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).
The Trolly Song
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Ding, ding, ding" went the bell
"Zing, zing, zing" went my heartstrings
For the moment I saw him I fell
"Chug, chug, chug" went the motor
"Bump, bump, bump" went the brake
"Thump, thump, thump" went my heartstrings
He tipped his hat, and took a seat
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He asked my name I held my breath
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
"Buzz, buzz, buzz" went the buzzer
"Plop, plop, plop" went the wheels
"Stop, stop, stop" went my heartstrings
As he started to leave I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
And as if it were planned
He stayed on with me and it was grand
Just to stand with his hand holding mine
All the way to the end of the line
The lyrics of "The Trolley Song" by Judy Garland and the M-G-M Studio Chorus tell the story of falling in love at first sight. The opening lines describe the sounds of the trolley and the bell, while the singer's heartstrings begin to "zing" at the sight of her future love interest. As the trolley continues along its route, the motor and brakes make additional sounds, while the singer's heartstrings continue to thump in response to the man's smile.
The man tips his hat and takes a seat beside the singer, introducing himself and asking for her name. She is so taken aback by his presence that she cannot speak, a feeling that is described as being "half to death." As the trolley continues on its journey, the buzzer and wheels make more sounds, while the singer's heartstrings continue to race. When the man begins to leave at the end of the line, the singer grabs his sleeve, and to her surprise, he stays with her until the end of the ride.
The lyrics of "The Trolley Song" express the excitement and thrill of falling in love for the first time. The sounds of the trolley and its surroundings serve as a backdrop to the singer's inner feelings of attraction and nerves. The song is also notable for its upbeat melody and catchy chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
The trolley made a loud noise as it moved.
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
The bell on the trolley rang to let people know it was coming.
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
I felt a rush of excitement when I saw him.
For the moment I saw him I fell
I immediately fell in love with him.
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
The motor on the trolley made a rhythmic noise as it moved.
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
The brake made a jerking motion as it stopped the trolley.
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
My heart was pounding when he made eye contact with me.
When he smiled, I could feel the car shake
I was so excited when he smiled at me, it felt like the car was shaking.
He tipped his hat, and took a seat
He greeted me politely and then sat down on the trolley.
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He apologized for accidentally getting too close to me.
He asked my name I held my breath
I was so nervous when he asked my name that I had to take a deep breath.
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
I was so intimidated by him that I couldn't form words.
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
The buzzer on the trolley signaled that it was time to stop.
Plop, plop, plop went the wheels
The wheels made a soft noise as they rolled along the track.
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
I was heartbroken when he said he had to leave the trolley.
As he started to leave I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
I didn't want him to leave, so I grabbed onto his sleeve to stop him.
And as if it were planned
It felt like destiny that we were meant to meet each other.
He stayed on with me and it was grand
He decided to stay with me and it was wonderful.
Just to stand with his hand holding mine
I was overjoyed to be standing next to him, holding his hand.
