Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was a trumpet player, singer, and bandleader, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.
Ain't Misbehavin'
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
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
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