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).
Hey Look Me Over
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fresh out of clover, mortgage up to here
Don't pass the plate folks, don't pass the cup
I figure whenever you're down and out, the only way is up
And I'll be up like a rosebud high on the vine
Don't thumb your nose, but take a tip from mine
I'm a little bit short of the elbow room, so let me get me some
And look out world, here I come
Nobody in the world was ever without a prayer
How can you win the world if nobody knows you're there?
Kid, when you need the crowd, the tickets are hard to sell
Still, you can lead the crowd if you can get up and yell
Hey look me over, lend me an ear
Fresh out of clover, mortgage up to here
I'm a little bit short of the elbow room, so let me get me some
And look out world, here me shout world
And look out world, here I come
The song "Hey Look Me Over" by Judy Garland is an upbeat and optimistic song that encourages listeners to pay attention to the singer and take a chance on her. The song starts with the singer asking the listener to lend her an ear and introduces her situation of being fresh out of clover but with a mortgage piled up so high, indicating that she has some financial struggles. However, instead of asking for charity or sympathy, she asks the listener not to pass the plate or cup and says she believes that whenever someone is down and out, the only way is up. She sees herself as a rosebud high on the vine and encourages the listener to take a tip from hers, indicating her confidence and determination to succeed. The singer then admits she is short of elbow room but promises to get herself some and declares that she is going to make it in the world.
The song continues with the singer stressing that anyone can win the world if they are noticed and encourages the listener to get up and yell to lead the crowd. The song ends with the repeated statement of "Hey look me over, lend me an ear," and "Look out world, here I come," which is an announcement of the singer's self-confidence and determination to make it big. Overall, the lyrics of the song are empowering and optimistic, encouraging listeners to take chances and aim for the top.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey look me over, lend me an ear
Give me your attention and hear what I have to say.
Fresh out of clover, mortgage up to here
I just recently experienced good luck, but now I'm in debt.
Don't pass the plate folks, don't pass the cup
I don't need any handouts or charity.
I figure whenever you're down and out, the only way is up
When you're at your lowest point, the only direction to go is up.
And I'll be up like a rosebud high on the vine
I will rise up and flourish just like a rosebud on a tall vine.
Don't thumb your nose, but take a tip from mine
Don't be disrespectful, but listen and learn from me.
I'm a little bit short of the elbow room, so let me get me some
I need more space and freedom to achieve my goals and succeed.
And look out world, here I come
Watch out world, because I am about to make my mark and achieve great things.
Nobody in the world was ever without a prayer
Everyone needs hope and faith in something or someone.
How can you win the world if nobody knows you're there?
In order to succeed, you need to make yourself known and visible to others.
Kid, when you need the crowd, the tickets are hard to sell
It's difficult to gain a following when you're unknown or new, and people are hesitant to invest in you.
Still, you can lead the crowd if you can get up and yell
If you can be bold and assertive, you can inspire and guide others.
And look out world, here me shout world
Get ready, world, because I am about to raise my voice and make my presence known.
And look out world, here I come
I am ready to take on the world and achieve my dreams.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CAROLYN LEIGH, CY COLEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dorothysboy1
The brilliance of Garland was unparalleled. That voice had a way of evoking such emotion from an audience. She was truly one of the greatest live entertainers of the 20th century. No other artist even comes close. I still get goose bumps when I listen to Carnegie Hall. I truly think she had a Force field that could only truly be felt live., 🌈❤️
Saxon C
She sails out on stage and the audience is about to be entertained like never before! 😊❤️
glenconmc
Fantastic arrangement wonderfully sung.
Russell Candy
Thank you Patrick, I love the way Judy does this song!!
Jordan
Nice!