf
F6 . Ain't misbe D7 havin
Gm7 I'm savin C9 my love for
A7 you. D7 G7 C7

F. I know for F#dim7 certain
Gm7 the one I G#dim7 love
F/A . I'm thru with A7#5 flirtin It's
Bb6 Just you I'm Eb9 thinkin' of
F6 . Ain't Misbe D7 havin
Gm7 . I'm savin C9 my love for
F you Bb F E7b9 A7

Dm . . Like Jack Horner
Bb7D . . In the corner
G7D . . don't go nowhere
D7 . . what do I care
G6 . . Your kisses
Dm7 are worth
G9 waitin
A7#9 for
D7be G7 lieve C7 me

F . I don't stay F#dim7 out late
Gm7 . don't care to G#dim7 go
F6 I'm home a A7#5 bout eight just
Bb6 me and my Eb9 radio
F/A . Ain't misbe D7 havin
Gm7 . I'm savin C9 my love for
Bb9 you. F6/9

Great example of chord progressions and "sliding"

Thanks for asking for it... had forgotten its such a fine number.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 04:01 PM

Jeep man ~ If you would like to hear Louie Armstrong doing this number ~ go to:

http://www.redhotjazz.com/lao.html

A great song indeed.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 05:43 PM

Nice chords, Gargoyle, only thing, the chord at "Your Kisses" should be C6, instead of G6--

Original published key seems to have been Eb, though F is a good key for horn players--time signature is 4/4, though, not 2/4, and I would be very suprised indeed if Waller/Razaf thought of it as anything other than a rag, since even Irving Berlin and George Gershwin considered themselves to be ragtime composers--

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 08:25 PM

Tried it both ways.... suppose its a matter of taste.....

like the choice between apple-cider-vinegar or Chardonnay in your saute'd cooking.

I'll stick with the D-G-D-G-D-G-D.... notice how the tone is slowly working it self a half tone lower in each progression....with some wonderful nuances of flavor to the changed rhythem.

You keep cookin' with Vinegar.... I'll stick by the classic slow slide of Chardonnay.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 08:31 PM

I am a little lost Mr. Ted, but you are more so...

Listen to the emphasis of the beat.... It sure ain't 4/4....that rolling accent (yes, the missed first half gives it a syncopated beat but it is far, from rag)....the rhythem is unmistakable 2/4.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 27 Feb 00 - 11:21 PM

So....because you believe Mr. Berlin considered himself "syncopated" that makes his "Always" a rollicking rag???

Your silly sylogistic reasoning is suspicious

One of the two of us is not on the same carrage.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:14 AM

I've got sheet music from about five different sources, all of which are 4/4--all but one are in Eb, the other being from the Broadway Show, and is in C--

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:24 AM

We deffinately are not on the same carrage.

Go up to that GREAT link that Captain Bob provided. Listen and count.
Feel the accented one two, one two.....

If it were 4/4 it would be one two three four.

Its a good example because the bass is very strong

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 03:15 AM

For some different lyrics and chords (simpler progression) try Mr. Banjo's Site - Ain't Misbehavin'

Or, for eight different recordings of it, try his real audio collection.

http://www.bright.net/~mrbanjo/

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 03:19 AM

Now....Some of those versions are deffinately 4/4....Al Hirt's is a good example....to compare the kindly Capt. Bob's.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 10:20 AM

Sorry Gargoyle, I listened to the Louis Armstrong version, and his version is definitely 4/4--the banjo is playing the 4, and the "boom" is on 1 and 3--

Polka music is 2/4, accent on the second beat--

My old guitar teacher, among his many virtues, is also a great tenor banjoist, and, more than 20 years ago, we used to play this very song, as well as many others, in little clubs, dives, and such in the Bay Area--As I pointed out, I still have the play books, and, whether it was just the two of us, or we had keyboards, horns, et al, it was always 4/4--

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:24 AM

Well, Mr. Ted....I ran this past several friends today and tonight...

Thier comment, we are both right....in our own respective ways....

Would you settle for "Cut-Time"???

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:37 AM

Gargoyle ~ That real audio web site is great. I just finished going through each rendition of Ain't Missbehavin. Fun playing along but quite a workout. The keys most used were Eb, Db, Bb and E.

Back in the late 40's and early 50's a band I was playing played it in Eb. These days I play it solo mainly for my own enjoyment and play it in the key of C as its a bit easier on the old fingers.

I enjoy playing rags, however these days a lot of people consider anything written during the 20's or 30's as being ragtime.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 01:23 AM

Whatever works for you is fine---if we ever happen to play it together, the 2 and the 4 fit over one another nicely--so all that is left is to pick a key--

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:29 PM

Oooop! That Db should have been Ab.

