After appearing in Vaudeville theater with her sisters, Judy was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a teenager. There she made more than two dozen films, including nine with Mickey Rooney, and the film with which she would be most identified, "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). After 15 years, Judy was released from the studio but gained renewed success through record-breaking concert appearances, including a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall concert, a well-regarded but short-lived television series, and a return to film acting beginning with "A Star Is Born" (1954).
Despite her professional triumphs, Judy battled personal problems throughout her life. Insecure about her appearance, her feelings were compounded by film executives who told her she was unattractive and overweight. Plied with drugs to control her weight and increase her productivity, Garland endured a decades-long struggle with addiction. Garland was plagued by financial instability, often owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes, and her first four of five marriages ended in divorce. She attempted suicide on a number of occasions. Garland died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 47, leaving children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft.
Legacy
Judy Garland's legacy as a performer and a personality has endured long after her death. The American Film Institute named Garland eighth among the "Greatest Female Stars of All Time". She has been the subject of over two dozen biographies since her death, including the well-received "Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir" by her daughter, Lorna Luft. Luft's memoir was later adapted into the multiple award-winning television mini-series, "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows", which won Emmy Awards for two actresses portraying Garland (Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis).
Garland was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. Several of her recordings have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. These include "Over the Rainbow," which was ranked as the number one movie song of all time in the American Film Institute's "100 Years...100 Songs" list. Four more Garland songs are featured on the list: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (#76), "Get Happy" (#61), "The Trolley Song" (#26), and "The Man That Got Away" (#11).
Judy Garland has twice been honored on U.S. postage stamps, in 1989 (as Dorothy) and again in 2006 (as Vicki Lester from A Star Is Born).
All the Things You Are
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something to make my heart beat much faster
What did I long for, I never really knew.
Finding your love, I found my adventure,
Touching your hand my heart beat much faster
All that I want in all of this world is you.
You are the promised kiss of springtime
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
You are the angel glow that lights the star,
The dearest things I know are what you are.
Someday my happy arms will hold you,
And someday I'll know that moment divine
When all the things you are, are mine.
The lyrics to Judy Garland's song "All the Things You Are" are a beautiful depiction of a person finding love and finally understanding what they had been longing for all along. The first verse describes the longing for adventure, something that would make the heart beat faster, but not knowing what it was they wanted until they found love. The second verse describes the love they found as all they could ever want in the world, and how it brings light to the darkest days.
The chorus of the song paints a beautiful picture of the love that has been found by the singer. It describes the love as a promised kiss of springtime that makes even the loneliest winters seem less unbearable. It also describes the love as a breathless hush of evening, something that seems to be on the brink of an even lovelier song. The second half of the chorus speaks to the divine moment when the singer's happy arms will finally hold the object of their affection.
Overall, this song is about finding love and realizing that it is all one needs. The love that has been found is everything the singer could have ever wanted in the world. The lyrics paint a beautiful picture of love and the moment when one finally understands what it is they had been searching for all along.
Line by Line Meaning
Time and again I've longed for adventure
Repeatedly, I have yearned for excitement and new experiences.
Something to make my heart beat much faster
Something that will make me feel alive, exhilarated, and full of energy.
What did I long for, I never really knew.
I was unsure about the nature of my desires.
Finding your love, I found my adventure,
By falling in love with you, I discovered the excitement and thrill I had been seeking.
Touching your hand my heart beat much faster
Simply touching your hand makes my heart race with excitement and anticipation.
All that I want in all of this world is you.
You are the only thing that truly matters to me; you are my world.
You are the promised kiss of springtime
You are the one who brings hope and freshness into my life; you are my salvation.
That makes the lonely winter seem long
You fill my life with so much joy that even the darkest and coldest days seem interminable without you.
You are the breathless hush of evening
You are the peaceful and comforting presence that envelopes me; you calm my soul.
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
You are the inspiration and the catalyst for the beautiful music that fills my heart, mind, and soul.
You are the angel glow that lights the star,
You are the radiant light that shines brilliantly and guides my path in life; you are my guardian angel.
The dearest things I know are what you are.
Of all the precious things in my life, you are the most valuable, the most cherished, and the most beloved.
Someday my happy arms will hold you,
One day, I will embrace you with joy, gladness, and gratitude.
And someday I'll know that moment divine
At some point in the future, I will experience a perfect, transcendent moment of bliss, rapture, and ecstasy.
When all the things you are, are mine.
When I possess and experience all the wonderful qualities, attributes, and virtues that you embody and share with me.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LeCieri
At just 17 years old, she was already the greatest singer of all time.
Ignatz Mouse
Her voice has such enormous depth and character, it's wonderful.
Emily Boyer
I just love how unique her voice is. The character of her voice is unlike any other and it really shows how great a vocalist (or instrumentalist) can be if they hone in their own sound with confidence.
Mark Blackburn
Depth and character. That simple. Thanks for sharing Ignatz Mouse.
Joseph campbell
Judy was both beautiful and had such a youthful beautiful voice. As an oldie, I miss her.
century123ful
Judy was one if the best female singers of all time and that includes the present day singers.She sings this beautiful song bout as well as her friend, Frank Sinatra did.
Mark Blackburn
You said it. And in so few words. Thanks, century123ful.
SnowyDogz
Her phrasing was phenomenal
CC126
I've never listen Judy singing this song until now, wonderful! :-)
Kevin Slavin
Love the way she diminuendos starting at about 2:28 until she perfectly hits the word divine.