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).
Liza
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Skies are gray
But when you smile at me
All the clouds will roll away
Liza, Liza
Don't delay
Come keep me company
See the honey moon is shinin' down
We should make a date
With Parson Brown
Oh, my Liza
My Liza
Name the day
Cause you belong to me
And the clouds have rolled away
In the song Liza by Judy Garland, the lyrics are a declaration of love from one person to Liza. The opening lines state that the skies are gray, which symbolizes a sense of sadness or depression in life. However, when Liza smiles, it brings joy and happiness that lifts the singer's mood. This line emphasizes the power of positivity and how a simple gesture of kindness can change someone's day.
The next stanza emphasizes the sense of urgency the singer feels to be with Liza. The singer asks Liza not to delay, illustrating that he longs for her company. The singer hopes that with Liza's presence, the clouds will "roll away," indicating that he feels happier and more optimistic when she's around.
The final verse mentions the "honey moon" shining down, which suggests that the night is perfect for romance. The singer suggests setting a date with Parson Brown, which can be interpreted that this is a marriage proposal. Finally, the singer insists that Liza belongs to him and asks her to name the day, indicating his desire to commit and spend his life with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Liza, Liza
Direct address to Liza, repeated for emphasis
Skies are gray
The weather is gloomy and depressing
But when you smile at me
Liza has the power to brighten up the singer's day with her smile
All the clouds will roll away
Liza's smile has the ability to make all bad feelings and thoughts go away
Liza, Liza
Continued direct address to Liza with same emphasis
Don't delay
The singer is eager for Liza's company and wants her to come quickly
Come keep me company
The singer desires Liza's presence to keep them company
And the clouds will roll away
Liza's company will make everything seem better
See the honey moon is shinin' down
The artist points out the beautiful moonlight
We should make a date
The artist suggests that they plan a romantic outing together
With Parson Brown
Parson Brown was a character who conducted weddings in popular culture at the time, so the singer is implying that they should get married
Oh, my Liza
Here, the artist uses affectionate language to address Liza directly
My Liza
Ownership used in a sweet way to show the singer's love for Liza
Name the day
The singer requests that Liza choose a wedding date
Cause you belong to me
The singer asserts their love for Liza and implies that they are meant to be together
And the clouds have rolled away
The artist's love for Liza has removed all their doubts and worries, making them happy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, GUS KAHN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Saxon C
It's so touching how pensive she looks while gazing on her daughter's pictures. She knew how to deliver a song!
bluesugar58
This is beautiful, brought tears to my eyes. I know Liza must miss her mom but she's lucky to have wonderful memories like this.
59jlopez70
She may had some demons inside but she was an amazing loving and caring mother.
Sasha Daniel
She loved them more than she loved herself, she'd do anything for her kids and it definitely showed, she sacrificed so much so that her kids had more than her and it definitely showed. Liza was there with her from beginning to end
59jlopez70
@Lorenzo Doesn't Exist I read her history and I saw documentaries and she did had demons like any normal person do but her situation was heavy pills and alcohol and I don’t blame her for it she was used so much and she was mentally and emotionally abused sadly and cases like that they become abusive towards others including kids but thank God and despite out of everything that happened to her she became a wonderful loving mother and a loving human being that’s why she is still iconic and a legend. People may say she was weak but in reality she was way stronger than she gave herself credit for, I mean to go through all that and still be loving and caring is very brave and very strong thing to do because personally me if I went through that myself I probably be a abusive and hateful instead of loving and caring.
Lorenzo Doesn't Exist
@59jlopez70 I don't know why I wrote that back then. Maybe I misread your comment. I actually agree with you. I'll delete my reply.
princessUSA2
She loved her baby=) And out of all 3 kids, I feel like Liza reminds me the most of Judy. Her voice and her look.
Robert Jennings
From the 2:30 point to the end, I've never heard Judy sing better. Beautiful orchestration. Exciting!
jeffrey murphy
"I take one look at you
that's all I have to do
And now my world is fine "
It gives me chills every time I watch it.
Judy is an amazing singer and she's so real and organic.
A true "method" actor if there ever was one.
There's no one with her raw talent and artesedre.
Saxon C
And this folks, is how it's done! The Legend is untouchable!