Ain't Misbehavin'
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics


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

Mama, I know for certain
The one I love
Through with flirtin'
Just you that I'm thinkin' of
Misbehavin'
Savin' my love for you

Hmm, like Jack Horner
In the corner
Don't go nowhere
What do I care?
All your kisses
Worth waitin' for, believe me

I don't stay out late
Don't care to go
Home about eight




Me and my radio
Misbehavin', savin' love for you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong depict a sense of contentment and dedication to a loved one. The song evokes a feeling of solitude, as the singer expresses that they are all alone with no one to talk or walk with. Despite this, they find happiness in being "on the shelf," which could suggest enjoying their own company.


The chorus, "Ain't misbehavin', I'm savin' my love for you," communicates the singer's commitment to their loved one. They acknowledge that they have found the one they truly love and are done with flirting or being with anyone except for them. They are dedicated to keeping their love pure, saving it only for this special person.


The verse about Jack Horner in the corner adds a playful touch to the song. It implies that the singer is perfectly content staying in one place, not needing to go anywhere since their love interest is the only one that matters. The singer places value on their kisses, emphasizing that they are worth waiting for.


The final verse mentions the singer's routine, stating that they don't stay out late and prefer to be at home around eight o'clock with their radio. This reiterates the theme of contentment and being satisfied with simplicity in life, as long as they have their loved one.


The lyrics of "Ain't Misbehavin'" showcase the essence of loyalty, contentment, and dedicated love. It highlights the joy found in being alone with oneself, while also emphasizing the desire to share that love and devotion with a special person.


Line by Line Meaning

No one to talk with
I have no one to have a conversation with


All by myself
I am all alone


No one to walk with
I have no companion to walk alongside


I'm happy on the shelf
I am content being alone


Ain't misbehavin'
I am not causing trouble or behaving inappropriately


I'm savin' my love for you
I am reserving my affection and love exclusively for you


Mama, I know for certain
Mother, I am completely sure


The one I love
You are the person I adore


Through with flirtin'
I am done with flirting with others


Just you that I'm thinkin' of
You are the sole person occupying my thoughts


Misbehavin'
I am not causing trouble or behaving inappropriately


Savin' my love for you
I am reserving my affection and love exclusively for you


Hmm, like Jack Horner
Like the character Jack Horner from a nursery rhyme


In the corner
In a secluded place


Don't go nowhere
I have no desire to go anywhere


What do I care?
I have no concern or interest in anything else


All your kisses
Every kiss from you


Worth waitin' for, believe me
They are worth waiting for, trust me


I don't stay out late
I do not remain outside till late hours


Don't care to go
I have no desire to go


Home about eight
I return home around eight o'clock


Me and my radio
I, accompanied only by my radio


Misbehavin', savin' love for you
I am not causing trouble or behaving inappropriately, I am reserving my affection and love exclusively for you




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
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Marina Sani

No one to talk with, all by myself
No one to walk with but I'm happy on the shelf
Ain't misbehavin', savin' all my love for you

I know for certain, the one I love
I'm through with flirtin', it's just you I'm thinkin' of
Ain't misbehavin', savin' all my love for you

Like Jack Horner, in the corner
Don't go no where, 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', savin' all my love for you

Like Jack Horner, in the corner
Don't go no where, 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', savin' all my love for you



All comments from YouTube:

eldark1

Besides my 8 year old daughter , this is the only woman that can reduce me to tears . There will NEVER be a voice like this .

justjack78

truly a class act. she is one of the few true talents of our lifetime who could sing anything, and make it hers.

Marina Sani

No one to talk with, all by myself
No one to walk with but I'm happy on the shelf
Ain't misbehavin', savin' all my love for you

I know for certain, the one I love
I'm through with flirtin', it's just you I'm thinkin' of
Ain't misbehavin', savin' all my love for you

Like Jack Horner, in the corner
Don't go no where, 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', savin' all my love for you

Like Jack Horner, in the corner
Don't go no where, 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', savin' all my love for you

Fernando Pereira

Ella!!! Always Ella!!! The very first lady of the Jazz.. Eternal!!!

GeminiNightOwl

Ella was in a class all by herself...First Lady of Song and every song she sang in only the style she could were nothing short of perfection :)

Jan Smolorz

Great music and great vocal

Saúl Collins

21 years old Mexican Felt in love with ella.... what a great singer!!!

Pepemarcaacme

Nunca es tarde

PinkyJezebel

BEST version of this song right here

Francisco Revuelta

Nowhere near Fats' interpretation

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