Ain't Misbehavin'
Thomas 'Fats' Waller Lyrics


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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
For you, for you, 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'
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
Got no place to go
I'm home about 8
Just me and my radio

Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' all my love for you

I don't stay out late
Got no place to go
I'm home about 8
Just me and my radio





Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' my love for you

Overall Meaning

The song "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Thomas 'Fats' Waller is about being content with being alone and waiting for the right person to come along. The lyrics describe the singer's current situation of having no one to talk to or walk with, but feeling happy being on their own. Despite this, they assert that they are not misbehaving and are saving their love for someone special. The singer knows for certain who they love and are no longer flirting with anyone else. The lyrics also describe a playful and carefree attitude, as referenced by the Jack Horner nursery rhyme and the idea of not caring about being alone.


The refrain "Ain't misbehavin', I'm savin' my love for you" is the central idea of the song. The line showcases the singer's commitment to the person they love and the decision to wait for them. The repetition of "for you, for you, for you" emphasizes the importance of the person they are saving their love for.


The lyrics also reveal the singer's daily routine of being at home early with only their radio for company. This adds to the feeling of contentment and reinforces the idea that they are happy with their current situation, but still hopeful for something more.


Overall, "Ain't Misbehavin'" is a playful yet sincere song that celebrates being content with oneself while still longing for love.


Line by Line Meaning

No one to talk with
I am alone without any company to talk to


All by myself
I am completely alone


No one to walk with
I have no partner to stroll with


But I'm happy on the shelf
Even though I am alone, I am content with my circumstances


Ain't misbehavin'
I am behaving well and appropriately


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


For you, for you, for you
Only for you and no one else


I know for certain
I am completely sure


The one I love
The person I deeply care about


I'm through with flirtin'
I am tired of charming others for fun


It's just you I'm thinkin' of
You are the only one occupying my thoughts


Like Jack Horner
I am like Jack Horner from the nursery rhyme who sat in the corner


In the corner
Seated in a corner


Don't go nowhere
I am not going anywhere


What do I care
I do not mind


Your kisses
Your affectionate kisses


Are worth waitin' for
They are valuable enough to be waited for


Believe me
Trust me


I don't stay out late
I do not stay out past my curfew


Got no place to go
I do not have any destination to attend


Just me and my radio
I only have my radio as company


Ain't misbehavin'
I am still behaving well and appropriately


I'm savin' all my love for you
All my affection is reserved for you




Contributed by Avery F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@_am2810

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 through with flirtin'
It's you that 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
Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' my love for you



All comments from YouTube:

@MalvadaoDasAmericas

the instrumental is just perfection, I don't know any other word that can express what I feel when I hear it

@diamondgamerxy3888

bliss

@deluxeasshat8547

@@diamondgamerxy3888 sounds about right

@thedrifter9814

Utter and beautiful bliss

@zavierbusby7167

It’s crazy this song is almost 100 years old and it’s still so beautiful

@grognok

It's amazing isn't it. I absolutely love all the old time music, sadly it can't be replicated.

@zavierbusby7167

@@grognok it most certainly cannot be replicated. Very wise words.

@higofyp

My grandfather got me into his music when I was about 6 years old. That's well over 20 years ago now. For my birthday, he found a guy who was the only one in the neighbourhood who had a cassette recorder and made me a mixtape of his songs. I'll never forget that gift, and I wish I appreciated it at the time as much as I do now.

@richardespinoza2839

Wow.

@RitualBakerBaker

I have old records if u want them send me ur p.o

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