Andy Razaf: The Lyricist Behind the Great American Songbook
Andy Razaf was a prolific American lyricist, composer, poet, and vocalist whose words helped define the jazz era. Best known for his legendary collaborations with Fats Waller, Razaf penned some of the most enduring standards in music history, including "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose." His ability to blend wit, emotion, and rhythm made him a cornerstone of the early 20th-century music scene.
Key Facts
- Birth Name: Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo.
- Major Works: "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Honeysuckle Rose", and "Black and Blue".
- Primary Collaborator: Fats Waller.
- Career Start: Began writing song texts at age 17 while working as an elevator operator.
- Legacy: Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
- Total Compositions: Over 800 published and unpublished songs.
Early Life and the Journey to Harlem
Born on December 16, 1895, in Washington, D.C., Razaf had a complex international heritage. His father, Henri Razafinkarefo, was the nephew of Queen Ranavalona III of the Imerina kingdom in Madagascar. His mother, Jennie Razafinkarefo (née Waller), was the daughter of John L. Waller, the first African American consul to Imerina. Following the French invasion of Madagascar between 1894 and 1895, which resulted in Henri's death, a pregnant 15-year-old Jennie fled to the United States. Razaf was subsequently raised in Harlem, Manhattan.
Razaf's entry into the music industry was humble. At age 16, he left school to work as an elevator operator in an office building within Tin Pan Alley—the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated popular music in the early 20th century. By 17, he had written his first song text, marking the start of his professional journey as a lyricist.
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Literary Contributions and Political Activism
Beyond songwriting, Razaf was a dedicated poet and editor. Between 1917 and 1918, his poetry appeared in The Voice, a newspaper edited by Hubert Harrison and a pioneer of the New Negro Movement (an intellectual and cultural awakening of African Americans). He also served as a contributor and editor for the Negro World newspaper, published by the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.
His poetry often touched on social issues. For example, his work Wired, Hired, Fired expressed the grief of qualified individuals being barred from employment due to racial discrimination, while his poem Jack Johnson explored the theme of defeat with honor.
Musical Collaborations and Success
While Razaf worked with many esteemed composers—including Eubie Blake, James P. Johnson, Don Redman, and Harry Brooks—his most significant partnership was with Fats Waller. Together, they created a string of hits that remain staples of the jazz repertoire, such as "The Joint Is Jumpin'", "Willow Tree", and "(What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue".
Razaf's versatility extended to various genres. He wrote "character" blues songs for female singers of the 1920s and occasionally composed both the music and lyrics for his own pieces. Additionally, he was a recording artist in his own right, performing as a vocalist and ukulele player alongside musicians like Fletcher Henderson.
Notable Works and Recordings
The Songwriters Hall of Fame credits Razaf with 215 compositions, though some biographies suggest his total output exceeded 800 songs. While his work appears on hundreds of recordings, only two albums are dedicated exclusively to his catalog: Maxine Sullivan's A Tribute to Andy Razaf (1956) and Bobby Short's Guess Who's in Town: Bobby Short Performs the Songs of Andy Razaf (1987).
| Song Title | Notable Collaborator/Detail |
|---|---|
| Ain't Misbehavin' | Fats Waller |
| Honeysuckle Rose | Fats Waller |
| Black and Blue | Fats Waller |
| Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You | Don Redman (1929) |
| Christopher Columbus | Leon Berry (1936) |
| Mound Bayou | Named after a Black community in Mississippi |
| Stompin' at the Savoy | Jazz Standard |
Final Years and Legacy
Throughout his life, Razaf was married four times, first to Annabelle Miller in 1915, followed by Jean Blackwell Hutson, Dorothy Carpenter, and finally Alicia Wilson Georgiade.
In 1972, Razaf received the ultimate validation from his peers when he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He passed away on February 3, 1973, in North Hollywood, California, due to renal failure at the age of 77.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Andy Razaf's most famous collaborator?
His most important collaborator was the jazz pianist and singer Fats Waller, with whom he wrote classics like "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose".
What was Andy Razaf's background?
Razaf was born in Washington, D.C., to a father who was the nephew of Queen Ranavalona III of Madagascar and a mother who was the daughter of the first African American consul to Imerina.
Did Andy Razaf do more than write lyrics?
Yes, he was also a composer, a poet, and a vocalist who made several recordings as a soloist and with other musicians.
How many songs did Andy Razaf write?
While the Songwriters Hall of Fame lists 215 compositions, some biographical sources estimate he wrote more than 800 songs, including many that remained unpublished.
When was Andy Razaf inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame?
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972, one year before his death.