Brubeck's style ranged from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills. Much of his music employed unusual time signatures, a fact jokingly referred to by his greatest hits album 'Time Signatures: A Career Retrospective'. Upon his death, a number of commentators noted his crossover appeal to mainstream pop audiences, something putting him in the company of other jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong and Herbie Hancock among others.
Ain't Misbehavin'
Dave Brubeck Lyrics
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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
I'm through 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
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
The song Ain't Misbehavin' by the Dave Brubeck Quartet featuring Jimmy Rushing is a classic jazz tune with insightful and poetic lyrics that express the joys of being in love. The song describes the singer's contentment with being alone because they are saving their love for their significant other. The first verse sets up the theme of loneliness, with no one to talk or walk with. Despite being alone, the singer is happy on the shelf because they are saving their love for their partner. The chorus exclaims "ain't misbehavin'" which means that they are staying faithful, not flirting with anyone else, and that their love is reserved for their partner.
The second verse reinforces the singer's commitment to their partner. They have stopped flirting with other people because they know for certain who they love, and they are thinking only of their partner. The bridge expands on the metaphor of being alone, comparing the singer to Jack Horner in the corner, waiting for their partner to come back to them. The singer is content to wait because their partner's kisses are worth it.
The last verse concludes the song with a description of the singer's daily routine. They don't stay out late or go anywhere because they are happy at home with their radio. They are still not misbehaving and are saving their love for their partner.
Overall, the song is a celebration of love and faithfulness. The singer is proud to save their love for their partner, and they are content to wait for them to come back. The lyrics are simple, yet powerful, expressing a sentiment that is still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
No one to talk with
I have no one to have a conversation with
All by myself
I am alone without any company
No one to walk with
I have no one to take a walk with
But I'm happy on the shelf
Even though I am alone, I am content with where I am
Ain't misbehavin'
I am well-behaved and not causing trouble
I'm savin' my love for you
I am reserving all of my love for one special person
I know for certain
I am sure without doubt
The one I love
The person that I have deep feelings for
I'm through with flirtin'
I am done with playing around and flirting with others
It's just you I'm thinkin' of
All of my thoughts are centered around only you
Like Jack Horner
Similar to the storybook character Jack Horner
In the corner
Sitting alone in a quiet and unnoticeable spot
Don't go nowhere
I don't need to leave because I'm content where I am
What do I care?
I don't have any concern or worry
Your kisses are worth waitin' for
I am willing to wait for your loving and affectionate kisses
Believe me
Trust what I am saying
I don't stay out late
I don't remain outside for long periods of time
Don't care to go
I have no desire to leave my house
I'm home about eight
I usually return home around eight o'clock
Just me and my radio
I only have my radio for company when I'm at home
Ain't misbehavin'
I am still behaving properly and not causing any trouble
I'm savin' my love for you
I am reserving all of my love for one special person
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Razaf, Fats Waller, Harry Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind