Bert Williams records “Unexpectedly” for Columbia records

One hundred years ago today … Bert Williams, Black mega-star of music and stage, was at the Columbia Records Studio in Manhattan, located in the Woolworth building, to record “Unexpectedly,” a song about down-low sex, booze, and theft. (Listen to it here.)

“Williams was a Bahamian-American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He was by far the best-selling black recording artist before 1920.” (“Williams, Bert." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library.”)

He has popped up on our site a couple times before. 

It was Willliams’ second recording session that week. On October 24th, he had recorded “Brother Low Down.” The two songs would be released together on 78 RPM vinyl in 1922. The label of the record lists Williams as a “comedian,” which understates his multi-valent achievements.

“Unexpectedly” was written by Perry Bradford (music) and Jim Burriss (lyrics). Bradford has shown up several times on this site, primarily in connection with Mamie Smith, and his work on the first ever blues vocal records. 

The lyrics are below, courtesy of Jim Dixon at Mudcat Cafe.  According to Dixon, “Bert Williams recorded this as a recitation with musical accompaniment. Accordingly, he embellished it with a few spoken phrases, not shown here, to make it more conversational in tone.”

Unexpectedly

1. There's one thing that happens to me and you

When we have something special to do.

It seems like something happens 'fore we get through

Unexpectedly.

On a married lady once I called.

Her husband came; he was six foot tall.

I had to take window sash and all

Unexpectedly.

CHORUS: There is lots of meaning in that one little word:

Unexpectedly.

Now, hootch is another one that's not often heard

Unexpectedly.

I used to drink gin sup by sup,

Then I learned to drink it cup by cup.

Here prohibition came along, messed ev'rything up

Unexpectedly.

2. I got some work in a swell cafe,

And took some fresh meat every day (just a small piece).

The boss got wise to me in some kind o' way

Unexpectedly.

Next morn' judge says: "What have you to say about that?

The boss caught you with chops in your hat."

I said: "Not guilty"; he said: "Six months for that"

Unexpectedly.

CHORUS: I found out the meaning of that one little word,

Unexpectedly.

It seems like I always do the bad for good,

Unexpectedly.

He said if I'd taken a ham or a goose,

He might have found some way to let me loose,

"But for two pork chops let you free?

No; take him; throw away the key"

Unexpectedly.

– Jonathan Goldman, Oct 28, 2021

Tags: Black musicians, African American history, music, song, comedy, Caribbean, immigrants