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.
Little Things Mean A Lot
Julie London Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say I look nice when I'm not
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Little things mean a lot
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you're far away
Little things mean a lot
Champagne, sables and such
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
But honestly honey, they just cost money
Give me your hand when I've lost the way
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Whether the day is bright or gray give me your heart to rely on
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven't forgot
Now and forever , that always and ever
Little things mean a lot
Blow me a kiss from across the room
Say I look nice when I'm not
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Little things mean a lot
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you're far away
Little things mean a lot
Don't have to buy me diamonds and pearls
Champagne, sables and such
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
But honestly honey, they just cost money
Give me your hand when I've lost the way
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Whether the day is bright or gray give me your heart to rely on
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven't forgot
Now and forever , that always and ever
Little things mean a lot
In Julie London's song "Little Things Mean A Lot," she emphasizes the power of simple gestures and actions that can have a significant impact on a relationship. The lyrics describe how small things like blowing a kiss from across the room, complimenting someone when they least expect it or touching their hair as they walk by, can be more meaningful than grand gestures. London sings about the significance of a partner showing physical affection, such as giving her their arm when they're walking or holding her hand when she's lost. She also highlights the importance of communication, describing how a daily line from a significant other when they're far away can mean just as much as any other grandiose expression.
The song is all about recognizing the little things that make a difference in a relationship, and how small gestures can be just as impactful as costly ones. The message is not just about romantic relationships, but it also applies to all kinds of relationships, friendships, family relationships, and beyond. This song is a reminder that often, it's the little things that we overlook that have the biggest impact on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Blow me a kiss from across the room
Express your love and feelings for me, even from a distance
Say I look nice when I'm not
Compliment me and show that you appreciate me, even on off-days
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Show me affection and that you are thinking of me, even in small gestures
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Protect and care for me, even in mundane activities
Call me at six on the dot
Be reliable and punctual with communication, showing that I am a priority
A line a day when you're far away
Stay in touch and keep the connection strong, even when physically distant
Don't have to buy me diamonds and pearls
Material possessions are not necessary to show love or affection
Champagne, sables and such
Luxury items are nice, but not essential to a relationship
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
I value emotional connection and effort more than material possessions
But honestly honey, they just cost money
Acknowledging the reality that material items can be expensive and not as meaningful
Give me your hand when I've lost the way
Be supportive and guide me through difficult times
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Provide emotional support and comfort when I am upset
Whether the day is bright or gray give me your heart to rely on
Offer me emotional stability and security in any circumstance
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
Show me love and appreciation in subtle, intimate ways
To show me you haven't forgot
Demonstrate that you remember and care for me, even in small ways
Now and forever , that always and ever
Expressing a desire for a consistent, long-lasting love and relationship
Little things mean a lot
Small actions and gestures can have a significant impact on a relationship and demonstrate love and affection
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL STUTZ, EDITH L CALISCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RuthLawson-uq9ky
What a lovely singer this lady I love Julie London's voice
@ghtsw11
Such a sultry and beautiful voice - an ideal song for her.
@davidm2688
I remember her well as Dixie McCall in "Emergency!". She always had looks, style, class and a voice like peaches and cream. They just don't make 'em like her anymore...sigh.