London's 35-year acting career began in films in 1944 and included playing opposite Gary Cooper in Man of the West (1958) and Robert Mitchum in The Wonderful Country (1959). She achieved continuing success in the TV medical drama Emergency! (1972–1979), co-starring her real-life husband, Bobby Troup, and produced by her ex-husband, Jack Webb, in which London played the female lead role of nurse Dixie McCall. She and Randolph Mantooth, who played one-half of her medical students, a paramedic, in the series, were very close to her family, until her death in 2000.
Born in Santa Rosa, California, she was the daughter of Jack and Josephine Peck, who were a vaudeville song-and-dance team. When she was fourteen the family moved to Los Angeles. Shortly after that, she began appearing in movies. She graduated from the Hollywood Professional High School in 1945.
London began singing under the name Gayle Peck in public in her teens before appearing in a film. She was discovered by talent agent Sue Carol (wife of actor Alan Ladd), while working as an elevator operator. Her early film career, however, did not include any singing roles.
London recorded 32 albums in a career that began in 1955 with a live performance at the 881 Club in Los Angeles. Billboard named her the most popular female vocalist for 1955, 1956, and 1957. She was the subject of a 1957 Life cover article in which she was quoted as saying, "It's only a thimbleful of a voice, and I have to use it close to the microphone. But it is a kind of oversmoked voice, and it automatically sounds intimate."
London's debut recordings were for the Bethlehem Records label. While shopping for a record deal, she recorded four tracks that would later be included on the compilation album Bethlehem's Girlfriends in 1955. Bobby Troup backed London on the album, for which London recorded the standards "Don't Worry About Me", "Motherless Child", "A Foggy Day", and "You're Blasé".
London's most famous single, "Cry Me a River", was written by her high-school classmate Arthur Hamilton and produced by Troup. The recording became a million-seller after its release in December 1955 and also sold on reissue in April 1983 from the attention brought by a Mari Wilson cover. London performed the song in the film The Girl Can't Help It (1956), and her recording gained later attention in the films Passion of Mind (2000) and V for Vendetta (2006). The song "Yummy Yummy Yummy" was featured on the HBO television series Six Feet Under and appears on its soundtrack album. London's "Must Be Catchin'" was featured in the 2011 premiere episode of the ABC series Pan Am. Her last recording was "My Funny Valentine" for the soundtrack of the Burt Reynolds film Sharky's Machine (1981).
Other popular singles include "Hot Toddy", "Daddy", and "Desafinado". Recordings such as "Go Slow" epitomized her career style: her voice is slow, smoky, and playfully sensual.
She was married to Jack Webb, of Dragnet fame. Her obvious beauty and self-poise (she was a pinup girl prized by GIs during World War II) contrasted with his pedestrian appearance and stiff-as-a-board acting technique (much parodied by impersonators). This unlikely pairing arose from his and her love for jazz; their marriage lasted from July 1947 to November 1953. They had two daughters, one who was killed in a traffic accident in the 1990s and one who survived London. In 1954, having become somewhat reclusive after her divorce from Jack Webb, she met jazz composer and musician Bobby Troup at a club on La Brea Blvd. They married on December 31, 1959 and remained married until Troup's death in February 1999. Together, they had one daughter and twin sons.
London suffered a stroke in 1995, and was in poor health until her death in Encino, California, at the age of seventy-four, survived by four of her five children. She died on18th October 2000, and was buried in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.
15.Always True to You in My Fashion
Julie London Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why can't you behave
Why can't you behave?
How in hell can you be jealous
When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
I'm just mad for you
And I'll always be
But naturally
If a custom-tailored vet
Asks me out for something wet
When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
I enjoy a tender pass
By the boss of Boston, Mass
Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
There's a madman known as Mack
Who is planning to attack
If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
I've been asked to have a meal
By a big tycoon in steel
If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin' in my way
I could never curl my lip
To a dazzlin' diamond clip
Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
But I'm always true to to you, darlin, in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
There's an oil man known as "Tex"
Who is keen to give me checks
And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
There's a wealthy Hindu priest
Who's a wolf, to say the least
When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin'in my way
There's a lush from Portland, Ore
Who is rich but such a bore
When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin',in my way
Mister Harris, plutocrat
Wants to give my cheek a pat
If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, Oo-la-la!
