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).
Drummer Boy
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plays the drums with such a beat
You cannot control your feet
When you hear the drummer boy!
You can hear him take a break
Soon the whole street starts to shake
When you hear they hear the drummer boy!
Bing bang, ding dang
He's so nimble on the symbol
Bing bong, ding dong
When he plays 'em he just slays 'em!
All your troubles fly away
Every day's a happy day
Everything will be OK
When you hear the drummer boy play!
Gather round, all you chums
Watch this cat, spin those drums
Swing it Brother, beat that hyde!
Take that song and jive it right!
This is what the Doc perscribes,
For a case of jibs and jives
Drummer boy please give out on those vibes
Hear that, drummer boy play!
The lyrics of Judy Garland's song "Drummer Boy" describe a young boy in the neighborhood who plays the drums with such skill and rhythm that it becomes impossible to resist the urge to move and dance. The song highlights the infectious and powerful impact that the drummer boy's music has on everyone around him. From the moment you wake up in the morning and hear his drumming, to the way the whole street starts shaking when he plays, the drummer boy's energy and talent leave a lasting impression.
The lyrics also emphasize the joy and escape that the drummer boy's music brings. All your troubles "fly away" and every day becomes a happy day when you hear him play. The rhythmic beat of his drumming creates a sense of unity and celebration, bringing people together and making everything feel okay. The use of onomatopoeic phrases like "Bing bang, ding dang" and "Bing bong, ding dong" adds to the playful and energetic nature of the song, illustrating the impact of the drummer boy's performance.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a boy down on our street
We have a talented young drummer in our neighborhood
Plays the drums with such a beat
He plays the drums rhythmically and energetically
You cannot control your feet
His music is so infectious that it makes you want to dance
When you hear the drummer boy!
Once you listen to him playing, you'll be captivated
In the morning when you wake
From the moment you wake up in the morning
You can hear him take a break
Even during his rest time, you can still hear his talent
Soon the whole street starts to shake
His drumming is so powerful that it resonates throughout the entire street
When you hear they hear the drummer boy!
Everyone in the vicinity becomes aware of the drummer boy's music
Bing bang, ding dang
The sound effects created by his drumming
He's so nimble on the symbol
He showcases excellent dexterity and agility while playing the cymbals
Bing bong, ding dong
More sound effects produced by his drumming
When he plays 'em he just slays 'em!
His drumming skills are exceptional and leave a lasting impression
All your troubles fly away
His music has the power to make all your worries disappear
Every day's a happy day
Listening to him brings joy to each and every day
Everything will be OK
His presence and music assure that everything is going to be alright
When you hear the drummer boy play!
Once you experience his drumming, you'll understand its impact
Gather round, all you chums
Everyone, come together and pay attention
Watch this cat, spin those drums
Observe how skillfully he plays the drums
Swing it Brother, beat that hyde!
Keep up the momentum and rhythm, brother, play the drumskin intensely
Take that song and jive it right!
Give that song an exciting, lively interpretation
This is what the Doc perscribes
This is the recommended remedy
For a case of jibs and jives
To address any feelings of restlessness and excitement
Drummer boy please give out on those vibes
Drummer boy, please transmit those vibes through your drumming
Hear that, drummer boy play!
Listen attentively to the drummer boy's performance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROGER EDENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind