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.
Daddy
Julie London Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lazy Daisy Mae
Her disposition is rather sweet and charming
At times alarming, so they say
She has a man who's tall dark handsome large and strong
To whom she used to sing this song
Hey, Daddy, I want a diamond ring, bracelets, everything
Hey, Daddy, gee, don't I look swell in sables?
Clothes with Paris labels?
Daddy, you ought to get the best for me
Here's an amazing revelation
With a bit of stimulation
I'd be a great sensation
I'd be your inspiration
Daddy, I want a brand new car, champagne, caviar
Daddy, you ought to get the best for me
Hey, Daddy, I want a diamond ring, bracelets, everything
Daddy, you ought to get the best for me
Hey, Daddy, gee, don't I look swell in sables?
Clothes with Paris labels?
Daddy, you ought to get the best for me
Here's an amazing revelation
With a bit of stimulation
I'd be a great sensation
I'd be your inspiration
Daddy, I want a brand new car, champagne, caviar
Daddy, Daddy
You ought to get the best for me
The song "Daddy" by Julie London, originally released in 1955, is a playful and seductive tune about a girl named Daisy Mae who is coaxing her wealthy lover to provide her with the finest things in life. The song begins by introducing the listener to Daisy Mae, a sweet and charming girl who can also be alarming at times. She has a tall, dark and handsome man in her life to whom she used to sing this song. In the song, Daisy Mae is asking her "Daddy" for a diamond ring, bracelets, sables with Paris labels, a brand new car, champagne, and caviar - essentially everything her heart desires. The repetition of the lyrics "Daddy, you ought to get the best for me" underscores the idea that Daisy Mae is making it clear she wants only the best.
However, the intriguing part of the song is the way the lyrics can be interpreted. While Daisy Mae is clearly after material possessions, it seems there may be an underlying message as well. In the second verse, she sings "With a bit of stimulation, I'd be a great sensation, I'd be your inspiration." This line implies that Daisy Mae may be willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants, but it also could suggest that she wants to be encouraged and supported to reach her full potential. The song can be interpreted as either a fun, playful tune, or a more serious reflection on the dynamics of power and wealth in relationships.
Overall, "Daddy" is a catchy, upbeat song that showcases Julie London's sultry voice and playful personality. While it may have been controversial at the time of its release for its suggestive lyrics, it has since become a classic example of mid-century pop music.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, listen to my story about a gal named Daisy Mae
Introducing the character Daisy Mae, whose story will be narrated through the song.
Lazy Daisy Mae
Daisy Mae's relaxed attitude and lazy disposition.
Her disposition is rather sweet and charming
Daisy Mae's personality is endearing and likable.
At times alarming, so they say
Despite her sweet nature, Daisy Mae can be unpredictable or worrisome to others.
She has a man who's tall dark handsome large and strong
Daisy Mae has a desirable and attractive partner.
To whom she used to sing this song
Daisy Mae used to sing the following lyrics to her partner.
Hey, Daddy, I want a diamond ring, bracelets, everything
Daisy Mae is asking her partner, whom she refers to as Daddy, for luxurious gifts.
Daddy, you ought to get the best for me
Daisy Mae believes she deserves the best and expects her partner to provide it for her.
Hey, Daddy, gee, don't I look swell in sables?
Daisy Mae is showing off her fur coat and asking for more luxury clothing items.
Clothes with Paris labels?
Daisy Mae specifically desires expensive clothing from designer brands in Paris.
Here's an amazing revelation
Daisy Mae has a surprising idea to share.
With a bit of stimulation
With some encouragement or inspiration.
I'd be a great sensation
Daisy Mae has potential to become very popular or famous.
I'd be your inspiration
She wants her partner to feel inspired by her success and fame.
Daddy, I want a brand new car, champagne, caviar
Daisy Mae expands her list of desired gifts to include a car and expensive food and drink items.
Daddy, Daddy
Daisy Mae is calling out to her partner repeatedly.
You ought to get the best for me
Reiterating her expectation that her partner will provide her with the best of everything.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOBBY TROUP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CheechWizard22
60 years later and the sugar daddy/baby dynamic still hasn't changed.
@Vidgirl8
Tale as old as time
@mariatiscia3342
Not just a beautiful woman, but a beautiful singer. She unfortunately never got enough recognition.
@JSB103
True, beautiful in every way AND she has ALL the recognition in the world from ME.
@DISGUYROX
I'll C/S that. This is one of the all time greats
@LadyLakeMusic
Can’t love it enough 🍸🍸🍸
@michaelslack1
Well, let's see - leave a comment it says. So,this is just the standard against which every other version of this song sung is measured. And they just don't measure up/
@josephclark805
While the social mores of modern life indeed look askance at the sexual dynamics simmering happily away in this enchanting ditty . . . It must be said: for a woman like that to call you Daddy- you’ve got to earn EVERY PENNY of that, brother!
@sonyahannah
Can you say "sultry"?
@altaccountlelurmon1648
Alabama song 100