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).
Could You Use Me_
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Show a little sympathy
No one could possible could be steerner
Than you have been with me,
A.. there's a job that I'm applying for
Let me put it to ya thus
There's a partner ship I'm dien' for
So before you file it on the shelf,
Let me tell you of myself
Oh I'm the chapie to make ya happy
I'll tie your shoesies, and chase you bluesies
Oh lady would ya, could ya use me
Now I'd shake the mat out
And let the cat out
I'll clean the garret
And feed the parrot
Oh lady would ya, oh tell me could ya use me?
Do ya realize what a good man your getting in me?
I'm no elker mason or woodman who gets home at three
The girls that see me grow soft and dreamy
But I'm a gander that wont falander
Oh could ya use me, cause I certainly could use you
There's a chap I know in Mexico
Who's as strong as he can be
Eating nails and drinking Texaco
He is the type for me
There is one I California
More romantic far than you
When he sings ha cha cha chornia
I often think he'll do
But as for you sir, I'm afraid
You will never make the grade
For your no cowboy, your soft, and how, boy
I feel no mussel that's fit for tussle
I must refuse you, I cannot use you
'scuse me
No night life for the
Birds would bore youthe cows wont know you,
A horse would throw you,
You silly man you
To ask me, can you use me?
Ha
Though at love you may be a wizard, I'm wanting to know
Could you warm me up in a blizzard
Say, forty below
Your ties are freakish
Your knees are weakish
Your not a zender, you elbow bender
Though you can use me
I most certainly cant use you
In the song "Could You Use Me?" Judy Garland's character is pleading with a man to give him a job or allow him to be his partner. The easterner is asking for some sympathy and understanding as he has been judged harshly by his potential partner. He is prepared to show just how valuable he can be in the partnership and how he can bring happiness to the potential partner's life. He tells him he can clean the house, feed the pets and make him happy as he would be the "chappie" to chase away any blues of his. However, the potential partner is unimpressed and dismisses him as too weak to be his partner, preferring someone stronger and more romantic. The song captures the easterner's frustration and desperation as he tries to make a connection with the potential partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Have some pittie on an easterner,
Show a little sympathy
No one could possible could be steerner
Than you have been with me,
I come from the Eastern part of the country, so please be kind to me. You have been harsh with me so far.
A.. there's a job that I'm applying for
Let me put it to ya thus
There's a partner ship I'm dien' for
Mr. and Mrs. us
So before you file it on the shelf,
Let me tell you of myself
Oh I'm the chapie to make ya happy
I'll tie your shoesies, and chase you bluesies
Oh lady would ya, could ya use me
I am applying for a job and I have found the perfect partner - you and I can work together beautifully. Let me tell you about myself, I am capable of making you happy and taking care of your problems. Would you consider working with me?
Now I'd shake the mat out
And let the cat out
I'll clean the garret
And feed the parrot
Oh lady would ya, oh tell me could ya use me?
I am willing to take care of household duties like cleaning and pet care. Would you consider having me help you?
Do ya realize what a good man your getting in me?
I'm no elker mason or woodman who gets home at three
The girls that see me grow soft and dreamy
But I'm a gander that wont falander
Oh could ya use me, cause I certainly could use you
I am a good man and worker, unlike the men you may be used to. I won't stay out late drinking, but instead am reliable and will treat you well. I won't cheat on you either. I need work, so would you consider working with me?
There's a chap I know in Mexico
Who's as strong as he can be
Eating nails and drinking Texaco
He is the type for me
There is one I California
More romantic far than you
When he sings ha cha cha chornia
I often think he'll do
But as for you sir, I'm afraid
You will never make the grade
For your no cowboy, your soft, and how, boy
I feel no mussel that's fit for tussle
I must refuse you, I cannot use you
'scuse me
I have met some other men who also have good qualities. One is very strong and another is very romantic. However, you are not up to my standards because you are not tough enough and lack the qualities I need in a partner.
No night life for the
Birds would bore youthe cows wont know you,
A horse would throw you,
You silly man you
To ask me, can you use me?
You wouldn't enjoy nightlife or the rural life, as you are not fit to work with animals. You are being silly to ask if I could work with you.
Though at love you may be a wizard, I'm wanting to know
Could you warm me up in a blizzard
Say, forty below
Your ties are freakish
Your knees are weakish
Your not a zender, you elbow bender
Though you can use me
I most certainly cant use you
Even though you may be good at love, I want to know if you could take care of me in the extreme cold. You dress strangely and are not very strong. Despite the fact that you could work with me, I cannot work with you because I need someone better.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GERSHWIN, GEORGE / GERSHWIN, IRA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@debraedwards4089
This is my favorite scene that she ever did. She is incredibly sassy and strong. It is playful as well, those two had something very special.
@kellycoleman715
Sassy and sexy. 😍
@MaskedMan66
I gather that's pretty much how she was in real life. Most people think of Dorothy the Small and Meek, but Judy Garland was a badass!
@eujessegeniaeasley6965
Judy is seriously not playing
@FallenAngel9979
This is the only film that Judy’s character isn’t chasing Mickey’s. Love these two.
@RailFoxMedia
When you realize Mickey had more game back in the day than most guys today lmao such class
@Marsha_Ann
Yesss! Hahaha
@jernelllogan581
So agreed. Today's generation should take notes.
@sevenwonders3615
Yes sirr
@acelibrarian
Class? He was a grade A masher in this scene. Blech.