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).
Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Forget your troubles
Barbra
Happy days
Judy
Come on get happy
Barbra
Are here again
Judy
You better chase all your cares away
Barbra
The skies above are clear again
Judy
Shout Hallelujah
Barbra
So let's sing a song
Judy
Come on get happy
Barbra
Of cheer again
Judy
Get ready for the Judgment Day
Barbra
Happy days are here again
Judy
The sun is shining
Barbra
All together
Judy
Come on get happy
Barbra
Shout it now
Judy
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
Barbra
There's no one who can doubt it now
Judy
Shout Hallelujah
Barbra
So let's tell the world
Judy
And just get happy
Barbra
About it now
Judy
We're going to the Promised Land
Barbra
Happy days are here again
Judy
We're heading cross a river
Soon your cares will all be gone
Barbra
There'll be no more from now on
Both
From now on!
Judy
Forget your troubles
Barbra
Happy days
Judy
And just get happy
Barbra
Are here again
Judy
You better chase all your blues away
Barbra
The skies above are clear again
Judy
Shout Hallelujah
Barbra
So let's sing a song
Judy
And just get happy
Barbra
Of cheer again
Happy times
Judy
Happy times
Barbra
Happy nights
Judy
Happy nights
Both
Happy days are here again...
The song "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" is a mashup of two popular American tunes from the 1930s. The song starts with Judy Garland singing "Forget your troubles," unburdening oneself of all their worries and stepping into a carefree world. It's a call to embrace happiness and chase away all the sadness, an epitome of a joyous life. Then Barbra Streisand chips in, chanting "Happy days are here again," and gives you an assurance that good times have come around once more.
Throughout the song, the singers assure you that there is no reason to be sad anymore, as the skies are clear, and the sun is shining. They sing exultantly of a judgment day that's on the horizon, and they're going to the Promised Land, where all their troubles will go away. It's a message of hope and a promise that things will only get better from there.
The song doesn't have a discernable storyline, but it's clear that it's about living in the moments of happiness and being grateful for them. It's one of those songs that fill your heart with joy and uplift your mood.
Line by Line Meaning
Forget your troubles
Don't dwell on your problems
Happy days
Good times are ahead
Come on get happy
Embrace joy and positivity
Are here again
The good times have returned
You better chase all your cares away
Leave your worries behind
The skies above are clear again
The future looks bright
Shout Hallelujah
Express your elation
So let's sing a song
Celebrate with music
Of cheer again
In honor of this happy time
Get ready for the Judgment Day
Prepare for a fresh start
We're heading cross a river
A journey towards something new
Soon your cares will all be gone
Your troubles will fade away
There'll be no more from now on
A future free from difficulties
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
An opportunity for spiritual renewal
There's no one who can doubt it now
The good times are undeniably here
So let's tell the world
Share your joy with others
And just get happy
Let happiness fill your heart
We're going to the Promised Land
A place of new beginnings
The sun is shining
Bright days ahead
All together
In unity and harmony
Shout it now
Express your happiness loudly
Happy times
Positive experiences
Happy nights
Joyful evenings
Happy days are here again
A time of happiness and celebration
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jack Yellen, Milton Ager
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lapislazuli7876
Judy was such a loving person. The way she grabs Barbra’s arm is so motherly and beautiful. She had a huge heart and the charisma and warmth always shone out of her.
@francesmignano
Yes , I agree I love her so much . May she rest in Peace.She is my idol and the heart of my Soul .The greatest ❤️🙏🏼❤️
@bethannada6486
Do you realize how hard it is to sing a song next to someone else singing a different song? Truly talented ladies! Thanks I really enjoyed this classic performance!😊
@TheReturnOfStephan1
As a singer, I can tell you that it's actually not very difficult at all, especially when you're not really singing on top of each other and you're harmonizing with your partner.
@ameliatownsend5966
@@TheReturnOfStephan1So true, you just got to know what your doingi
@MR-fx9gg
No auto tune, no back up track, singing live - I am in such awe!
@vintagebroadcastingsystem8028
No auto-tune, no pyrotechnics, no skimpy outfits. Just two timeless performers of extraordinary skill and talent. Sublime.
@elainelosee7974
Yes. Appreciate the true talented women, marvelous!!!
You, are wise to do something like communicating to the fans. Thanks 😊 🙏 😊 🙏 for sharing ❤ 😀 😊
@cfconant
this is when singers actually sang.
@michaelcastillo3231
Well if this isn’t the most adorable, tragic, beautiful thing I’ve witnessed in awhile. God bless their wonderful hearts. There is just something they can’t take away from us and this duet is one of them.