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).
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had nothing but shadows
Then one morning you passed
And I brightened at last
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With the sun in my heart
All my worry blew away
When you taught me how to say
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This Rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
Grab your street
In Judy Garland's song "On the Sunny Side of the Street," she sings about how her life was once filled with shadows and worry, until one morning when she encountered someone who brought brightness to her life. This person taught her to leave her worries behind and embrace the sunny side of the street. Garland sings about how life can be sweet and full of gold dust at her feet, even if she never has a cent. She no longer walks in the shade or parades her blues, because she is not afraid anymore. Her optimism and positivity are infectious as she encourages others to direct their feet to the sunny side of the street.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked with no one and talked with no one
I used to be alone and isolated without anyone to speak to
And I had nothing but shadows
I was surrounded by darkness and negativity with nothing to brighten up my life
Then one morning you passed
You came into my life unexpectedly
And I brightened at last
You brought light and joy into my life
Now I greet the day and complete the day
You've given me a sense of purpose and motivation to start and finish each day
With the sun in my heart
I carry your love and positivity with me wherever I go
All my worry blew away
You've helped me let go of my fears and worries
When you taught me how to say
You've shown me how to find the bright side of things and stay positive
Grab your coat and get your hat
Let's get ready to go out and enjoy the day!
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Don't let your problems weigh you down, leave them behind for now
Just direct your feet
Let's head in the right direction
To the sunny side of the street
Let's focus on the positive aspects of life
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
Listen to the sound of our footsteps as we take on the day
And that happy tune is your step
Our joy is reflected in our every move
Life can be so sweet
When we choose to see the good in it
On the sunny side of the street
Let's stay positive and walk together into the sunshine
I used to walk in the shade
I was once in a dark place in my life
With those blues on parade
Gloomy thoughts and emotions would consume me
But I'm not afraid
With you by my side, I am fearless
This Rover crossed over
I've left my past struggles behind and moved on to a better place
If I never have a cent
Even if I don't have wealth or riches
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
I feel fortunate and wealthy in love and happiness
Gold dust at my feet
My surroundings are filled with beauty and hope
On the sunny side of the street
I choose to focus on the bright and positive side of life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RiseofAcheron
What a great song! lovely pictures too.
@SufferingFoolsMusic
If you listen to the early take of "A Day in the Life" on Beatles Anthology 2, it's clear that Paul McCartney was imitating this melody in the way he sang "Found my coat and grabbed my hat."
@rdpryor
Still the best!
@andrewjwheelerjr3908
A beautiful tune sung by a beautiful well missed sweetness name Judy Garland my darling sing it baby sing on .
@cristianra979
Lovely pictures
@robert44861
"Sunny Side Of The Street" is another JUDY GARLAND golden oldie as is "Poor You" the latter was sung on The Late Show by VIRGINIA O'BRIEN a over looked Songer from the fortied
@BadKruser
Many artists performed this song including some greats: Holiday, Armstrong, Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Dorsey....but this version is my favorite. Dorsey's version https://youtu.be/Il25S7FtKd8 is a very close second. I love how Garland sings it quietly, softly, slowly, emotionally. I believe this is how it was intended.
@andrewjwheelerjr3908
Mine too brother Steve it even makes me cry like I,m doing writing this comment to you she was so beautiful singing this masterpiece of a classic that's why.
@saracaselanizilio4627
Could't agree with you more! ❤