Ain't Misbehavin'

1929 Song

Lyrics by Andy Razaf

Score by Thomas "Fats" Waller and Harry Brooks

Genres considered - Stride Jazz, Early Swing

Written for the Broadway musical comedy play, Connie's Hot Chocolates

The song debuted in Harlem at Connie's Inn.  

The musical was moved to the Hudson Theater on Broadway in June 1929 and was renamed Hot Chocolates.  Louis Armstrong was named the orchestra director.

Louis Armstrong was to play a trumpet solo of "Ain't Misbehavin'" in the orchestra pit.  Due to acclaim, he was requested to play the song on stage.

There have been six different recordings of "Ain't Misbehavin'" and all ranked on the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Leo Reisman and His Orchestra (Vocals by Lew Conrad, No. 2)

Louis Armstrong (No. 7)

Bill Robinson (with Irving Mills & his Hotsy Totsy Gang, No. 8)

Gene Austin (with Leonard Joy & his Orchestra, No. 9)

Ruth Etting (No. 16)

Fats Waller (Instrumental, No. 17)

Fats Waller recorded a second version with vocals for the 1943 film, Stormy Weather.  This recording received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1984.  Further, this recording was one of 365 Songs of the Century selected by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America, 2001).  This recording was one of fifty to be included in the National Recording Registry in 2004.

Other recordings include -

Johnnie Ray (No. 17 on UK Singles, May 1956)

Tommy Bruce and the Bruisers (No. 3 on UK Singles, 1960)

Leon Redbone (Saturday Night Live, 1976)

Hank Williams Jr. 

- 1985 Five-O album

- Released as a single 

- No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles

- Grammy Award Nomination

On Film -

1944 - Atlantic City (sung by Louis Armstrong)

1948 - You Were Meant for Me

1955 - Gentlemen Marry Brunettes 

(Performed by Alan Young, Jane Russell, Jeanne Crain, and Chorus, with choreography)

1975 - Lucky Lady (Performed by Burt Reynolds)

(Wikipedia)