After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1947. Her early roles were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve (both 1950) were well received. She was praised for her comedic ability in such films as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire and The Seven Year Itch, and became one of Hollywood's most popular and glamorous performers.
The typecasting of Monroe's "dumb blonde" persona limited her career prospects, so she broadened her range. She studied at the Actors Studio and formed Marilyn Monroe Productions. Her dramatic performance in William Inge's Bus Stop was hailed by critics, and she won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Some Like it Hot.
The final years of Monroe's life were marked by illness, personal problems, and a reputation for being unreliable and difficult to work with. The circumstances of her death, from an overdose of barbiturates, have been the subject of conjecture. Though officially classified as a "probable suicide", the possibility of an accidental overdose has not been ruled out, while conspiracy theorists argue that she was murdered.
In 1999, Monroe was ranked as the sixth greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute.
Marilyn's personal life started at a young age at age of 16 when she firstly married James Dougherty on August 5, 1942 in Brentwood, California.
She divorced Dougherty on May 19, 1946.
After Monroe made How To Marry A Millionaire (1953) in 1953. She met Joe DiMaggio on December 30, 1954 at nightclub in Vegas. They married on January 14, 1954 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
She alleged that DiMaggio raped her on her wedding night. They divorced on August 4, 1954 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Monroe married Arthur Miller on June 4, 1956 in Phoenix, Nevada. They moved to Brentwood, California in early August 1956.
The couple divorced on November 12, 1961 in Los Angeles, California. She was found dead at her home in Brentwood, California after a barbiturate (sleeping pill) overdose on August 5, 1962 when she was age 36.
You'd Be Surprised
Marilyn Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when you get him alone
You'd be surpised
He isn't much at a dance
But then when he takes you home
You'd be surpised
He doesn't look like much of a lover
Don't judge a book by its cover
But there's a devil in his eyes
He's such a delicate thing
But when he starts into squeeze
You'd be surprised
He doesn't look very strong
But when you sit on his knee
You'd be surprised
At a party or at a ball
I've got to admit
He's nothing at all
But in a modest chair
You'd be surprised
He doesn't look like much of a lover
Don't judge a book by its cover
'cause he's got the face of an angel
But there's a devil in his eyes
He doesn't say very much
But when he starts into speak
You'd be surprised
He's not so good at the start
But at the end of the week
You would be surprised
On a streetcar or in a train
You'd think he was born
Without any brain
But in a taxicab
And when he starts to grab
I said a taxicab
You'd be surprised
This one's a real danger
In Marilyn Monroe's song "You'd Be Surprised," she sings about a man who may not appear to be much but surprises her with his hidden abilities. He's not good in a crowd but when they're alone, he impresses her. He's not much of a dancer but when he takes her home, she's surprised. Although he has the face of an angel, there's a devil in his eyes, and even though he looks delicate, he's strong and surprises her with his ability to squeeze. The man doesn't say much, but when he starts to speak, she's amazed. He doesn't seem to have a brain when on a streetcar or in a train, but in a taxicab, he surprises her when he starts to grab her.
The song is about not judging someone based on their appearance or first impression. It suggests that one may be surprised by what someone is capable of if given the chance. The lyrics also allude to the idea that people can have multiple sides to their personality that may not be immediately visible. It's a reminder to not make assumptions and give someone a chance to reveal their true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
He's not so good in a crowd
He doesn't stand out in a crowd
But when you get him alone
Only in private, one can see his true character
You'd be surprised
He is not as he appears to be
He isn't much at a dance
He is not a skilled dancer
But then when he takes you home
He is a good companion when alone
He doesn't look like much of a lover
His appearance does not suggest that he is passionate
Don't judge a book by its cover
Appearances can be deceptive
He's got the face of an angel
His face is very attractive
But there's a devil in his eyes
His eyes show his true nature
He's such a delicate thing
He seems fragile
But when he starts into squeeze
When he becomes physically affectionate
You'd be surprised
His strength is unexpected
He doesn't look very strong
He lacks physical strength
But when you sit on his knee
When he holds you close
You'd be surprised
He is more comforting than expected
At a party or at a ball
He doesn't do well in social settings
