Fats Waller—”Honeysuckle Rose” (1941)

Next to "Ain't Misbehavin' ", "Honeysuckle Rose" was Fats Waller and Andy Razaf's most successful song. Fats made the original Victor recording in 1934 and this soundie was produced in 1941.

John Hamilton-trumpet; Gene Sedric-alto saxophone; Fats Waller-piano & vocal; Al Casey-guitar; Cedric Wallace-double bass; and Wilmore Jones-drums.

In his early years, Thomas Waller had worked as a delivery boy for Conny and George Immerman, owners of a prosperous delicatessen in Harlem. They were known for their fine food, bootleg liquor and beer. When the Immerman brothers asked Fats if he would be interested in writing material for an off-Broadway show at Connie's Inn, Fats replied "Would we consider it? Speaking for my partner and myself, I can say that I insist on it!"

Fats songwriting partner was D.C.-born poet/composer/lyricist Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkaredo (1895-1973) -- better known as Andy Razaf.

Waller and Razaf got together the next day, and Fats played some themes and snatches of tunes. Those Andy liked were worked out to full melodies and within the hour they had written the first song for the show "Load of Coal." The second song followed the same day.

For the third song -- a soft shoe shuffle -- Waller played just the right melody. But then he had to leave and Razaf promised to come up with the lyrics. When Andy finished with the words, he called Fats to tell him he had completed the song. It was called "Honeysuckle Rose" but, unfortunately, Fats had forgotten the melody he had played.

So, Andy had to hum the tune as good as he could remember it. Slowly the idea of the chorus came back to Fats, but neither he nor Andy could remember the bridge. Therefore they had to come up with some new bars for that part. This is how their second most successful song came into existence, after it almost got lost.