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).
Little Girl Blue
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What else, what else is there to do ?
Oh and I know how you feel,
I know you feel that you're through.
Oh wah wah ah sit there, hmm, count,
Ah, count your little fingers,
My unhappy oh little girl, little girl blue, yeah.
Oh, feel 'em falling down, oh honey all around you.
Honey don't you know it's time,
I feel it's time,
Somebody told you 'cause you got to know
That all you ever gonna have to count on
Or gonna wanna lean on
It's gonna feel just like those raindrops do
When they're falling down, honey, all around you.
Oh, I know you're unhappy.
Oh sit there, ah go on, go on
And count your fingers.
I don't know what else, what else
Honey have you got to do.
And I know how you feel,
And I know you ain't got no reason to go on
And I know you feel that you must be through.
Oh honey, go on and sit right back down,
I want you to count, oh count your fingers,
Ah my unhappy, my unlucky
And my little, oh, girl blue.
I know you're unhappy,
Ooh ah, honey I know,
Baby I know just how you feel.
The lyrics of "Little Girl Blue" by Judy Garland paint a picture of a young girl who is feeling lost, helpless, and unhappy. We see her sitting alone somewhere, perhaps in her bedroom or in a public place, counting her fingers with nothing else to do. The words suggest that she feels as if she is at the end of her rope and has nothing to live for. The singer, who seems to be speaking directly to the girl, acknowledges her pain and tries to offer some comfort, but ultimately she cannot do anything to help her.
The second half of the song draws a parallel between the rain falling around the girl and the feelings of loneliness and despair that she is experiencing. The singer tells her that she must face the fact that she can only rely on herself, as all the support she needs will feel just like those raindrops. The song ends with the singer repeating the idea that she understands the girl's feelings, and urging her to sit down and count her fingers once again.
Overall, the song portrays a deep sense of sadness and loneliness that is often associated with youth and adolescence. It suggests that the singer has empathy for the girl, but is powerless to change her situation. The message is a somber one, but it also conveys a sense of hope, as if to say that even when life is at its darkest, there are still small things that we can hold onto.
Line by Line Meaning
Sit there, hmm, count your fingers.
Take a moment to be still and reflect on what's important to you.
What else, what else is there to do ?
There may not be anything else to do but be present in the moment.
Oh and I know how you feel,
I understand your pain and emotions.
I know you feel that you're through.
You may feel like giving up, but there is still hope.
Oh wah wah ah sit there, hmm, count,
It's okay to cry and let out your emotions.
Ah, count your little fingers,
Take stock of what you have and appreciate the small things in life.
My unhappy oh little girl, little girl blue, yeah.
You may feel lost and sad, but you are not alone.
Oh sit there, oh count those raindrops
Look at the beauty in the world and find solace in it.
Oh, feel 'em falling down, oh honey all around you.
The world can be a soothing place if we let it be.
Honey don't you know it's time,
It's time to move on and find joy in life again.
I feel it's time,
I sense that you are ready to heal and move forward.
Somebody told you 'cause you got to know
Sometimes we need others to remind us of our strength and resilience.
That all you ever gonna have to count on
Ultimately, we only have ourselves to rely on.
Or gonna wanna lean on
It's natural to seek support from others during tough times.
It's gonna feel just like those raindrops do
Life can be both harsh and gentle, and we must learn to embrace both.
When they're falling down, honey, all around you.
Surround yourself with beauty and positivity.
Oh, I know you're unhappy.
I can see the pain and sorrow in your eyes.
Oh sit there, ah go on, go on
Stay in the moment and allow yourself to feel.
And count your fingers.
Be present and mindful.
I don't know what else, what else
There may not be a definitive solution to your problems.
Honey have you got to do.
In the meantime, find strength in the small things.
And I know how you feel,
I can empathize with your pain.
And I know you ain't got no reason to go on
You may feel hopeless, but there are reasons to keep going.
And I know you feel that you must be through.
You may feel like giving up, but you are stronger than you know.
Oh honey, go on and sit right back down,
Take your time and don't rush the healing process.
I want you to count, oh count your fingers,
Be present in the moment and appreciate what you have.
Ah my unhappy, my unlucky
Despite your pain, you are still loved and valued.
And my little, oh, girl blue.
I know you are hurting, but you will find your way through the pain.
I know you're unhappy,
I can see the sadness in your eyes.
Ooh ah, honey I know,
I understand and sympathize with your pain.
Baby I know just how you feel.
I have been through similar pain and know that it will get better.
Contributed by Lillian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.