THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

412-Fats Waller-Ain’t Misbehavin.’

1929-Has never charted, there was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 3.20. Fats Waller wasn’t just a gifted musician, he was also a comedian. In a 1941 interview Waller said that this song was written while he was lodging in prison for an alimony violation, and that was why he was not misbehaving. Another story goes that on completing the song, Waller and fellow composer Andy Razaf were heading to the theatre when a bird dropped it’s load on the song sheet.’That’s good luck’ said Waller,’But I’m sure glad elephants ain’t flyin.’

‘Thomas Wright Waller was born on May 21st, 1904, in New York City, United States, he died on December 15th, 1943, at the age of 39 after contracting pneumonia. During his lifetime Waller copyrighted over 400 songs, many written with Andy Razaf. It is suspected that Waller wrote many more, but in times of financial difficulties he sold them to other writers and performers who would pass them off as their own, the best example being the 1930 song ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street.’

Andy Razaf was born Andrimanantena Paul Razafinkarefo on December 16th, 1895, in Washington, D. C. United States, he died from cancer at the age of 77 on February 3rd, 1973. Razaf was a poet, composer, and lyricist, his other most famous compositions include the Fats Waller collaboration with ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ from 1929, and the writing of the lyrics for ‘In the Mood,’ made famous by Glen Miller and His Orchestra in 1939 (see also best songs 146.)

Razaf described Waller as ‘The soul of melody, a man who made the piano sing. Both big in body, and in mind, known for his generosity, a bubbling bundle of joy.’ Waller will also be remembered for being one of the innovators in ‘Stride Jazz piano,’ taking his influence from the ‘Ragtime’ players, and incorporating the style in to what would become modern Jazz.

‘Ain’t Misbehavin” is the second oldest song on this countdown, having been co-written in 1929 by Fat Waller, Harry Brook (1895-1970) and Andy Razaf. The song was first performed at the premiere of the Broadway musical ‘Connie’s Hot Chocolates’ as the opening song sung by Paul Bass, and Margaret Simms. There were six successful recordings of the song in 1929 in terms of sheet music sold, with the best selling being by Leo Reisman (1897-1961) and His Orchestra.The recording by Fats Waller that year was an instrumental version, another recording of note was from Louis Armstrong (see also best songs 1039-767-286-231 and 100,) Fats Waller has also re-recorded the song with vocals for his performance in the 1943 film ‘Stormy Weather’ (see also best songs 634) In the UK the song has been a hit twice, in 1957 Johnny Ray took his version to Number 17, and in 1960 Tommy Bruce and the Bruisers made Number 3.

‘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 lovin’ for you.’