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).
It's a Good Day
Judy Garland Lyrics
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and it's a good day for moving alone;
Yes, it's a good day, how could anything go wrong,
A good day from morning' till night
Yes, it's a good day for shining your shoes,
and it's a good day for losing the blues;
Everything go gain and nothing' to lose,
I said to the Sun, "Good morning sun
Rise and shine today"
You know you've gotta get going
If you're gonna make a showin'
And you know you've got the right of way.
'Cause it's a good day for paying your bills;
And it's a good day for curing your ills,
So take a deep breath and throw away your pills;
'Cause it's a good day from morning' till night.
Judy Garland's It's a Good Day is a cheerful and uplifting song that encourages listeners to feel positive and hopeful about the day ahead. The song's message is that today is a good day and everything will be alright. Garland reinforces the idea that the day is good by using different examples such as singing a song, moving alone, shining shoes, and paying bills to highlight the positive aspects of the day. She also suggests that there is nothing to lose but everything to gain by enjoying and taking advantage of today.
The song begins with a playful trumpet and percussion that sets the cheerful tone of the music. Garland's vocals are lively, optimistic, and conveys the message of the song. The lyrics are simple and easy to understand with a catchy and repetitive chorus. It's a Good Day is a song that encourages the listener to have a positive mindset and make the most of the day. Garland's use of metaphors such as the sun rising and shining represent the start of a new beginning, a fresh start, and a positive outlook.
Overall, It's a Good Day is a song that encourages the listener to embrace positivity, live life to the fullest, and find hope and joy in every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, it's a good day for singing a song,
Today is a great day to express yourself through music and let your voice be heard.
and it's a good day for moving alone;
Today is a great day for independence and taking the initiative to move forward by yourself.
Yes, it's a good day, how could anything go wrong,
With such a positive attitude and outlook, it seems impossible for anything to derail your day.
A good day from morning' till night
This song is an ode to embracing positivity all day long from sun up until sundown.
Yes, it's a good day for shining your shoes,
Take pride in your appearance and give your shoes a good shine to start the day off right.
and it's a good day for losing the blues;
Put aside any negative feelings and embrace the happiness and positivity that today brings.
Everything go gain and nothing' to lose,
When you approach the day with a positive attitude, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
'Cause it's a good day from morning' till night
This line reiterates the idea that today is a great day and should be celebrated from sunrise until sunset.
I said to the Sun, "Good morning sun
Addressing the sun signifies the start of a new day and beginning the day off right.
Rise and shine today"
Encouraging the sun to rise and shine represents the optimism and positivity that the day will bring.
You know you've gotta get going
Emphasizing the importance of taking action and making the most of the day ahead.
If you're gonna make a showin'
Making a good impression on the day and taking advantage of every opportunity presented to you.
And you know you've got the right of way.
Feeling confident and assured in yourself and your actions for the day ahead.
'Cause it's a good day for paying your bills;
Even mundane tasks like paying bills can be seen in a positive light on a good day.
And it's a good day for curing your ills,
Today is a great day for taking care of yourself and overcoming any physical or emotional struggles.
So take a deep breath and throw away your pills;
Encouraging a holistic approach to healing and taking a moment to relax and breathe deeply to promote well-being.
'Cause it's a good day from morning' till night.
The refrain reinforces the idea that this is a day to be celebrated from start to finish and embraced with positivity and enthusiasm.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID M. BARBOUR, PEGGY LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind