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).
If I Only Had the Nerve
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve
But I could change my habits
Never more be scared of rabbits
If I only had the nerve
I'm just an awful dandy-lion
A fate I don't deserve
But I could show my prowess
Be a lion, not a mouse
If I only had the nerve
Oh I'd be in my stride
A king down to the core
Oh I roar the way I never roared before
And then I'd rrwuff
And roar some more
I would show the dinosaurus
Who's king around the forus
A king they's better serve
And with my regal beezer
I could be another ceaser
If I only had the nerve
I'd be brave as a blizzard
I'd be gentle as a lizard
I'd be clever as a gizzard
If the Wizard is a Wizard who will serve?
Then I'm sure to get a brain
A heart, a home, the nerve
We're off to see the wizard the wonderful wizard of Oz
We hear that he is a whiz of a wiz
If ever a wiz was there
If ever, oh ever a wiz there was
The Wizard of Oz is one because, because, because, because, because, because
Of the wonderful things he does
We're off to see the wizard the wonderful wizard of Oz
Judy Garland's classic song "If I Only Had the Nerve" from The Wizard of Oz is an uplifting tune about overcoming fear and self-doubt. It's a heartfelt admission from Garland's character, the Cowardly Lion, that he wishes to be more courageous and powerful. However, despite being a lion, he feels like a weakling and a dandy-lion who doesn't deserve to be a king. But if he had the nerve, he could demonstrate his prowess and rule the land with a regal beezer, confident like a blizzard, gentle like a lizard, and clever like a gizzard. The song conveys the idea that bravery is not just a matter of physical strength, but also a willingness to face one's fears and rise up to the occasion.
The lyrics of "If I Only Had the Nerve" convey an inner struggle many people may relate to. Everyone has fears and doubts, but few express them so openly and poetically. The song shows that even the fiercest creatures can have moments of vulnerability and that there's nothing wrong with asking for help or guidance. In the context of The Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion is on a quest to find his courage, alongside other characters seeking a brain, a heart, and a way back home. The song is a pivotal moment in his journey, as he realizes that all he needs is the nerve to be the lion he was born to be. The upbeat melody, catchy chorus, and playful puns make the song a fan favorite and a timeless classic that still resonates today.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeh, it's sad, believe me, Missy
Yes, it's quite unfortunate to be born as a male with effeminate traits, Miss.
When you're born to be a sissy
Being assigned a male gender at birth while possessing typically feminine personality traits can be quite challenging.
Without the vim and verve
This means that without the energetic spirit and enthusiasm required to overcome gender stereotypes and expectations, it can be difficult.
But I could change my habits
However, I could adapt my behavior
Never more be scared of rabbits
I wouldn't be scared of small things like rabbits.
If I only had the nerve
If I had the courage
I'm afraid there's no denying
Unfortunately, it's true that I lack bravery.
I'm just an awful dandy-lion
I'm like a dandelion that looks pretty but is weak and flimsy.
A fate I don't deserve
I don't think I should have to live this way.
But I could show my prowess
However, I could demonstrate my ability to do great things.
Be a lion, not a mouse
I could become a brave, powerful lion instead of a timid mouse.
Oh I'd be in my stride
I would walk and act confidently.
A king down to the core
I would embody royalty and leadership.
Oh I roar the way I never roared before
I would speak out fearlessly.
And then I'd rrwuff
I would make a loud growling noise.
And roar some more
And continue to growl fiercely.
I would show the dinosaurus
I would prove to the old-fashioned, conservative people
Who's king around the forus
That I am the one in charge.
A king they's better serve
They should listen to me and follow my leadership.
And with my regal beezer
With my majestic nose
I could be another ceaser
I could be like Julius Caesar, a great emperor.
If I only had the nerve
If only I were brave enough.
I'd be brave as a blizzard
I'd be as fierce and unrelenting as a winter storm.
I'd be gentle as a lizard
I would still have the ability to be calm and gentle.
I'd be clever as a gizzard
I would be intelligent and wise beyond my years.
If the Wizard is a Wizard who will serve?
If the Wizard is truly a powerful and helpful leader, will he be willing to help me?
Then I'm sure to get a brain
If I can achieve courage and receive guidance from the Wizard, I'm likely to also receive intelligence.
A heart, a home, the nerve
and also love, a sense of belonging, and bravery.
We're off to see the wizard the wonderful wizard of Oz
We're going to visit the Wizard of Oz.
We hear that he is a whiz of a wiz
We've heard that he's incredibly skilled and talented.
If ever a wiz was there
If there ever was a truly remarkable and gifted wizard,
If ever, oh ever a wiz there was
It's the Wizard of Oz!
The Wizard of Oz is one because, because, because, because, because, because
He is the Wizard of Oz because of all the wondrous things he's accomplished.
Of the wonderful things he does
He's capable of doing amazing things.
We're off to see the wizard the wonderful wizard of Oz
We're going to see him for ourselves.
Writer(s): Arlen Harburg
Contributed by Lauren N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cobra Corporal
Lyrics
Yeh, it's sad, believe me, Missy, When you're born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve
But I could show my prowess, be a lion not a mou-ess
If I only had the nerve
I'm afraid there's no denyin' I'm just a dandelion
A fate I don't deserve
I'd be brave as a blizzard
I'd be gentle as a lizard
I'd be clever as a gizzard
If the Wizard is a Wizard who will serve
Then I'm sure to get a brain, a heart, a home, the nerve!
Oh! We're off to see the Wizard
The wonderful Wizard of Oz
We hear he is a whiz of a wiz
If ever a wiz there was
If ever, oh, ever a wiz there was
The Wizard of Oz is one because
Because, because, because, because, because
Because of the wonderful things he does
We're off to see the Wizard
The wonderful Wizard of Oz
NJ CardFan
I always loved the moral of the story in this and that's when you think you lack something, you have that something in spades. The Scarecrow, who didn't have a brain, was the cleverest. The Tin Man, with no heart, was the most sentimental. And the Lion who was a coward was the bravest.
Ghost Pdz
Hmmmmm interesting analysis.....could it be that? Or do you think its possible that when we analyze ourselves that MOST rational people see their shortcomings or things about themselves that they would like to change, and subconsciously work to develope them, unknowingly evolving, despite that nay saying phantom strangers best advice. Idk
WillyMcBiggs
I see it as the scarecrow being a symbol of thought, the tin man being a symbol of emotion and the lion being a symbol of action. When all of these align and truly work in unison the human can accomplish whatever they want, especially when working together.
UnevenGamers
0:40 the way he says "the nerve" kills me everytime.
punprincess321
Same
Peter Sheppard
I heard it noine times! #BabaBooey
Tammie Adler
๐
Tammie Adler
ROFLMAO
Queen of Mediocrity ๐๐
And his stupid face makes it even funnier xD
Cobra Corporal
Lyrics
Yeh, it's sad, believe me, Missy, When you're born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve
But I could show my prowess, be a lion not a mou-ess
If I only had the nerve
I'm afraid there's no denyin' I'm just a dandelion
A fate I don't deserve
I'd be brave as a blizzard
I'd be gentle as a lizard
I'd be clever as a gizzard
If the Wizard is a Wizard who will serve
Then I'm sure to get a brain, a heart, a home, the nerve!
Oh! We're off to see the Wizard
The wonderful Wizard of Oz
We hear he is a whiz of a wiz
If ever a wiz there was
If ever, oh, ever a wiz there was
The Wizard of Oz is one because
Because, because, because, because, because
Because of the wonderful things he does
We're off to see the Wizard
The wonderful Wizard of Oz