A Star Is Born
Judy Garland · 1954
41 min · 8 tracks · pop music
A lush orchestral backdrop underscores Garland's soaring vocals, blending classic pop with the emotive power of musical theater.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Man That Got Away — This track exemplifies Garland's ability to convey deep emotion through her powerful voice, becoming an anthem of heartbreak that resonates beyond its cinematic context.
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Born in a Trunk Medley — This ambitious medley showcases Garland’s versatility and theatricality, weaving together multiple songs into a compelling narrative that highlights her stage presence.
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Gotta Have Me Go With You Start here — With its infectious melody and heartfelt delivery, this track encapsulates the longing present throughout the album, further enhancing Garland’s character's emotional journey.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends theatricality with strong vocal performances, though its cohesion is affected by varied tempos and styles.
What we noticed
- Tracks vary in tempo and mood, with some like 'The Man That Got Away' being slow and emotional, while others are more upbeat.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like emotional crescendos
- medley of nostalgic reflections
- moments of heartfelt vulnerability
- short bursts of theatrical flair
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, upbeat tracks
- seek heavy production
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album significantly boosted Garland's profile and showcased her talent in a major film.
- Themes
- Hollywood dreams· musical theater revival
- Career context
- Released in 1954, A Star Is Born marked Judy Garland's comeback after a tumultuous period in her life and career. This soundtrack coincided with her role as an aspiring starlet, paralleling her own struggles and triumphs in Hollywood. Her performance revitalized her status as a leading lady in music and film.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Liza Minnelli· Barbra Streisand· Ella Fitzgerald
Tracklist
- 1 Overture 2:07
- 2 Gotta Have Me Go With You Start here 3:16
- 3 The Man That Got Away 4:23
- 4 Born in a Trunk Medley: Swanee / I'll Get by / You Took Advantage of Me / Black Bottom / The Peanut Vendor / My Melancholy Baby / Swanee 15:09
- 5 Here's What I'm Here For 3:11
- 6 It's a New World 2:29
- 7 Someone at Last 6:44
- 8 Lose That Long Face 3:53
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Way We Were
Barbra Streisand
Similar orchestral arrangements and emotive vocal delivery, exploring themes of nostalgia and lost love.
Songs for Young Lovers
Frank Sinatra
Shares lush orchestration and theatrical storytelling, reflecting on youthful dreams and romantic pursuits.
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
Combines pop with rich orchestral backing, showcasing powerful vocals and themes of love and aspiration.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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