You'd Be Surprised Explained

You'd Be Surprised
Type:composition
Artist:Irving Berlin
Written:1919

"You'd Be Surprised" is a song written by Irving Berlin in 1919 which Eddie Cantor interpolated it into Ziegfeld's Follies of 1919.[1] Cantor soon recorded it and it became a major hit. Other popular versions in 1920 were by the All-Star Trio and by Irving Kaufman.[2]

Lyrics

The first verse introduces the shy Johnny and the woman Mary who finds him to be an exceptional lover, although apparently no one else ever has. She explains his appeal in the first chorus. By the second verse, Mary's talking-up of Johnny has resulted in him now being very popular with the ladies. The song leaves any questions about Mary's status unanswered.

The first chorus mentions the Morris Chair, made popular in America by furniture maker Gustav Stickley.

Part of first verse:

Johnny was bashful and shy;

Nobody understood why

Mary loved him

All the other girls passed him by.

Everyone wanted to know

How she could pick such a beau

With a twinkle in her eye

She made this reply

Parts of various choruses:

He's not so good in a crowd

But when you get him alone

You'd be surprised;

He's kind of scared in a mob

But when he takes you home

You'd be surprised.

He won't impress you

Right from the start

But in a week or two

You'd be surprised.

At a party or a ball

I've got to admit he's nothing at all

But in a Morris chair

You'd be surprised

Part of second verse:

Mary continued to praise

Johnny's remarkable ways

To the ladies

And you know advertising pays

Now Johnny's ne'er alone

He has the busiest phone

Almost every other day

A new girl will say

Cover versions

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bergreen . Laurence . As Thousands Cheer . 1990 . Hodder and Stoughton . London . 0-340-53486-9 . 171.
  2. Book: Whitburn . Joel . Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954 . 1986 . Record Research Inc. . Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin . 0-89820-083-0 . 617.
  3. Web site: The Online Discographical Project . 78discography.com . March 31, 2020.
  4. Web site: The Definitive Hoosier Hotshots Collection - H... | AllMusic. www.allmusic.com.
  5. Web site: 45cat.com . 45cat.com . March 31, 2020.
  6. Web site: allmusic.com . allmusic.com . March 31, 2020.
  7. http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=You%27d+Be+Surprised+by+Kathy+Linden&id=23898 Kathy Linden, "You'd Be Surprised" chart position
  8. Web site: Discogs.com . Discogs.com . March 31, 2020.
  9. Web site: AllMusic | Record Reviews, Streaming Songs, Genres & Bands. AllMusic.