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).
Nothing But You
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 © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lorenzo Doesn't Exist
I take issue with this comment, so I'm leaving you some suggestions:
Swanee (1954)
A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow (1955)
Some of These Days (1955)
After You're Gone (1955)
It Never Was You (1960)
Ol' Man River (1963)
And some of these numbers are ones she's known for performing often. I know your comment is meant to be positive, but of all Judy's qualities, her range is what you have a problem with?
Edit: I hope someone out there sees the irony in taking such issue with me using the words "taking issue." I'm just disagreeing and even giving examples of why. I have as much a right to disagree with them as you do to disagree with me. Damn.
Nathalia Saavedra Soler
I weave with brightly colored strings
To keep my mind off other things;
So, ladies, let your fingers dance
And keep your hands out of romance
Lovely witches
Let the stitches
Keep your fingers under control
Cut the thread but leave
Your whole heart whole
Marry maids can sew and sleep;
Wives can only sew and weep!
Falling in love with love is falling for make believe
Falling in love with love is playing the fool;
Caring too much is such a juvenile fancy
Learning to trust is just for children in school
I fell in love with love one night when the moon was full
I was unwise with eyes unable to see
I fell in love with love, with love everlasting
But love fell out with me
Falling in love with love is falling for make believe
Falling in love with love is playing the fool;
Caring too much is such a juvenile fancy
Learning to trust is just for children in school
[ADRIANA]
I fell in love with love one night when the moon was full
I was unwise with eyes unable to see
I fell in love with love, with love everlasting
But love fell out with me
KokoPuffs52
One of my all time favorite of her recordings. Shows a range that she didn't take advantage of often.
Lorenzo Doesn't Exist
I take issue with this comment, so I'm leaving you some suggestions:
Swanee (1954)
A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow (1955)
Some of These Days (1955)
After You're Gone (1955)
It Never Was You (1960)
Ol' Man River (1963)
And some of these numbers are ones she's known for performing often. I know your comment is meant to be positive, but of all Judy's qualities, her range is what you have a problem with?
Edit: I hope someone out there sees the irony in taking such issue with me using the words "taking issue." I'm just disagreeing and even giving examples of why. I have as much a right to disagree with them as you do to disagree with me. Damn.
Harry Fishback
@Lorenzo Doesn't Exist LMAO was Judy your Mom. You take issue with dudes statement ????? First off he's complimenting her range and either way its s public forum people canvsay what they want get a life....
LaDivinaLover
@Lorenzo Doesn't Exist they didn’t say they had a “problem” with ANYTHING. Stop projecting, snob.
Lorenzo Doesn't Exist
@LaDivinaLover It's a range she doesn't show often? I'm saying I disagree. I still do. Don't you think that your reaction just now to something I said a year ago is snobby and you're projecting onto me?
Kyle Steele
In love with this. I wish she did covers of all of the musicals. Such a startling talent! ❤
Christinasvenska
I love singing this song, but sing it in a higher key. Love hearing Judy sing this, and love that she sings the verse at the beginning!
m a
I greatly prefer this wonderful song in the alto range she's using. And with just the piano.
Gilberto Tongco
I was blessed to watch Miss Judy Garland movies with my father as a young boy.
I am now 82.
globalman
Double Wow!!!!! What a treat... always loved this song and fell upon this not happy with the other possibilities on offer here. Thank you a million. Just Judy and a studio piano. The voice had its imperfections but she gives 200% has she always did. Wonderful Judy Garland...... never was before and never will be again one like her.