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).
Dirty Hands Dirty Face
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some folks have one, some folks have none
And I was alone for years, but fate was kind
And in the end, sent me a friend
Although he's not much higher than my knee
Still he's the greatest thing on earth to me
Dirty hands, dirty face
But his smile is as cute as can be
Making noise, breaking toys
He's always fighting the boys
But his eyes, they're a vision to see
And when my work is done
Coming home from the setting sun
To the gate he will start to run
And then I'll kiss my boy
Dirty hands, dirty face
Little devil, that's what they say
But to me he's an angel of joy
Dirty hands, dirty face
Leads the neighbours a chase
But his smile, his little smile, is as cute as can be
Making noise, breaking toys, Ha-ha-ha
He's always fighting the boys
But his eyes, they're his Mother's
And they're a vision to me
And when my work is done
Coming home, coming home to the setting sun
From the gate he'll start to run
And then, Ohhh! I'll kiss my boy
Dirty hands, dirty face
Little devil, that's what they say
But to me he's an angel of joy
The song Dirty Hands Dirty Face is a beautiful ode to the joy a young child can bring to their parent. The lyrics capture the innocent misbehavior of a little boy who makes noise, breaks toys and fights with other boys, making his neighbors complain, but still holds his mother's eyes which are a vision to her. The song celebrates the unbreakable bond of unconditional love between a mother and her son. The lyrics also imply that the child's love and affection are all that a parent needs to cherish their life.
Judy Garland's vocal delivery in this song is remarkably touching, skilfully conveying the depth of the love that the mother has for her child. The melancholy melody of the song is beautifully complemented by the simple, yet effective lyrics that capture the essence of the mother-son bond. It is said that Garland was emotionally invested in the song, feeling quite sentimental about the lyrics and perhaps drawing on her own childhood experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Wonderful pals are always hard to find
Having a true and loyal friend is not easy and is considered a rarity
Some folks have one, some folks have none
Some people are luckier than others in finding good friends
And I was alone for years, but fate was kind
The singer had been without any friends for a long time but finally found one through a fortunate twist of fate
And in the end, sent me a friend
The universe eventually brought a friend into the singer's life
Although he's not much higher than my knee
The friend the singer found is just a small child
Still he's the greatest thing on earth to me
Despite the child's small size, he means a great deal to the singer and is immensely cherished
Dirty hands, dirty face
The child is known for being messy and having a dirty appearance
Leads the neighbours a chase
The child is often seen running around and being mischievous, which causes the neighbors to chase after him in order to keep him out of trouble
But his smile is as cute as can be
Despite his misbehavior, the child's smile is adorable and endearing
Making noise, breaking toys
The child is loud and often breaks his toys while playing with them
He's always fighting the boys
The child is known for being combative and getting into fights with other boys
But his eyes, they're a vision to see
Despite his flaws, the child's eyes are captivating and beautiful
And when my work is done
When the singer is finished with her work for the day
Coming home from the setting sun
Returning home after the sun has gone down
To the gate he will start to run
The child will run towards the gate to greet the singer upon her arrival
And then I'll kiss my boy
The singer will show affection to the child she considers her son
Little devil, that's what they say
Although the singer thinks of the child as an angel of joy, others in the neighborhood refer to him as a mischievous devil
But to me he's an angel of joy
Despite his flaws, to the singer, the child is a source of pure happiness and delight
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Jolsen, Edgar Leslie, Grant Clarke, James Monaco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wildsmiley
This woman. She just takes me apart piece by piece and what is left is only an adoring heart.
Imagine what her son Joey feels watching, listening to this.
@dylanwashington2419
THE GREATEST. THE GREATEST. THE GREATEST❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@bate8526
One can't help but love Judy. When she sings certain songs it's as if we have a window to see into her feelings and emotions. Sometimes sadness. Sometimes happiness. In this song we feel the great love and pride she feels for her son. Some songs seemed to make her dark and morose. When we look into this window we can see into her heart felt emotions . She is exposed . She is vulnerable . She is magnificent! She is sans parallele!
@victoryak86
Judy Garland evokes the most tenderness and emotion of any Hollywood Star ever. No mater how hard that “machine” tried to shape and mold her, the real secret of Judy was that sweet love and vulnerability that shone through when she spoke and sang. Never more visible than in her love for her children which was so real and unconditional, as seen here in this song.
@russellcandy9850
My Lord did Judy love her children ❤️!!!
@richardmcgee4335
After three girls, we now have an adorable little grandson. He is to me a little ‘angel of joy’. This song and rendition brings
@richardmcgee4335
It all back to me. He is my joy and my reason to stay.
@johndoe6263
Astonishing performance from a unique personality.
@shaunreilly774
Possibly the greatest vocal instrument in popular singing of all time.
@geoffmartin947
Greatest entertainer of them all.