All the way to the end of the line
We stayed together until the end of the trolley ride.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HUGH MARTIN, RALPH BLANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@borderlinegirl5746
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
As we started for Huntington Dell
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the brakes
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
As we glided by Huntington Lake
The day was bright, the air was sweet
The smell of honeysuckle charmed me off my feet
I tried to sing but couldn't squeak
In fact, I felt so good I couldn't even speak
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Time to all to disembark
Time to fall went my heartstrings
As we got off at Huntington Park
As we got off at Huntington Park
With my high starched collar
And my high topped shoes
And my hair
Piled high upon my head
I went to lose a jolly
Hour on the Trolley
And lost my heart instead
With his light brown derby
And his bright green tie
He was quite
The handsomest of men
I started to yen
So I counted to ten
Then I counted to ten again
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
From the moment I saw him I fell
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
When he smiled I could feel the car shake
(Clang, clang, clang)
He tipped his hat
And took a seat
He said, he hoped he hadn't
Stepped upon my feet
He asked my name
I held my breath
I couldn't speak because
He scared me half to death
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Plop, plop, plop went the wheels
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to go
Then I started to know
How it feels
When the universe reels
The day was bright
The air was sweet
The smell of honeysuckle
Charmed you off your feet
You tried to sing
But couldn't squeak
In fact, you loved him
So you couldn't even speak
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Plop, plop, plop went the wheels
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to leave
I took hold of his sleeve
With my hand
And as if it were planned
He stay on with me
And it was grand just to stand
With his hand holding mine
Till the end of the line
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Zing, zing, zing went my heart
@munkustrap79
(Chorus 1)
[PASSENGERS]
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
As we started for Huntington Dell
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the brakes
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
As we glided by Huntington Lake
The day was bright, the air was sweet
The smell of honeysuckle charmed me off my feet
I had to sing but couldn't squeak
In fact, I felt so good I couldn't even speak
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Time for all to disembark
Time to fall went my heartstrings
As we got off at Huntington Park
As we got off at Huntington Park
(Verse)
[ESTHER]
With my high-starched collar and my high-topped shoes
And my hair piled high upon my head
I went to lose a jolly
Hour on the trolley
And lost my heart instead
With his light brown derby and his light green tie
He was quite the handsomest of men
I started to yen
So I counted to ten
Then I counted to ten again
(Chorus 2)
[ESTHER]
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
From the moment I saw him, I fell
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
When he smiled, I could feel the car shake
[PASSENGERS]
Clang! Clang! Clang!
[ESTHER]
He tipped his hat and took a seat
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He asked my name, I held my breath
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
[CONDUCTOR]
Hiya, Johnny!
[ESTHER]
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Pop, pop, pop went the wheels
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to go
Then I started to know
How it feels
When the universe reels
[PASSENGERS]
The day was bright, the air was sweet
The smell of honeysuckle charmed you off your feet
You tried to sing but couldn't squeak
In fact, you loved him so you couldn't even speak
[ESTHER]
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Pop, pop, pop went the wheels
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to leave
I took hold of his sleeve
With my hand
And as if it were planned
He stayed on with me and
It was grand
Just to stand
With his hand
Holding mine
To the end of the line
@elainelosee7974
Love this film, this song. Her enthusiasm is
Contagious. She truly happier when
On stage performing, and with her children.
God, how I loved
Her. She was amazingly good, great story teller,
Marvelously talented at all
She did. Thank you,
Judy Garland, for
Everything you did
For you friends,
Fans, how you
Loved your
Children.RIP
@mjwemdee
'...As he started to leave,
I took hold of his sleeve
With my hand,
And as if it were planned,
He stayed on with me, and
It was grand
Just to stand
With his hand
Holding mine - to the end of the line!!' Fantastic lyric writing by Hugh Martin. [Ralph Blane was also credited, but did not actually contribute to this song]
@tonytune4342
I read that Judy said that while making this movie was the only time she felt beautiful. So sad how her life ended after all the joy she brought to millions by way of her talent . She deserved better.
@lordalessan
Tony Tune She was also being directed by a man who was in love with her. <3
@ryangregorakos5040
I think she said that she was true first in her life she beautiful (I would have to disagree she looked beautiful in many films before and after this one), but after that she still felt beautiful. I remember reading a story about her and one day in her 30’s she broke down crying in her dressing room and said: “I’ve lost my beauty,” after looking at herself in the mirror.
@daniellacecala3858
Tony Tune unfortunately she wasn’t treated with much respect in her life
@iris5678
@@daniellacecala3858 Not many people were in that time period. We've come such a long ways
@fleurconsidine2995
It’s true she deserves better
@shoknifeman2mikado135
This song was hurriedly written to add a few extra mins to the film, it turned out to be a masterpiece
@SarahJareth
It became the crowning song of that entire film referenced in almost any form of popular media including 2 times on The Simpsons
@kerriethompson2073
And she did this song in one take!
@SarahJareth
@Acererak oh yeah definitely has