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).
Once In a Lifetime
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here's a rundown
Every day that comes, comes once in a lifetime
Take each day and gather the rosebuds in it
Fill each minute
Every day that comes, comes once in a lifetime
Who knows what it brings
While the future waits, the present swings
Day to day, in Brooklyn or China 'cross the bay
Only once comes this particular sky
Only once these precious hours go by
Only once in a lifetime the day comes by
So live, live, live, live today
Think of now, tomorrow is waiting in the wings
Who knows what it brings
While the future waits, the present swings
From day to day, in Brooklyn or China 'cross the bay
Only once comes this particular sky
Only once these precious hours go by
Only once in a lifetime a day comes by
So live, live, live, come on and live today
The lyrics to the song "Once In A Lifetime" sung by Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli is a reminder to live in the present moment and appreciate every day as it comes. The song talks about how every day is unique and should be cherished as it only happens once in a lifetime. Garland and Minnelli encourage listeners to seize the day and gather the rosebuds while they can. They remind us that while the future is unknown and waiting in the wings, the present moment is all we have, and it's essential to make the most of it.
The lyrics go further to create a sense of nostalgia, reminiscing about precious moments that have gone by and highlighting how they will never come again. The song encourages people to live life to the fullest, no matter where they are or what they are doing, whether in Brooklyn or China 'cross the bay. The lyrics of "Once In A Lifetime" are an impressive reminder of the beauty of life and how each day is a blessing not to be taken for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day, just go along dawn till sundown
Life is a routine, we go through each day from sunrise to sunset without much thought.
Here's a rundown
This is a quick summary of life's daily routine.
Every day that comes, comes once in a lifetime
Each day is unique and cannot be relived or replicated.
Take each day and gather the rosebuds in it
We should savor each day and make the most of it.
Fill each minute
Make every minute of the day count to its fullest potential.
Think of now, tomorrow is waiting in the wings
Live in the present moment as the future is unknown and can be unpredictable.
Who knows what it brings
The future is uncertain and cannot be predicted.
While the future waits, the present swings
The present moment is fleeting and constantly moving forward.
Day to day, in Brooklyn or China 'cross the bay
Life happens every day, no matter where you are located in the world.
Only once comes this particular sky
Each day brings a unique set of circumstances that are specific to that day.
Only once these precious hours go by
Time is fleeting and once the day is gone, it cannot be relived.
Only once in a lifetime the day comes by
Each day is unique and cannot be replicated or relived in the same way.
So live, live, live, live today
Make the most of each day, live in the present moment and enjoy life to its fullest.
From day to day, in Brooklyn or China 'cross the bay
Life happens every day, no matter where you are located in the world.
Only once comes this particular sky
Each day brings a unique set of circumstances that are specific to that day.
Only once these precious hours go by
Time is fleeting and once the day is gone, it cannot be relived.
Only once in a lifetime a day comes by
Each day is unique and cannot be replicated or relived in the same way.
So live, live, live, come on and live today
Make the most of each day, live in the present moment and enjoy life to its fullest.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADOLPH GREEN, BETTY COMDEN, JULE STYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Cilano
The one and only Judy. An amazing talent. When i saw her perform live in Rochester, NY about 1961, she had the audience clapping, standing, crying, she was so wonderful.
TheBatCaveOfOz
You know...everyone talks about 'that certain spark' (thanks Norman Maine!) in a performer, but with Judy you get an Unstoppable, Raging Inferno of Talent! We are So Lucky to have had her on this planet, even for such a short time! ^^X^^
Charlie Childers
You truly accurately and beautifully explained everything about Judy Garland. Shockingly true analogy. Thanks so much!!!🤗
Wayne LaRue
Wonderful Job Jaycub !! This is actually one of my favorite songs of her's not to mention one of her greatest performances ! I have always loved this woman and her gifted voice. It's not hard to see why she is often referred to as one the greatest entertainers that ever lived ... I second that fact !! My favorite movie with her is "In the Good Old Summertime" ... Absolutely the best by the best !! Thanks again for posting !
Terry Smith
Judy was the Greatest that ever lived, bar none. Jolson was great, no question about that, but, Judy tops everyone, no question about that.
Alan Mc Alister
Up late cannot sleep revisited Judy at the Palladium and this remix.. Fantastic .. that boom voice out of such a tiny person effortlessly giving us her audience a treat thrill of a lifetime. "Just once in a lifetime" a talent like Judy comes along..... Thank you for sharing this jewel.
Fred Hough
Judy was and is the best we ever had- miss her
John Manno
Best version. Hands down.
TheTreasureHouse
Perfection. No more need be said. Thank you for the merger of audio and visual performances.
Julie Edwards
just love this lady such a performer x