I've got to admit
It's true
He's nothing at all
He is not impressive
But in a modest chair
In a quiet, private setting
You'd be surprised
He is charming in his own way
He doesn't say very much
He is not very talkative
But when he starts into speak
When he does speak
You'd be surprised
His words are unexpected
He's not so good at the start
He doesn't make a good first impression
But at the end of the week
Once you get to know him
You would be surprised
He is more impressive than he first appears
On a streetcar or in a train
In public transportation
You'd think he was born
It seems like he has no manners
Without any brain
He seems unintelligent
But in a taxicab
In a private cab ride
And when he starts to grab
When he becomes physical
I said a taxicab
Specifically in a cab
You'd be surprised
He is more assertive than expected
This one's a real danger
He is unpredictable and possibly dangerous
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ella Vonk
He's not so good in a crowd
But when you get him alone
You'd be surpised
He isn't much at a dance
But then when he takes you home
You'd be surpised
He doesn't look like much of a lover
Don't judge a book by its cover
He's got the face of an angel
But there's a devil in his eyes
He's such a delicate thing
But when he starts into squeeze
You'd be surprised
He doesn't look very strong
But when you sit on his knee
You'd be surprised
At a party or at a ball
I've got to admit
He's nothing at all
But in a modest chair
You'd be surprised
He doesn't look like much of a lover
Don't judge a book by its cover
'cause he's got the face of an angel
But there's a devil in his eyes
He doesn't say very much
But when he starts into speak
You'd be surprised
He's not so good at the start
But at the end of the week
You would be surprised
On a streetcar or in a train
You'd think he was born
Without any brain
But in a taxicab
And when he starts to grab
I said a taxicab
You'd be surprised
This one's a real danger
SB SE
He's not so good in a crowd but when you get him alone
You'd be surprised
He isn't much at a dance but then when he takes you home
You'd be surprised
He doesn't look like much of a lover
Don't judge a book by its cover
'cause he's got the face of an angel but
There's a devil in his eye!
He's such a delicate thing but when he's starting to squeeze
You'd be surprised
He doesn't look very strong but when you sit on his knee
You'd be surprised
At a party or at a ball
I've got to admit he's nothing at all
But in a Morris chair, you'd be surprised
He doesn't say very much but when he's starting to speak
You'd be surprised
He's not so good at the start but at the end of the week
You'd be surprised
On a streetcar or in a train
You'd think he was born without any brains
But in a taxi cab, and when he starts to grab
I say in a taxi cab, you'd be surprised
This one's a real danger!
Yves G
Il n'est pas très bon dans une foule
Mais si vous êtes seule avec lui
Vous seriez surprise
Il ne danse pas très bien
Mais si il vous ramène chez lui
Vous seriez surprise
Il ne semble pas très amoureux
On ne juge pas un livre à sa couverture
Il a le visage d'un ange
Mais il y a le diable dans ses yeux
C'est une créature délicate
Mais si il vous presse contre lui
Vous seriez surprise
Il ne semble pas très fort
Mais si il vous met sur ses genoux
Vous seriez surprise
A une partie ou en boite de nuit
Je dois reconnaître
Qu'il ne vaut pas grand chose
Mais dans un fauteuil avec lui
Vous seriez surprise
Il ne semble pas très amoureux
Ne jugez pas un livre à sa couverture
Il a un visage d'ange
Mais il y a le diable dans ses yeux
Il ne dit pas grand chose
Mais si il commence à parler
Vous seriez surprise
Il n'est pas très bon au début
Mais à la fin de la semaine
Vous seriez surprise
Dans un bus ou dans un train
Vous penseriez qu'il est né sans cerveau
Mais dans un taxi et quand il vous attrape, je dis bien un taxi
Vous seriez surprise
Ce type, c'est un vrai danger
Joshua Smith
Marilyn was the ultimate package. She had stunning beauty, amazing singer, great dancer, and a vulnerability that was also a part of her early as present day success.
Denis Besedin
Люблю её тембр голоса и её смех. Мэрилин великолепна!!!!
Casey Ligon
Beautiful singing and instrumentation. Marilyn is truly one of a kind!
Marcia Heussen
Ik Zou best wel Met haar., willen Vrijen.!.
Grey Flanel
Marilyn est une icône en tant qu’actrice incontournable et une chanteuse à la voix formidable.Merci pour le partage
Ferdinand Vasquez
It's a pity that gorgeous Marilyn didn't get to record as much as many great American songbook back in the 50s when her sweet voice was more than capable of putting her own trademark to them classics. But this music collection will be one of her many Legacies that will be enjoyed by the future generation, she'd be surprised!💖💖💖
Xdogo26 Xdogo26
💞💞💞💞
Roberto Incutti
One cannot help just to love her…
Sweet, gorgeous Marilyn!♥️🇮🇹🇬🇧🌹
Jeffrey Lipinski
Marilyn was a darn good singer People said she couldn't sing.. I disagree.. I have her CD collection of all her recordings and Marilyn did just fine..
Suzanne Lammens
And they didn't have audiotune yet so she could sing