"Ain't Misbehavin'" is a 1929 jazz standard composed by stride piano master Fats Waller (1904–1943) and Harry Brooks, with lyrics by Andy Razaf. Written for the Broadway revue Hot Chocolates, it became Waller's most celebrated composition.
Set in E♭ major with a 32-bar AABA form, the tune combines a buoyant, infectious melody rooted in stride piano with irresistibly charming lyrics. Its versatility allows for a wide range of interpretations — from solo piano to big band, vocal to instrumental — making it a timeless staple at jam sessions and live performances.
Waller's original 1929 piano solo recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and selected for the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress. Louis Armstrong also recorded it the same year, and his trumpet solo during the Hot Chocolates run became legendary. The tune has since been covered by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and countless others.
The Real Book (6th Edition)
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