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).
Call Me up Some Rainy Afternoon
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At a masquerade the other night
He liked she and she liked he
Just a case of love at single sight
He took Nellie home that eve
Also took the number of her phone
Just before he took his leave
Nellie whispered in the cutest tone
Call me up some rainy afternoon
I'll arrange for a quiet little spoon
Think of all the joy and bliss
We can hug and we can talk about the weather
We can have a quiet little talk
I will see that my mother takes a walk
Mum's the word when we meet
Be a mason, don't repeat
Angel eyes, are you wise?
Goodbye
He look'd wise, then looked for rain
Sure enough it rained that Saturday
"Give me three, four, five, six Main
Nellie dear, prepare I'm on my way"
When he rang the front door bell
No one there responded to his call
Soon he heard his pretty Nell
Singing to somebody in the hall
Call me up some rainy afternoon
Then again how's the evening for a spoon
Call around tomorrow night
We can then put out that fire in the furnace
My mama will sure be out of town
She'll be entertained by Mister Brown
My Papa won't be 'round, he will call on Missus Brown
Angel pet, don't forget
Goodbye
The lyrics of Judy Garland's song "Call Me up Some Rainy Afternoon" depict a playful and flirtatious encounter between two individuals, Nellie Green and Harry Lee. They meet at a masquerade and instantly feel a mutual attraction. Nellie gives Harry her phone number before they part ways, hinting at a desire to connect further.
In the chorus, Nellie suggests that Harry call her on a rainy afternoon, where they can find solace and intimacy. She uses the metaphor of a "quiet little spoon" to imply a cozy and private setting. Nellie also emphasizes the potential joy and bliss they could experience together, highlighting the simplicity and comfort of their interaction. She playfully suggests talking about the weather, indicating that their conversation can be about anything light-hearted and pleasant.
The second verse continues their flirtation as Harry cleverly plans a rendezvous with Nellie. He asks her to be ready when he rings her doorbell, but when he arrives, he hears her singing to someone else in the hall. This implies that Nellie may be entertaining other suitors, despite her romantic interest in Harry.
Overall, the lyrics capture the excitement and anticipation of a new romantic connection. They showcase the charm and wit of both Nellie and Harry, hinting at a slightly mischievous and unpredictable nature in their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Nellie Green met Harry Lee
Nellie Green and Harry Lee crossed paths
At a masquerade the other night
During a recent masquerade event
He liked she and she liked he
They both had mutual affection for each other
Just a case of love at single sight
It was an instant love connection
He took Nellie home that eve
He escorted Nellie back to her place in the evening
Also took the number of her phone
He obtained her phone number as well
Just before he took his leave
Right before he departed
Nellie whispered in the cutest tone
Nellie sweetly whispered
Call me up some rainy afternoon
Contact me during a rainy day
I'll arrange for a quiet little spoon
I'll plan a private rendezvous
Think of all the joy and bliss
Consider the happiness and ecstasy
We can hug and we can talk about the weather
We can embrace and engage in small talk
We can have a quiet little talk
We can have an intimate conversation
I will see that my mother takes a walk
I'll make sure my mother is out of the house
Mum's the word when we meet
Keep it secret when we meet
Be a mason, don't repeat
Be discreet, don't spread the news
Angel eyes, are you wise?
Darling, do you understand?
Goodbye
Farewell
He look'd wise, then looked for rain
He appeared knowledgeable, then searched for rain
Sure enough it rained that Saturday
Indeed, it rained on that specific Saturday
"Give me three, four, five, six Main
"Tell me the street address, number three, four, five, six on Main
Nellie dear, prepare I'm on my way"
Dear Nellie, get ready, I'm coming over"
When he rang the front door bell
As he pressed the doorbell at the front entrance
No one there responded to his call
No one inside answered
Soon he heard his pretty Nell
Shortly after, he heard his beautiful Nell
Singing to somebody in the hall
Singing to someone in the hallway
Then again how's the evening for a spoon
Alternatively, how about an intimate meeting this evening
Call around tomorrow night
Give me a call tomorrow evening
We can then put out that fire in the furnace
We can then extinguish our burning desire
My mama will sure be out of town
My mother will definitely be away
She'll be entertained by Mister Brown
She'll be spending time with Mister Brown
My Papa won't be 'round, he will call on Missus Brown
My father won't be around, he'll visit Mrs. Brown
Angel pet, don't forget
Darling, don't forget
Goodbye
Farewell
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jon Peterson
Judy and Bing...the greatest movie-musical team that Hollywood (sadly) never had
claire coddington
love it
From Glory to Glory with Xander
@peetapix1 Hollywood sure knows how to waste talent. Indeed, the greatest musical team that never appeared on screen.