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.
An Occasional Man
Julie London Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everything about it is terrific
I've got the sun to tan me palms to fan me
And - an occasional man!
I've got an island, it's very lazy
If I should ever leave it I'd be crazy!
I've got papayas, peaches sandy beaches
And - an occasional man! When I go swimmin'
'Cause I go swimmin'
Wearin' just a great big smile!
My little island was made for pleasure
And in the cool of evening it's a treasure
And when the hour grows later
What is greater than - an occasional man!
If you're on shore leave
And your face is kinda cute
Perhaps, by your leave
I can be you passion fruit!
My little island is such a beauty
You may gorget to heed the call of duty
But if you give the slip to your ship
Miss your trip take a tip
And blame - an occasional dame!
The lyrics of Julie London's song "An Occasional Man" paint a vivid picture of a carefree and idyllic life on a Pacific island. The singer describes their island as a paradise, with beautiful weather, palm trees to provide shade, and the occasional companionship of a man. This island is a haven of relaxation and enjoyment, where the singer can bask in the sun, surround themselves with fruits and sandy beaches, and escape from the demands of the outside world.
The lyrics suggest that this island offers the perfect escape, a place where time moves slowly and laziness is embraced. The singer cherishes their island so much that they cannot imagine leaving it. The island is a retreat filled with papayas, peaches, and tropical delights, and the occasional man adds a touch of excitement and romance to their peaceful existence.
The contrasting references to swimming further emphasize the laid-back lifestyle on the island. The singer suggests that they swim in style, not concerned with traditional swimwear but instead wearing a big smile as their only attire. This playful image highlights their carefree attitude and the joy they find in simple pleasures.
Towards the end of the lyrics, there is a twist as the focus shifts from the occasional man to the occasional dame. It implies that the island's allure is not limited to the male presence but can also offer the companionship and passion of a woman. This unexpected mention adds a sense of inclusivity and suggests that the island and its pleasures are open to all.
Overall, "An Occasional Man" portrays an enchanting and alluring vision of an island getaway, where one can find solace, beauty, and occasional companionship, free from the constraints of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got an island in the Pacific
I possess a picturesque island situated in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean
And everything about it is terrific
Every aspect of the island is exceptionally splendid and delightful
I've got the sun to tan me palms to fan me
I have the radiant sun to provide a bronzed complexion, and gentle palm trees to alleviate the warmth by creating a cooling breeze
And - an occasional man!
Moreover, I occasionally have the pleasure of enjoying the company and attention of a male companion
I've got an island, it's very lazy
My island possesses a laid-back and leisurely ambiance
If I should ever leave it I'd be crazy!
The mere thought of departing from this paradise would be deemed irrational and incomprehensible
I've got papayas, peaches sandy beaches
Among the island's offerings are luscious papayas, juicy peaches, and idyllic sandy shores
And - an occasional man!
Additionally, I am privileged with the infrequent presence of a male companion
When I go swimmin'
During my ventures into the crystal-clear waters
I am always dressed in style
I maintain a fashionable appearance and attire
'Cause I go swimmin'
Because when I engage in swimming
Wearin' just a great big smile!
My sole ensemble consists of an enormous smile radiating pure joy and contentment
My little island was made for pleasure
This small haven was specifically designed to provide and indulge in pleasure and enjoyment
And in the cool of evening it's a treasure
As the evening descends, the island becomes an invaluable gem, exuding a mesmerizing allure
And when the hour grows later
As the passage of time leads to later hours
What is greater than - an occasional man!
There is nothing more splendid than the presence of a male companion on these occasions
If you're on shore leave
Should you find yourself on a temporary break ashore
And your face is kinda cute
Furthermore, if your countenance possesses a certain charm
Perhaps, by your leave
Maybe, with your permission
I can be your passion fruit!
I can assume the role of a captivating and alluring individual, igniting your passions and desires
My little island is such a beauty
My diminutive paradise exhibits immense beauty and visual appeal
You may forget to heed the call of duty
In the presence of such splendor, one might unintentionally neglect their responsibilities and obligations
But if you give the slip to your ship
However, if you manage to discreetly abandon your vessel
Miss your trip take a tip
Miss your intended voyage, I advise you to consider
And blame - an occasional dame!
In such circumstances, attribute the blame to a charismatic and occasional female companion
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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