The 1971 Song Bill Withers Never Actually Finished and His Clever Improvisation That Made It a True Classic

Bill Withers’ 1971 hit, “Ain’t No Sunshine” wasn’t as calculated as one might think. Though, before we get to exactly what we mean by that we must acknowledge the unexpected journey he endured to get the opportunity to record this song. Withers was like any struggling artist trying to make it, as he made aircraft toilets in a Los Angeles factory and made music on the side waiting for his big break.

Well, Withers did get his break. Matter of fact, it happened so fast that he wasn’t even able to perfect and complete his most famous hit. But beggars can’t be choosers, so Withers succumbed to greater forces to make his long-time dream a reality.

Bill Withers’ Record Deal & Clever Improvisation

Withers’ 1971 debut album was a culmination of demo records he’d recorded while still working his day job. These demos scored Withers his first-ever record deal with Sussex Record and allowed him to be produced by the one and only, Booker T. However, the quickness of his signing left “Ain’t No Sunshine” unfinished and unperfected.

Even though Withers hadn’t finished the song, upon its release it still reached No. 3 on the charts. That being so, a mixture of Withers’ original unfinished project and exceptional improvisational skill made the song what it was. What Withers improvised is to this day arguably the most famous part of the song and that is the incredibly long chorus of the song in which Withers sings I know / I know / I know…

Withers’ chorus of the same repeated phrase was never meant to be as long as it is. However, given that he hadn’t finished the song, Withers sang the line as filler with plans to change it once the lyrics were finished. Though, Booker T and company thought it was great, and ended up keeping it in the song’s final version.

“I was this factory worker… so when they said to leave it like that, I left it,” Withers divulged to Rolling Stone. Thanks to Bill Withers’ lack of experience, he crafted arguably one of the most infamous choruses of all time. In addition to reaching No. 3, Billboard named the song the 23rd biggest hit of 1971. Also, thanks to this filler, Withers incidentally created one of the greatest karaoke tracks of all time. Other classic Withers songs include “Just The Two of Us” and “Lovely Day.”

Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns