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).
F.D.R. Jones
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yes siree, yes siree)
That's what I'm told
I hear tell there's a new arrival six days old
(Yes siree, yes siree)
Worth his weight in gold
Come right in and meet the son
(Yes siree, yes siree, yes siree)
Yes siree, yes siree, it's a big holiday everywhere
For the Jones family has a brand new heir
He's the joy heaven sent and they proudly present
Mister Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
When he grows up he never will stray
With a name like the one that he's got today
As he walks down the street folks will say
"Pleased to meet, Mister Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones"
What a smile and how he shows it
He'll keep happy all day long
What a name, I bet he knows it
With that handle how can he go wrong?
And the folks in the town all agree
He'll be famous, as famous as he can be
How can he be a dud or a stick in the mud
When he's Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones?
(Yes siree, yes siree, yes siree)
'Cause he's Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
The song "FDR Jones" was sung by legendary actress and singer Judy Garland in 1939 as a part of the musical comedy "Babes in Arms". The song celebrates the birth of a baby boy named Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones, a name that is likely to bring him success and happiness in life as the song implies. The opening lines of the song reveal that there is a rumor going around that there is a stranger in the Jones household - a six-day-old baby boy. The new arrival brings joy and pride to the Jones family, which is evident from the lyrics "worth his weight in gold."
The song suggests that the boy will grow up to be someone special, with a name as iconic as Franklin D. Roosevelt. The lyrics envision a future where the boy, now a man, walks down the street with confidence as people admire and respect him due to his name alone. The last few lines of the song imply that the boy will be celebrated as a successful and famous person, and it seems almost impossible that he could be anything less than extraordinary.
Overall, the song celebrates the birth of a baby boy and implies that his name is a ticket to his future success and happiness. The song also captures the spirit of optimism and hope that was pervasive in American culture at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear tell there's a stranger in the Jones household
Rumors has it that a newcomer has appeared in Jones' house
(Yes siree, yes siree)
That's what people are saying
That's what I'm told
I've been informed about this happening
I hear tell there's a new arrival six days old
The newcomer is barely six days old
(Yes siree, yes siree)
That's what people are saying
Worth his weight in gold
The newborn is a treasure
Come right in and meet the son
Let's go and see the baby
Christening's done, time to have some fun
The baby has been christened, let's celebrate
(Yes siree, yes siree, yes siree)
Things are going well
Yes siree, yes siree, it's a big holiday everywhere
It's a festive occasion for everyone
For the Jones family has a brand new heir
Jones family has a new successor
He's the joy heaven sent and they proudly present
The baby is a gift from heaven, and they are delighted to show him off
Mister Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
The baby has been named Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
When he grows up he never will stray
When he grows up, he will stick to his principles
With a name like the one that he's got today
He has a strong name
As he walks down the street folks will say
People will like him and admire him
"Pleased to meet, Mister Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones"
People will say, "It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Mister Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones"
What a smile and how he shows it
He has a lovely smile and he knows how to show it off
He'll keep happy all day long
He will be cheerful always
What a name, I bet he knows it
He has a strong name and he knows it
With that handle how can he go wrong?
With such a powerful name, he cannot go wrong
And the folks in the town all agree
Everybody agrees
He'll be famous, as famous as he can be
He will be well-known and popular
How can he be a dud or a stick in the mud
He will never be uninteresting or dull
When he's Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones?
Because he is Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones!
(Yes siree, yes siree, yes siree)
Things are going well
'Cause he's Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
Because he is named Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Whitman
She turned EVERY song she sung into GOLD!!
William Burke
Haven't heard this rendition in ages! And Judy was the ONLY one who could do it!
Santito Felipe
This song ignites a kind of happiness and nostalgia. Love from London 2021.
ziegfeldgirl77
one of my favorite songs from Judy on Decca.
jeh500
This is just great!!!
ThePrescriber
withor the blackface part, this song slaps 🔥🔥🔥
astrolabe1976
As an African American I approve of this message
Colores Boreales
@astrolabe1976 Beautiful!! Hi everyone from Perú!! I love Judy Garland
JustJudyGarland
Fr
akita roy
I own this on Decca 78rpm record I don't know if it's rare or not let me know guys