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).
I Can't Give You Anything but Love
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't give you a Thunderbird, or a penthouse with a view
Can't even buy a little present
I'm much to broke, I find
But there is one way I may save the day
And I sure hope you don't mind that
I can't give you anything but love, baby
Dream a while, scheme a while
You're sure to find happiness
And I guess all those things you've always pined for
Gee, I'd like to see you looking swell, baby
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby
'Til that lucky day, you know darn well, baby
I can't give you anything but love
Gee, I'd like to see you looking swell, baby
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby
'Til that lucky day, you know darn well, baby
I can't give you anything, I can't give you anything
I can't give you anything but love
In the song "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", Judy Garland reflects that it's her lover's birthday, but she can't afford to buy them a gift. She laments that she isn't able to purchase a luxurious Thunderbird car or a penthouse apartment with stunning views. In fact, she doesn't have enough money to buy even a small present. However, she realizes that love is something she has in abundance and can give to her beloved. She tells her lover that love is the only thing she can offer to them, but that it's worth more than all the riches in the world. She encourages her beau to dream and believe that they can find happiness together through the power of love.
The song is a reminder that love is the most precious gift that one can give to another. Material possessions may come and go, but love is enduring and can make life worth living. The phrase "I can't give you anything but love" has become a staple of American popular culture, with numerous artists performing their versions of the song over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that it's your birthday, I don't know what to do
I am not sure how to make your birthday special.
Can't give you a Thunderbird, or a penthouse with a view
I cannot give you luxurious gifts like a car or an expensive apartment.
Can't even buy a little present
I cannot even afford a small gift.
I'm much to broke, I find
I don't have enough money.
But there is one way I may save the day
However, there is one thing that I can give you.
And I sure hope you don't mind that
I am hoping that you will not be disappointed.
I can't give you anything but love, baby
The only thing I can give you is my love.
That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby
Love is the only thing I have in abundance.
Dream a while, scheme a while
Take your time to dream and make plans.
You're sure to find happiness
Happiness is within reach.
And I guess all those things you've always pined for
I believe you will attain all the things you have always wanted.
Gee, I'd like to see you looking swell, baby
I would love to see you happy and doing well.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby
I wish to give you expensive gifts like diamond bracelets.
'Til that lucky day, you know darn well, baby
Until the day that I can afford to give you the gifts you deserve.
I can't give you anything, I can't give you anything
I don't have anything to give you, I don't have anything.
I can't give you anything but love
All I can give you is love.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlos Fernandez
Now that it's your birthday
I don't know what to do
Can't give you a thunderbird
Or a penthouse with a view
Can't even buy a little present
I'm much too broke j find.
But there is one way, I can save the day
And i sure hope
You don't mind
I can't give you anything
But love
Baby
THats the only thing
I've plenty of
Baby
Dream awhile
Scheme awhile
You're sure to find
Happiness
And I guess
All those things you've always pined for
Gee
I'd like to see you
Looking swell
Baby
Diamond bracelets
Woolworth's dozen sale
Baby
Till that lucky day
You know darn well
Baby
I can't you
Anything but love
Mandeley100
Simply brilliant. Notice that there is no flashy camera work throughout the song. Just a single, unmoving shot, focusing on an exquisite performance. And how brave to leave the camera on Judy during the often-cut instrumental section in the middle of the song. Just about perfect.
Augustus Caesar
Judy Garland....... No one does it better....Such charm, presense, Grand style, rare talent & angelic Grace......indeed what a star.
TheTourmaline57
she literally breathed her craft. how fortunate we were that we had her here.Albeit a short visit but what a glorious time it was.
June S
Judy, you sweep us away still with your voice that flows so naturally and beautifully.
HandwhistlerBen
WOW! I was totally transfixed on every moment and facial expression that she did during that amazing vocal rendition as only she can pull off. She was and still is in a Class By Herself!
Saxon C
Not many singers have stage presence that can hold a single shot during a song. Judy has an undefinable chemistry where you become transfixed like she is singing only to you! This even comes through while watching videos of her. The greatest entertainer, EVER!
Rafe Surrey
My very favorite arrangement! I used to rush to my dorm room during the middle of the day and play the Carnegie Hall recording of this song. It gave me a much needed break and got me ready for the rest of the day. Love, love, love Judy. What a gift!
Bob Stiff
Garland had the greatest timing of anyone in the business. This was a perfect example.
sarah Turner
I was thinking Is it her timing so perfect
Saxon C
This woman is absolutely mesmerizing to watch her live this song! A true legend and The Greatest entertainer in history! ❤️