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).
Boys and Girls Like You
Judy Garland Lyrics
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We walk in lanes where branches meet
And stars send down their blessings from the blue.
We go through storms of doubt and fear
And so we walk from year to year
Believing in each other as we do.
Bravely marching forward two by two...
Walk beneath the skies
They love just as we love
With the same dream in their eyes.
Songs and kings and many things
Have their day and are gone
But boys and girls like you and me
We go on and on.
Songs and kings and many things
Have their day and are gone
But boys and girls like you and me
We go on and on.
The song "Boys and Girls Like You and Me" by Judy Garland poignantly explores the human experience, showcasing the beauty and relatability found in the simplest aspects of life. The opening lines evoke a sense of universality, describing how the young and old alike wander down the same streets, gaze up towards the same sky, and endeavor to navigate the same obstacles. These "boys and girls like you and me" are united by their shared humanity and the idealistic dreams that they hold dear.
The second verse adds a layer of emotional depth to the song, acknowledging that the path towards achieving these dreams is not always easy. Doubt and fear can threaten to undermine our resolve, but the hope that each person holds within themselves empowers them to persist. As the song progresses, the recurring refrain reminds listeners that although kingdoms and works of art may fade, the enduring essence of human connection and perseverance persists.
Overall, the lyrics of "Boys and Girls Like You and Me" emphasize the value of the human experience and the beauty of shared dreams. The song reminds us to keep moving forward bravely, side by side with those around us, regardless of our differences.
Line by Line Meaning
We walk on every city street
We travel through various places and immerse ourselves in different cultures and environments
We walk in lanes where branches meet
We explore paths less traveled and find beauty in nature's creations
And stars send down their blessings from the blue.
The universe often favors us with opportunities and good fortune from the sky
We go through storms of doubt and fear
There are times when we experience anxiety and uncertainty in our journey
And so we walk from year to year
In spite of the challenges, we keep moving forward, with every year bringing new experiences
Believing in each other as we do.
We place our trust in people we meet along the way, forging connections and nurturing relationships
Bravely marching forward two by two...
With courage and determination, we advance towards our goals in pairs, helping and supporting one another
Boys and girls like you and me
People of all genders and ages, including ourselves, are capable of resilience and perseverance
Walk beneath the skies
We live our lives under the vast and beautiful expanse of the sky
They love just as we love
Our capacity for love is a universal human quality, shared by everyone
With the same dream in their eyes.
We all have aspirations and desires that motivate us to keep going
Songs and kings and many things
Various things in life, such as music and leaders, come and go
Have their day and are gone
They have their time in the spotlight, but eventually disappear from public consciousness
But boys and girls like you and me
Despite any shifts in popular trends or power structures, we continue to exist and persevere
We go on and on.
We persist and endure through life's ups and downs, and continue to grow and evolve
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind