If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake

Album: Radio Years (1950)
Play Video
  • Come in!

    Well, well, well, look who's here
    I haven't seen you in many a year!

    If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
    Baked a cake, baked a cake
    If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
    How-ja do, how-ja do, how-ja do?

    Had you dropped me a letter I'd've hired a band
    Grandest band in the land
    Had you dropped me a letter I'd've hired a band
    And spread the welcome mat for you

    Oh, I don't know where you came from
    'Cause I don't know where you've been
    But it really doesn't matter
    Grab a chair and fill your platter
    And dig-dig-dig right in

    If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
    Hired a band, goodness sake
    If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
    How-ja do, how-ja do, how-ja do?

    If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
    Baked a cake, baked a cake
    If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
    How-ja do, how-ja do, how-ja do?

    Had you dropped me a letter I'd've hired a band
    Grandest band in the land
    Had you dropped me a letter I'd've hired a band
    And spread the welcome mat for you

    Oh, I don't know where you came from
    'Cause I don't know where you've been
    But it really doesn't matter
    Grab a chair and fill your platter
    And dig-dig-dig right in

    If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
    Hired a band, goodness sake
    If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
    How-ja do, how-ja do, how-ja do?
    How-ja do, how-ja do, how-ja do?
    How-ja do? Writer/s: Al Hoffman, Bob Merrill, Clem Watts
    Publisher: MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Royalty Network
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Lisa Letto from PennsylvaniaThey're are not many songs from that era that spring to mind even now
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1950 {April 1st} "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake" by Eileen Barton peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Best-Selling Pop Singles chart...
    For the two weeks prior to reaching #1 it was at position #2, then for the four weeks it succeeded at #1 it once again was at position #2...
    Between 1950 and 1954 the Brooklyn, NY native had ten records on the Billboard's national charts, two made the Top 10 with the above "If I Knew You Were Comin', I'd've Baked A Cake" being her biggest hit...
    Besides "If I Knew You Were Coming, I'd Have Baked A Cake", her other Top 10 record was "Cry", it peaked right at #10 in 1951...
    She also had one Top 20 record, "Pretend" at #17 in 1953...
    Eileen Barton passed away at the age of 81 on June 27th, 2006...
    May she R.I.P.
    * And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Best-Selling Pop Singles' Top 10 on April 1st, 1950:
    At #2. "Music! Music! Music!" by Teresa Brewer
    #3. "The Third Man Theme" by Anton Karas
    #4. "It Isn't Fair" by Sammy Kaye, with vocals by Don Cornell
    #5. "Peter Cottontail" by Gene Autry
    #6. "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy" by Red Foley
    #7. "There's No Tomorrow" by Tony Martin
    #7. "My Foolish Heart" by Gordon Jenkins, with vocals by Sandy Evans
    #9. "Sentimental Me" by the Ames Brothers
    #10. "Peter Cottontail" by Mervin Shiner
  • Ted from Phoenix, AzThis song is one of the best reasons why rock and roll happened. Novelty or not, it was just too Caucasian-sounding for its own good!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.