He’s So Unusual – Helen Kane (June 14, 1929)

“He’s So Unusual” is a song from the late 1920s performed by Helen Kane, who was the inspiration for the Betty Boop character. The song was written by Al Sherman, Al Lewis and Abner Silver. Released on June 14, 1929, “He’s So Unusual” was featured in the motion picture, Sweetie. Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. Inc. are the publishers of record.

“He’s So Unusual” was later covered by Cyndi Lauper, in a short (45 second) version, on her Grammy Awardwinning album, She’s So Unusual. The sung lyrics continue in the background of the subsequent song “Yeah Yeah”, while the beginning of the song plays before “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” in the song’s music video.

You talk of sweeties, bashful sweeties
I got one of those
Oh, he’s handsome as can be
But he worries me;
He goes to college and gathers knowledge
Hooh! What that boy knows!
He’s up in his Latin and Greek
But in his sheikin’, he’s weak!

‘Cause when I want some lovin’
And I gotta have some lovin’
He says, “Please! Stop it, please!”
He’s so unusual!

When I want some kissin’
And I gotta have some kissin’
He says, “No! Let me go.”
He’s so unusual!

I know lots of boys who would be crazy over me
If they only had this fellow’s opportunity
You know, I would let him pet me
But the darn fool, he doesn’t let me!
Oh, he’s so unusual that he drives me wild!

When we’re in the moonlight
He says, “I don’t like the moonlight
Aw, let’s not talk in the dark.”
Huh, he’s so unusual!

And when we’re riding in a taxi
He converses with the cheuffeur
Oh, why don’t he talk to me?
Oh, he’s so different!

Others would be tickled pink to bop-op-a-dop-e-dop!
He don’t even know what bop-op-op-a-dop’s about!
He says love is hokum
Oh, I’d like to choke, choke, choke him!
‘Cause he’s so unusual that he drives me wild!

You might as well be by yourself as in his company
When we’re out together, I’m as lonesome as can be

But still I’m mad about him
And I just can’t live without him;
‘Cause he’s so unusual that he drives me bop-bop-a-dop-bop!