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.
Amor
Julie London Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This word so sweet, that I repeat, means I adore you
Amor, amor, my love
Would you deny this heart that I have placed before you
I can't find another word with meaning so clear
My lips try to whisper sweeter things in your ear
But somehow or other nothing sounds quite so dear
Amor, amor, my love
When you're away there is no day and nights are lonely
Amor, amor, my love
Make life divine, say you'll be mine and love me only
I can't find another word with meaning so clear
My lips try to whisper sweeter things in your ear
But somehow or other nothing sounds quite so dear
As this soft caressing word I know
Amor, amor, amor
Julie London's iconic song "Amor" is a beautiful love ballad that captures the essence of love in a simple yet profound way. The lyrics open up with the repetition of the word "Amor," which translates to love in Spanish. The singer declares that this word so sweet and clear echoes the sentiment of adoration and affection she has for her lover. As the song progresses, the singer pleads with their lover not to deny the heart that is placed before them.
The song's lyrics are simple, yet the way London sings them makes them sound incredibly profound. The words seem to caress the listener's ears with its velvety timbre that melts like butter. Throughout the song, the singer seems to be trying to find another word that's sweeter than "Amor," but they can't seem to find one.
The song's message is quite clear: Amor is the language of love, and it's the most beautiful expression of devotion one can give to their lover. The song's melody is simple yet romantic making it easy to sing along and sway to like in a warm embrace.
Line by Line Meaning
Amor, amor, amor
This Spanish word carries a sweetness and passion that I find irresistible.
This word so sweet, that I repeat, means I adore you
The word 'amor' means so much to me that I keep saying it, as it perfectly expresses my deep love for you.
Amor, amor, my love
I repeat your name, my love, to emphasize the depth and sincerity of my feelings.
Would you deny this heart that I have placed before you
I have offered you my heart – will you accept it or turn it away?
I can't find another word with meaning so clear
I have searched for other words, but nothing comes close to the clarity and depth of 'amor.'
My lips try to whisper sweeter things in your ear
I want to express my love with more words, but they never convey the same sweetness as 'amor.'
But somehow or other nothing sounds quite so dear
No other phrase captures my devotion quite like 'amor.'
When you're away there is no day and nights are lonely
When you're not with me, my world feels empty and lonely.
Make life divine, say you'll be mine and love me only
Please make my life complete by promising to be mine forever and love me unconditionally.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ernesto Fidel Padilla, Tego Calderon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phillip Dragotto
Julie London was an under-appreciated American vocalist. Not only did she have a distinctive voice and style, but she was uniquely beautiful throughout her entire life. In fact she was the first to have her image grace the covers of her albums. She launched Liberty Records with "Cry Me a River" and was known as the Liberty Girl. Yet, she was quite humble. I first met her in 1966 and remained close to her up until her death. I still keep in touch with her family. What a great person she was!
ঘরোয়া রবীন্দ্রনাথ
You are so right. She's my most favourite female vocalist for English song
Lee Larson
Someone commented that Julie London was 'under-appreciated'. Not with ME, she wasn't! She had a soul-stirring voice and was one of the most beautiful women ever built.
Joe Joseph
This is what I call a smoky voice. Love the sound of it.
Corrie121
Love this !! Thank you for sharing.
vidimah
I LOVE ALL the Songs she does **********88stars
felixbautista
Added to my favorites.