Originally David Richard Solberg, he was born the son of a Lutheran minister. His father, Dr. Richard Solberg, was a senior representative for Lutheran World Relief during the reconstruction of Germany after World War II, and the family moved frequently while Soul was growing up. Soul's brother is a Lutheran minister and social activist.
Soul first gained attention as the mysterious "Covered Man" on several appearances on The Merv Griffin Show in 1967 in which he sang while wearing a ski mask and explained, "My name is David Soul, and I want to be known for my music".
Soul then appeared as level-headed Joshua Bolt on the television program Here Come the Brides, and later Arthur Hill's law partner on, "Owen Marshal: Counselor At Law". Superstar status came when he portrayed Detective Hutchinson on Starsky and Hutch. He has also made guest appearances on shows such as I Dream of Jeannie, McMillan and Wife, Cannon, Gunsmoke, World War III (miniseries), Star Trek, and The Streets of San Francisco. His best known film appearance was opposite Clint Eastwood in Magnum Force (1973). Soul also appeared in the mini-series based on Stephen King's horror classic "Salem's Lot" (1978).
After a successful singing career, including hits such as "Don't Give Up on Us" and "Silver Lady", Soul fell into relative obscurity during the 1980s, fought a long battle with alcoholism, although frequently made guest appearances in various US television series, with the occasional small film role.
In the 1990s, Soul moved to London, and forged a new career on the West End stage. He also notably participated in the successful 1997 election campaign of Martin Bell. In September 2004, he became a British citizen, but has kept his US citizenship and ties with the US. He is a big fan of English football (soccer) and is an Arsenal supporter. He has been married four times, three of those marriages have been to actresses: Karen Carlson, Patty Sherman, and Julia Nickson-Soul. He has six children: five sons and one daughter. His brother, Daniel Solberg, is pastor of St. Paulus Lutheran Church in San Francisco, California.
On July 12, 2004, he took over playing the role of Jerry Springer in Jerry Springer: The Opera at the Cambridge Theatre in London, televised by the BBC in 2005. He returned to the West End in 2006, playing Mack in a new production of Jerry Herman's musical Mack and Mabel at the Criterion Theatre. The production co-starred Janie Dee and was directed by John Doyle. He also appeared in the TV series Dalziel & Pascoe (Game of Soldiers). He had a brief cameo in the 2004 movie version of Starsky & Hutch, alongside original co-star Paul Michael Glaser.
In August 2008, Soul appeared in the reality TV talent show-themed television series Maestro on BBC Two mentored by Natalia Luis-Bassa.
He appeared with Fred Ward and Willem Dafoe in the film Farewell directed by Christian Carion, which received its U.S. release in 2010.
In June 2012, Soul made a one-week appearance with Jerry Hall at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, in a reprise of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated play by A. R. Gurney, Love Letters. On July 29, 2012, he appeared in an episode of the British television detective drama series Lewis, playing a murder victim. He was also featured in the hit album by Fosseytango, singing on the track "Landlord". In 2013, Soul appeared in a cameo role in the Scottish film Filth lip-syncing his own recording of "Silver Lady". In 2014, Soul appeared in a British television commercial for National Express singing "Silver Lady" while driving a coach.
Soul died on January 4, 2024, at the age of 80.
1927 Kansas City
David Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1927 Kansas City
Said he liked the color of her hair
Then he walked her home and told her she was pretty
Then they spent a little while
Letting their hearts learn to smile
Doing things that lovers always do
And it's 1927 Kansas CIty
Folks were drivin' round in their stutz bearcats
With straw hats, parasols, the fashion of the day
Summer nights with ukulele strumming
They were humming to the tune of moonlight bay
Batchtub gin and movie stars
Two more payments and the baby's ours
It's the little things that make this live so sweet
When your only worries were your two sore feet
From dancin' in the street in Kansas City
So fine the little ol' couple in love
Space in time the little ol' couple in love
Nowadays there's silver in her hair
The kids have come and gone like seasons turning
Forty years since they met at the fair
But he still brings her flowers in the morning
Knowing when the shadows fall
Life's a circle after all
Reminding her their love can never end
Suddenly she's just a girl again
And it's 1927 Kansas City
The song "1927 Kansas City" by David Soul is a beautiful story of a young couple who fell in love in the city of Kansas in 1927. The lyrics depict how the couple met at the fair, and the young man bought a flower for the girl, admiring the color of her hair. He then walked her home and told her how pretty she was, a gentle start to their love story. They spent time together, learning to love and sharing secret moments that only lovers can understand. The young man asked the girl how many kids she wanted to have, and she replied with 'a few.'
The refrain of the song speaks of how life was in Kansas City in the 1920s. People drove around in their Stutz Bearcats, with straw hats and parasols, and summer nights were filled with ukulele music and the tune of the moonlight bay. The couple in love enjoyed bathtub gin and movie stars, dreaming of their future together. They were happy with the little things that life offered them, like dancing in the street and having sore feet.
The last verse of the song speaks of how time has passed, and the couple grew older together, reminiscing about the time they first met at the fair in Kansas City. They may have aged, but the love that they shared has never diminished. The lyrics capture the fact that love never dies, and the memories of our youth never fade away.
Line by Line Meaning
He bought her a flower at the fair
He gifted her a flower when they met at the fair, which is a symbol of his affection towards her.
1927 Kansas City
The setting where the two characters met and the anecdote takes place.
Said he liked the color of her hair
He complimented her on her hair color, thereby expressing his attraction for her.
Then he walked her home and told her she was pretty
After purchasing the flower and talking to each other, he walks her home and compliments her on her beauty.
Then they spent a little while
Letting their hearts learn to smile
Doing things that lovers always do
They spent time with each other, enjoying each other's company, doing things that are common, and getting to know each other better.
He said "How many kids?" She said "A few"
And it's 1927 Kansas City
During their time together, they talked about the future and the possibility of having children.
Folks were drivin' round in their stutz bearcats
With straw hats, parasols, the fashion of the day
Summer nights with ukulele strumming
They were humming to the tune of moonlight bay
The song describes the culture of Kansas City in 1927, highlighting the fashion of that time, with people enjoying summer nights and playing music on ukuleles.
Batchtub gin and movie stars
Two more payments and the baby's ours
It's the little things that make this live so sweet
When your only worries were your two sore feet
From dancin' in the street in Kansas City
The couple's life is highlighted in the lyrics, with references to popular culture, finances, and children. The joys of life are expressed, such as dancing together, despite the hard times.
So fine the little ol' couple in love
Space in time the little ol' couple in love
The couple's love is emphasized with words like 'fine' and is celebrated by acknowledging the small moments that make their love great.
Nowadays there's silver in her hair
The kids have come and gone like seasons turning
Forty years since they met at the fair
But he still brings her flowers in the morning
The song narrates the couple's life journey—how their kids grew up and left, how they aged, but how he still shows his love for her and brings her flowers every morning.
Knowing when the shadows fall
Life's a circle after all
Reminding her their love can never end
Suddenly she's just a girl again
And it's 1927 Kansas City
The song's final lines suggest that their love remains strong even after all these years, and the memories remind her of their young days together.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL REILLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind