You’d Be Surprised

Written by Irving Berlin in 1919, “You’d Be Surprised” was first introduced by Eddie Cantor in the Ziegfeld Follies and became one of the era’s most talked-about songs. Its humor lies in Berlin’s teasing lyric about a seemingly ordinary man whose romantic abilities astonish everyone – a clever blend of innocence and suggestion that defined post-World War I wit. The song’s success spread quickly through vaudeville and sheet-music sales, performed by stars like Belle Baker and countless imitators on the touring circuit. Decades later, “You’d Be Surprised” found new life on stage and screen: Marilyn Monroe gave it a sultry modern reading in 1954, turning Berlin’s winking lyric into pure mid-century glamour, while Ethel Merman (and later Bette Midler) brought it roaring back to Broadway with comic bravado. Each revival showed how flexible Berlin’s humor could be – adapting effortlessly from the parlor to the spotlight. Across generations the song has remained both funny and revealing, proof of Berlin’s ability to capture changing American attitudes toward love and flirtation without losing his trademark charm. This performance returns to the song’s melodic core – simple, sly, and timeless. #IrvingBerlin #YoudBeSurprised #MarilynMonroe #EthelMerman #BetteMidler #JasonPaul #TinPanAlley #VintageSong

Written by Irving Berlin in 1919, “You’d Be Surprised” was first introduced by Eddie Cantor in the Ziegfeld Follies and became one of the era’s most talked-about songs. Its humor lies in Berlin’s teasing lyric about a seemingly ordinary man whose romantic abilities astonish everyone – a clever blend of innocence and suggestion that defined post-World War I wit. The song’s success spread quickly through vaudeville and sheet-music sales, performed by stars like Belle Baker and countless imitators on the touring circuit. Decades later, “You’d Be Surprised” found new life on stage and screen: Marilyn Monroe gave it a sultry modern reading in 1954, turning Berlin’s winking lyric into pure mid-century glamour, while Ethel Merman (and later Bette Midler) brought it roaring back to Broadway with comic bravado. Each revival showed how flexible Berlin’s humor could be – adapting effortlessly from the parlor to the spotlight. Across generations the song has remained both funny and revealing, proof of Berlin’s ability to capture changing American attitudes toward love and flirtation without losing his trademark charm. This performance returns to the song’s melodic core – simple, sly, and timeless. #IrvingBerlin #YoudBeSurprised #MarilynMonroe #EthelMerman #BetteMidler #JasonPaul #TinPanAlley #VintageSong