Download Instrumental Sandwich this one between two heavy-duty songs for a nice contrast and to give your dancers a break. It’s a simple arrangement with only piano, bass and drums – the classic hotel lobby trio – and I used a clarinet for the lead vocal.. You, the singer, are going to sell this one with your clever inflections on the lyrics.
“Ain’t Misbehavin” was written by the great Fats Waller with lyricist Andy Razaf. The tune is a classic example of “stride jazz”, a piano technique that is almost ragtime, but much more innovative. The left hand alternates between a single note and a chord, giving the rhythm kind of an “oom-pah” feel while the right hand plays a syncopated melody in and around what the left hand is doing. Quite fun, really, but ya gotta be able to separate your brain into two altogether different factions. In other words, if you can’t walk and chew gum at the same time, forget about it.
The lyrics are the heart and soul of this classic. The singer is lonely: “No one to talk with/all by myself”. However, he’s quite “happy on a shelf”. He swears he’s not staying out late or carousing with other women: “I’m through with flirtin’, it’s just you I’m thinkin’ of” (a paragon of virtue is our hero). “I don’t stay out late, don’t care to go/I’m home about eight, just me and my radio” (what a guy). “Ain’t misbehavin’/I’m saving my love for you” is the refrain repeated four times and pretty much wraps up the gist of this little ditty. I believe him.
Oh, by the way, Fats Waller wrote this while in jail on an alimony charge. I don’t think he had much choice but to “behave”. Doesn’t matter – this is a great song that never gets old and can be performed by a male or female – just change the pronouns. Watch Fats perform “Ain’t Misbehavin” on the link below (with a funky little twist in the middle”.
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Stageworthy Backing Tracks by Dave Zobrist 