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).
Hello Dolly!
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so nice to have you back where, you belong
Ah you're looking swell Dolly, we can tell Dolly
You're still glowing, you're still growing, you're going strong
We feel the room swaying while the band's playing
One of your old favorite songs from way back when
So take her wrap, fellas, find her an empty lap, fellas
Dolly'll never go away again
Hello Dolly, I said hello Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where, you belong
Ah you're looking swell honey, and we can tell
You're glowing, you're growing, you're going strong
We feel the room swaying while the band's playing
One of your old favorite songs from way back when
So Golly gee fellas, find her a vacant knee, fellas
Dolly'll never go away again
We feel the room swaying and we hear that band a-playin'
One of your old favorite songs from way back when
So Golly gee fellas find that girl a knee fellas
Dolly never go away, Lord don't go away
Dolly never go away again
Yeah Dolly never go away, Dolly please don't go away
Dolly never go away again
Why don't you stick around with us Dolly
The song "Hello Dolly" is a musical number that celebrates the return of a beloved woman named Dolly. The lyrics make it clear that Dolly has returned to where she belongs, and that she is looking great; her glow, growth, and strength make her an inspiration to those around her. The music is lively, with the room swaying and the band playing some of Dolly's old favorites from "way back when." The men in the room are urged to find Dolly an empty lap or a vacant knee, indicating that she will be the center of attention for the night.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Dolly, I said hello Dolly
Greetings Dolly! I'm happy to see you again.
It's so nice to have you back where, you belong
It's wonderful to have you in your rightful place again.
Ah, you're looking swell Dolly, we can tell Dolly
You look great, Dolly! It's evident to us that you're doing well.
You're still glowing, you're still growing, you're going strong
You continue to shine, evolve, and thrive!
We feel the room swaying while the band's playing
The lively music is making the atmosphere around us vibrate.
One of your old favorite songs from way back when
The band is playing one of those classic tunes you cherish.
So take her wrap, fellas, find her an empty lap, fellas
Gentlemen, help Dolly take off her coat and find her a seat.
Dolly'll never go away again
Dolly won't be leaving anytime soon!
We feel the room swaying while the band's playing
The music still has us swaying.
One of your old favorite songs from way back when
The band is playing yet another beloved tune from your past.
So Golly gee fellas, find her a vacant knee, fellas
Hey guys, find an available seat for Dolly!
Dolly'll never go away, Lord don't go away
Please don't leave us, Dolly!
Dolly never go away again
We want you to stay with us, Dolly!
Yeah Dolly never go away, Dolly please don't go away
Stay with us forever, Dolly!
Why don't you stick around with us Dolly
How about you stay with us, Dolly?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULE STYNE, STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind