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).
Don't Rain On My Parade
Judy Garland Lyrics
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I've simply got to
If someone takes a spill
It's me and not you
Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade
Don't tell me not to leave
Just sit and putter
Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade
I'll march my band out
I'll beat my drum
And if I'm fanned out
Your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir
I guess I didn't make it
But whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection
A freckle on the nose of life's complexion
A Cinderella or a shine apple of an eye
I gotta fly once
I gotta try once
Only can die once, right, sir?
Ooh, life is juicy
Juicy and you see
I gotta have my bite, sir
Get ready for me love
'Cause I'm a "comer"
I simply gotta march
My heart's a drummer
Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade
Yes, sir
No, sir
I'm gonna live and live now
Get what I want, I know how
All that the law will allow
One roll for the whole shebang
One throw that bell will go clang
Though I'm alone I'm a gang
Eye on the target and wham
One shot, one gun shot and bam
Hey, world, here I am
Get ready for me life, 'cause I'm a "comer"
I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer
Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade!
In "Don't Rain On My Parade," Judy Garland expresses her defiance against anyone who tries to bring her down. She declares that she is determined to take risks and chase after her dreams, no matter the cost, even if she fails. She encourages herself to stay optimistic and persistent, to confidently assert herself and face whatever's coming her way. The song is an anthem of hope, courage, and resilience, inspiring listeners to take control of their own lives and keep pushing forward.
The lyrics are a powerful statement of self-empowerment, which is a message that has resonated with generations of fans since the song's original release. The melody itself is a catchy and upbeat tune that builds from a quiet, intimate beginning to a powerful, soaring climax. The song's lyrics and melody have become iconic in pop culture and have been covered by numerous artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't tell me not to fly
Don't discourage me from taking risks
I've simply got to
I have to try
If someone takes a spill
If I fail
It's me and not you
It's my responsibility, not yours
Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade
Don't bring negativity into my dreams
Don't tell me not to leave
Don't tell me to stay in my comfort zone
Just sit and putter
Just sit around wasting time
Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter
Life is amazing and full of opportunities
Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade
You have no right to bring me down
I'll march my band out
I'll pursue my dreams with confidence
I'll beat my drum
I'll be myself and follow my own rhythm
And if I'm fanned out
And if I fail and fall apart
Your turn at bat, sir
Others can try and do better
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir
At least I tried and was true to myself
I guess I didn't make it
I might not have succeeded, but I tried
But whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection
Regardless of how successful or perfect I am
A freckle on the nose of life's complexion
Just a small part of this bigger picture
A Cinderella or a shine apple of an eye
Regardless of my status, I have ambition
I gotta fly once
I have to take risks and try once
I gotta try once
Failure is inevitable, but so is trying
Only can die once, right, sir?
I only have one chance at life
Ooh, life is juicy
Life is full of opportunities
Juicy and you see
Make the most of every opportunity
I gotta have my bite, sir
I have to try and make things happen
Get ready for me love
Be prepared for my ambition
'Cause I'm a "comer"
I'm going to make things happen
My heart's a drummer
I follow my own rhythm and passion
Yes, sir
I'm confident and ready
No, sir
I won't back down
I'm gonna live and live now
I'm going to live my life to the fullest in the present
Get what I want, I know how
I have the skills and determination to achieve my goals
All that the law will allow
I will do everything within the rules and regulations
One roll for the whole shebang
One opportunity to make big things happen
One throw that bell will go clang
One chance to make a lasting impact
Though I'm alone I'm a gang
I'm independent, but have my own support system
Eye on the target and wham
My focus is on achieving success
One shot, one gun shot and bam
One moment to make a big impact
Hey, world, here I am
I'm ready to take on the world
Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade!
No one can bring me down or stop me from achieving my goals
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB MERRILL, JULE STYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind