Top 10Best Judy Garland songs from Musicals.

[muggle not]

 

[Charlie Spencer]

AT&SF is way, WAY, WAY too long. The train could be in Santa Fe before that number ends.

Trolly Song isn't a bad number but the staging makes me cringe. I know it's a musical but the rapt interest of random strangers with her tale strikes me as more ludicrous than usual for the genre.

Merry Little Christmas is a classic but I've always wanted to hear the original downbeat lyrics, before Judy persuaded the writers to lighten it up.

Easter Parade has always creeped me out, with the decades of age difference between Judy and Fred.

Rainbow is eternal.

 

[muggle not]

1. AT&SF is way, WAY, WAY too long. The train could be in Santa Fe before that number ends.

Actually the full recording of the song by Judy Garland is 3 minutes and 15 seconds which is average for songs. It seems like you are being critical of the Musical Director for adding other Dialogue to the scene where the song is being sung.

2. Trolly Song isn't a bad number but the staging makes me cringe. I know it's a musical but the rapt interest of random strangers with her tale strikes me as more ludicrous than usual for the genre.
“The Trolley Song” is one of Judy Garland’s most iconic performances, introduced in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. It became an instant classic, earned an Academy Award nomination, and remains one of the most recognizable numbers from her career.

3. Merry Little Christmas is a classic but I've always wanted to hear the original downbeat lyrics, before Judy persuaded the writers to lighten it up.

The original 1943 draft of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was much darker and more somber than the version Judy Garland eventually sang in Meet Me in St. Louis. Hugh Martin’s first lyrics emphasized uncertainty, separation, and even the possibility that the coming Christmas might be the last. Judy Garland, director Vincente Minnelli, and co-star Tom Drake all felt the song was too depressing, especially for a scene where Garland’s character is trying to comfort a child.
Frank Sinatra’s version is even noticeably lighter and more upbeat than Judy Garland’s.

4. Easter Parade has always creeped me out, with the decades of age difference between Judy and Fred.

There was a 23-year age difference between Garland and Astaire. The script was adjusted to soften the romantic angle to a performance-driven chemistry rather than romantic heat. The song itself though was a big hit for Garland.

Rainbow is eternal.

And probably one of the most recognized songs performed by any artist.


Charlie, I think that you are looking at the Musical itself as opposed to the songs sung by Judy Garland. Example, the Trolley song where you think it was not feasible as presented. On the other hand look at probably the greatest scene ever performed in a musical. Gene Kelly's performance of Singing in the Rain. Realistically it is funny to see a guy dancing around a light pole and singing a song. However, as I stated it is probably the greatest scene in any Musical. I never get tired of watching it.