I know, the key doesn't make a lot of difference, it's usually more up to the singer. There is literally no one in my neck of the woods that plays this kind of music so I just go with whatever feels comfortable. At least in my case,since I don't sing all that well, so I play the melody line along with the cords. It helps to cover up the vocal inadequacies.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 01:52 PM

Capt'n Bob,

One of the disadvantages of internet communication is that people with similar musical tastes can talk, but we can't play together or for each other--I would love to hear your chords and melody version of this--and I am very curious about what other songs you like to play--

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 08:02 PM

M. Ted ~ Actually I sort of grew up listining to this type of music. Here is a sampling of some of the old tunes I play: Walbash Blues, Entertainer, Bye Bye Blues, Memphis Blues, St. James Infirmery, Always, Smile, Sweet Georga Brown, Sentimental Journey, St. Louie Blues, Ain't She Sweet, etc., etc. (someday I should work on a list as I tend to forget what songs I know).

The fellows that I'm currently playing with play mostly, folk style, Irish, Songs of the Sea, 60's style folk (Kingston Trio ~ etc.).

I could put a couple of songs on tape using the cord melody method and mail them to you ~ My e-mail is:

[e-mail]

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 09:59 PM

No doubt, Capt. Bob, and Mr. Ted....

Our Roots Are The SAME

I like the list.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 10:10 PM

Seems like a lot of the 20's and 30' songs are in Eb, which is OK with banjos, guitars and Violinists, but not fiddlers.........we haven't found a capo that works yet. Please move it to D, G,C or A for fiddlers. Three flats is a real work out for our fourth finger, and we tend to forget the flats........

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Missbehavin, saving my
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 02:53 PM

Gargoyle, not only are our roots the same, so are the dominant 7ths--How about Whispering, Button Up Your Overcoat, Honeysuckle Rose, It Had to Be You, There's a Small Hotel, Rocking Chair--Capt'n Bob, I will e-mail you soon!!

Subject: Lyr Add: AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (Razaf, Waller, Brooks)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Aug 04 - 01:09 AM

I don't think the verses have been posted here before.

Can't remember where I originally got this, but there are several copies on the Internet. Click here for instance. There is also a midi file on that page.
The sheet music can be seen at Temple University.

AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (I'M SAVIN' MY LOVE FOR YOU).
Words, Andy Razaf. Music, Thomas ["Fats"] Waller and Harry Brooks. 1929.
From the show "Connie's Hot Chocolates," staged by Leonard Harper.

BOY: Tho' it's a fickle age,
With flirting all the rage,
Here is one bird with self-control,
Happy inside my cage.
I know who I love best.
Thumbs down for all the rest.
My love was given, heart and soul,
So it can stand the test.

CHORUS: No one to talk with, all by myself.
No one to walk with, but I'm happy on the shelf.
Ain't misbehavin'. I'm savin' my love for you.
I know for certain the one I love.
I'm thru with flirtin'. It's just you I'm thinkin' of.
Ain't misbehavin'. I'm savin' my love for you.
Like Jack Horner in the corner,
Don't go nowhere. What do I care?
Your kisses are worth waitin' for, believe me.
I don't stay out late. Don't care to go.
I'm home about eight, just me and my radio.
Ain't misbehavin'. I'm savin' my love for you.

GIRL: Your type of man is rare.
I know you really care.
That's why my conscience never sleeps
When you're away somewhere.
Sure was a lucky day
When fate sent you my way
And made you mine alone for keeps.
Ditto to all you say. CHORUS.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Misbehavin'
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 08:00 AM

There seems to be a blurring of which genre this song belongs to.

Someone above says its not ragtime, so what is it. blues, jazz ??

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Misbehavin'
From: Mark Ross
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 10:15 AM

Fats Waller was a legendary stride piano player. Stride was the next step after ragtime in the evolution of jazz piano. Listen to his recording of this. And there is great footage of him doing the tune in the film STORMY WEATHER with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Lena Horne.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Misbehavin'
From: Mark Ross
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 10:17 AM

And here it is on YouTube


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Misbehavin'
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 10:19 AM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TzynQ8LPyAM

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Misbehavin'
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 05:41 AM

Mark,

Thanks for the style definition.

Think we x posted on the Utube link - great minds........!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stride_piano

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Misbehavin'
From: Dave Illingworth
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 12:30 PM

Our band DPN+1 do it in C, which fits the voice and the rest of the group (I will give chords, if anyone wants - but easy to transpose).

I've always looked upon it as a "pop song" (and a very good one), and why not. It depends how you interpret it. Most people prefer the jazz/swing approach - Fats and Billie were famous for making decent jazz out of pop songs.
The version that didn't work was the version recorded by one Tommy Bruce, that was a UK hit in late fifties. A good pop song murdered....
(The chords sequence sort of fits "Making Whooppee" too, which is useful if you get a request for the latter.)

PS Why did Fats never record "Black & Blue" - or maybe he did ?

Subject: Chord Req: Guitar chords for Aint Misbehavin
From: Green Man
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 05:38 AM

Greetings,

I am looking for guitar chord symbols and words for Aint Misbehavin.

Any help would be very cool. ;-)

GM

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Guitar chords for Aint Misbehavin
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 05:53 AM

Have a look at this thread: Lyr/Chords Req: Ain't Misbehavin'.

For an alternative set have a look at Ain't Misbehavin' - The Guitar Guy's site (his site's always worth a look, though I don't always agree with his choice of chords).

Mick

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Guitar chords for Aint Misbehavin
From: Green Man
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 11:27 AM

Thanks Mick, good sites. Now I just need to grow those extra fingers.