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.
Topanga
David Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blowing, stained glass, a song by you
A rooster crows, a rootee-too and a mew far off away,
Cats walking out to see the day
LA on the hills, the sun between them
It's coming up to see, it's coming up to me
LA on the hills, Topanga waking up
A face behind me looking through a screen
Topanga sunrise song by you,
The patchwork curtain mornings of our lives,
And there you are
Bringing us our day in color
Rocks and trees and streams
Topanga reaching out
It's reaching out to me
Oh, it's reaching out to me
LA on the hills, Topanga waking up
Waking up, waking up to me
The lyrics of David Soul's song "Topanga" paint a vivid picture of a peaceful morning in the eponymous California community. The patchwork curtains, made from a combination of paisley, tweed, and rose fabrics, flutter in the breeze as stained glass throws colorful patterns across the room. The sounds of nature fill the air, including the distant crowing of a rooster and the meowing of a cat. As the sun peeks out from behind the hills of Los Angeles, the beauty of the Topanga Canyon comes into view. The singer appreciates these simple pleasures as he welcomes a new day in this idyllic setting.
The theme of the song seems to be appreciation for the simple things in life. While the Los Angeles metropolis looms in the distance, the singer finds joy in the natural world around him. The patchwork curtains and colorful stained glass are examples of the beauty that can be found in everyday objects. The rooster and cat add to the peaceful atmosphere, while the Topanga Canyon itself represents a connection to nature that can be difficult to find in the big city. Overall, "Topanga" celebrates the beauty of simplicity and finding beauty in unexpected places.
Line by Line Meaning
Patchwork curtains; paisley tweed and rose...
Describing the visual aesthetics of the room with curtains made of patchwork of different fabrics including paisley tweed and rose pattern.
Blowing, stained glass, a song by you
The sunlight entering the room through the stained glass windows producing a song-like sound, maybe referring to the effect of the light on the colored glass.
A rooster crows, a rootee-too and a mew far off away,
The sounds of nature in the background such as a rooster crowing, cats meowing far away, etc.
Cats walking out to see the day
Cats are starting their day walking out into the daylight, probably referring to the lifestyle of the people living in Topanga.
LA on the hills, the sun between them
The lyric hints at the name of the song referencing the Topanga Canyon in Los Angeles between two hills (Sun and Moon).
It's coming up to see, it's coming up to me
The sun is rising to the point where the singer can see it.
LA on the hills, Topanga waking up
Between the lines, it can be said that Topanga refers to the people living in the region whose day starts with the sun coming up on the hills.
Waking up to me
The singer feels a special connection to the place he is in, and he feels like the morning is embracing him as he is part of it.
A face behind me looking through a screen
The singer talks about someone's face behind him, probably a reference to a lover who is looking outside through the curtains.
Topanga sunrise song by you,
The voice of the lover singing a song with the sound of the sunrise, emphasizing the importance of the connection between the two subjects.
The patchwork curtain mornings of our lives,
The singer reflects upon the everyday aesthetic of his life in Topanga as he wakes up to the patchworked curtains.
And there you are
Bringing us our day in color
Refers again to the presence of the singer's lover, who symbolizes bringing color and positivity into their life together with the new day.
Rocks and trees and streams
The singer references the natural beauty of Topanga, talking about its rocky terrains, trees surrounding the area, and streams flowing down the mountains.
Topanga reaching out
It's reaching out to me
Oh, it's reaching out to me
The singer expresses his deep connection with the place he is in, emphasizing how he feels embraced and attached to Topanga.
LA on the hills, Topanga waking up
Waking up, waking up to me
This line is repeated, adding to the tone of the song expressing a deep affection for the place and its people. The singer feels that Topanga is waking up for him, representing the sense of belonging he found in this place.
Contributed by Aaron R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.