Mais je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my fashion
Oui, je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my way
From Ohio, Mister Thorne
Calls me up from night 'til morn
Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
Often moves me to the Ritz
Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Mister Gable, I mean Clark
Wants me on his boat to park
If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Julie London's "Always True to You in My Fashion" is a light-hearted and clever interpretation of love, loyalty, and infidelity. The song begins with an open exchange between two lovers, with the woman imploring her partner, Bill, to behave himself. Despite her devotion and servitude, Bill still finds himself questioning her loyalty and becoming jealous. The woman, however, is confident in her affections, asserting that she is always true to him, albeit in her own way.
The song continues with a series of tongue-in-cheek anecdotes about the woman's encounters with various men on her travels, all of whom seem to offer her some type of temptation, whether it be alcohol, wealth, or sex. Despite her willingness to indulge in these pleasures, the woman remains steadfast in her love for Bill, insisting that she is always true to him, even if her actions may suggest otherwise. The song concludes with a final affirmation of her love and loyalty to Bill, with the woman reiterating that she may stray but will always return to him.
Overall, London's interpretation of the song is lighthearted, witty, and somewhat satirical, highlighting the complexities of love and loyalty in a playful and entertaining way.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Bill
Addressing the person named Bill.
Why can't you behave
Questioning Bill's behavior.
Why can't you behave?
Questioning Bill's behavior.
How in hell can you be jealous
Asking Bill how he can be jealous.
When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
Reminding Bill that he knows they are in a relationship.
I'm just mad for you
Expressing strong feelings of love towards Bill.
And I'll always be
Promise to always love Bill.
But naturally
Stating that the love comes naturally.
If a custom-tailored vet
If a well-dressed veteran.
Asks me out for something wet
Asks me out for a drink.
When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
If the person makes sexual advances, I am happy.
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
But I am always loyal and faithful to you, my love, in my unique ways.
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Yes, I am always loyal and true to you, my love, in my way.
I enjoy a tender pass
I enjoy a gentle touch.
By the boss of Boston, Mass
By the person in charge in Boston, Massachusetts.
Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
Although his advances are ordinary and not extravagant.
There's a madman known as Mack
Referring to someone called Mack who is insane.
Who is planning to attack
Who is planning something dangerous.
If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
If his dangerous plan means getting a Cadillac, it is acceptable.
I've been asked to have a meal
I was invited to have a meal.
By a big tycoon in steel
By a wealthy person in the steel industry.
If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
If the meal comes with a business offer, I may accept it.
I could never curl my lip
I could never sneer or look down at someone.
To a dazzlin' diamond clip
To a shiny jewelry clip.
Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
Even though the clip may suggest being wild, I wouldn't reject it.
There's an oil man known as "Tex"
Referring to a man from Texas who is involved with oil.
Who is keen to give me checks
Who wants to give me money.
And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
I am afraid that accepting his money means he will expect sexual favors.
There's a wealthy Hindu priest
Referring to a rich Hindu religious leader.
Who's a wolf, to say the least
Who is a womanizer.
When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
When the religious leader goes too far, I also act inappropriately.
There's a lush from Portland, Ore
Referring to a person from Portland who is rich and fond of alcohol.
Who is rich but such a bore
Who is rich but uninteresting.
When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
When the uninteresting person passes out, I leave him alone.
Mister Harris, plutocrat
Referring to a wealthy businessman named Harris.
Wants to give my cheek a pat
Wants to touch my cheek.
If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, Oo-la-la!
If that touch means getting a Paris hat, I am excited.
Mais je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my fashion
But I am always loyal, my love, in my own way.
Oui, je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my way
Yes, I am always loyal, my love, in my own way.
From Ohio, Mister Thorne
Referring to someone named Thorne from Ohio.
Calls me up from night 'til morn
Calls me frequently during the night.
Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
Mister Thorne was once involved in a significant business deal.
From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
Referring to someone from Milwaukee named Fritz.
Often moves me to the Ritz
Often takes me to the Ritz hotel.
Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
Mister Fritz drinks a lot and is playful.
Mister Gable, I mean Clark
Referring to a famous actor named Clark Gable.
Wants me on his boat to park
Wants me to be with him on his boat.
If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!
If being with Clark Gable means getting a sable coat, it's time to set sail!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind