Bostic was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He turned professional at age 18 when he joined Terrence Holder's band. He made his first recording with Lionel Hampton in 1942 where he played along with Red Allen, J.C. Higginbotham, Sid Catlett, Teddy Wilson and Hampton. Before that he performed with Fate Marable on New Orleans riverboats. Bostic graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans. He worked with territory bands as well as Arnett Cobb, Hot Lips Page, Rex Stewart, Don Byas, Charlie Christian, Thelonious Monk and other jazz luminaries. He formed his own band in 1945, and turned to rhythm and blues in the late 1940s. His biggest hits were "Temptation," "Sleep," "Flamingo," "You Go to My Head" and "Cherokee." At various times his band included Jaki Byard, John Coltrane, Benny Golson, Blue Mitchell, Stanley Turrentine, Tommy Turrentine, Keter Betts, Sir Charles Thompson, Teddy Edwards, Tony Scott, Benny Carter and other musicians who rose to prominence in jazz. Bostic held his musicians to a high standard and demanded that they read music faultlessly. He was influenced by the great Sidney Bechet. John Coltrane in turn was influenced by Earl Bostic. James Moody said that Bostic was the chief influence on John Coltrane. Moody mentioned that "Bostic knew his instrument inside out, back to front and upside down."
His virtuosity is documented in records such as Up There In Orbit, Earl's Imagination, Apollo Theater Jump, All On, Artistry by Bostic, Telestar Drive, Liza, Lady Be Good and Tiger Rag. Bostic was a master of the blues and he used this skill in a variety of musical settings. Although Bostic recorded many commercial albums, some notable jazz based exceptions on the King label include Bostic Rocks Hits of the Swing Age, Jazz As I Feel It and A New Sound.
Bostic's King album titled Jazz As I Feel It featured Shelly Manne on drums, Joe Pass on guitar and Groove Holmes on organ. Bostic recorded the King Album "A New Sound" about one month later again, featuring Holmes and Pass. These recordings allowed Bostic to stretch out beyond the 3 minute limit imposed by the 45 RPM format. Bostic was pleased with the sessions which highlight his total mastery of the blues but they also foreshadowed musical advances that were later evident in the work of John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy.
He wrote arrangements for Paul Whiteman, Louis Prima, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Jack Teagarden and Alvino Rey.
Bostic's signature hit, "Flamingo" was recorded in 1951 and remains a favorite among followers of Carolina Beach Music in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Their style of Beach Music is heavily influenced by Rhythm-and-Blues music from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Bostic recorded for Cincinnati-based King Records, a small label that was well known for releasing "R and B" and Bluegrass records. In fact, the biggest star on the King label was "the Godfather of Soul", James Brown. Bostic was also popular among R&B and jazz followers in the United Kingdom, thanks to his records that were released on the Parlophone label.
Bostic died from a heart attack in Rochester, New York, while performing with his band in 1965. His widow, Hildegarde, was still living in San Francisco as of the mid-1990s.
Ain't Misbehavin
Earl Bostic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 lyrics of Earl Bostic's Ain't Misbehavin' depict a story of a person who is alone and content with their solitude. They state that they have no one to talk or walk with, but they are happy being by themselves and saving their love for someone special. The individual expresses their love for someone they know for sure is the one they want to be with and have committed to staying faithful to them. The person alludes to Jack Horner, the nursery rhyme character, who sits in the corner and eats his Christmas pie, indicating their own contentment with their situation. They claim that they would rather stay home and listen to the radio than to go out and socialize. Overall, the lyrics of the song convey a sense of contentment and a steadfast commitment to love.
Line by Line Meaning
No one to talk with
I have nobody to converse with and share my thoughts and feelings.
All by myself
I am all alone.
No one to walk with
I have no companion to take leisurely strolls with.
But I'm happy on the shelf
Despite being alone, I am content with my own company.
Ain't misbehavin'
I am not engaging in any wrongful behavior.
I'm savin' my love for you
I am keeping my affection and devotion reserved for my true love.
I know for certain
I am confident and sure about something.
The one I love
The person I am deeply in love with.
I'm through with flirtin'
I am done with engaging in casual romantic pursuits with others.
It's just you I'm thinkin' of
You are the only one occupying my thoughts and affections.
Like Jack Horner
Similar to the nursery rhyme character Jack Horner.
In the corner
Positioned in a tucked-away area.
Don't go nowhere
I am content with staying in one place.
What do I care?
I am indifferent to other people's opinions or actions.
Your kisses are worth waitin' for
I am willing to patiently wait for and savor your affectionate gestures.
Believe me
Trust that what I am saying is true.
I don't stay out late
I do not enjoy spending my evenings away from home.
Don't care to go
I do not have an interest in going out and being social.
I'm home about eight
I usually return home around 8 PM.
Just me and my radio
I am at home with only my radio for entertainment.
Ain't misbehavin'
I am not engaging in any wrongful behavior.
I'm savin' my love for you
I am keeping my affection and devotion reserved for my true love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Razaf, Fats Waller, Harry Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind