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.
Soft Summer Breeze
Julie London Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To start the morning off
In the midst of herself playin' Santa Claus
She brings gifts through her breeze
Morning rain
Gently plays her rhythms on your window pane
Givin' you no clue of when
She plans to change
And so you wait to see what she'll do
Is it sun or rain for you?
But it breaks your heart in two
When you find it's October
And she's gone, and she's gone
Summer's gone
Taking with her summer's play winter wind
Whispers to you that he wants
To be your friend
But not waitin' for your answer he begins
Forcing dangers way with his breeze
Morning snow
Plans to have a winter ball for you to throw
But just where or when he
Never let's you know
If it's snow or clear days, you'll find
And so you wait to see what he'll do
Is it sun or snow for you?
But it breaks your heart in two
'Cause you've been fooled by April
And he's gone, and he's gone
Winter's gone you find it's October
And she's gone, and she's gone
Summer's gone you've been fooled by April
And he's gone, and he's gone
Winter's gone you find it's October
And she's gone, and she's gone
Summer's gone you've been fooled by April
And he's gone, and he's gone
Winter's gone
The lyrics to Julie London's song "Soft Summer Breeze" encapsulate the fleeting nature of seasons and the emotions tied to their transitions. The opening lines evoke a gentle awakening, as summer softly kisses the listener, symbolizing the start of a new day. The personification of summer as Santa Claus, bringing gifts through her breeze, adds a touch of whimsy and generosity to the imagery.
As the song progresses, the lyrics shift to the changing seasons, specifically the transition from summer to winter. The morning rain is described as playing rhythms on the window pane, creating a soothing and contemplative atmosphere. However, there is an undercurrent of uncertainty conveyed, as the rain gives no clue about the impending change. The wait to see whether rain or sunshine will prevail mirrors the anticipation one feels in unpredictable times. The feeling of heartbreak emerges when October arrives and it becomes evident that summer has departed, leaving a space that winter and its forceful wind attempt to fill.
The portrayal of winter as a persistent presence, seeking friendship, and announcing its arrival through whispers, contrasts with the gentleness of summer. Winter's actions are described with a sense of mystery, as the listener is left unaware of the specific details of winter's plans. The anticipation and longing for clarity surrounding the weather, whether it be snow or clear days, add to the emotional landscape. The mention of April and its deceptive nature further emphasizes the theme of unpredictability and disappointment.
In summary, "Soft Summer Breeze" captures the bittersweet nature of the changing seasons, the elusiveness of their promises, and the emotions that accompany these transitions. It serves as a reminder of the transient nature of time and the need to appreciate and cherish each season as it comes and goes.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer soft wakes you up with a kiss
The gentle touch of summer greets you with affectionate tenderness
To start the morning off
Setting the tone for a fresh and promising beginning of the day
In the midst of herself playin' Santa Claus
Summer assumes the role of a generous gift-giver, bestowing presents through her breeze
She brings gifts through her breeze
The wind carries treasures and surprises, delivered by summer's whims
Morning rain
The gentle falling of raindrops in the early hours
Gently plays her rhythms on your window pane
The rain creates soothing melodies as it dances upon your windows, invoking a sense of tranquility
Givin' you no clue of when
Providing no indication or hint of the impending changes
She plans to change
Summer holds her intentions close, determining when to shift from rain to sunshine
To bring rain or sunshine
Deciding whether to bless you with showers or dazzle you with radiant rays
And so you wait to see what she'll do
Anticipating and observing summer's choices with eager curiosity
Is it sun or rain for you?
Contemplating the weather's impact on your day, pondering if it will be sunny or rainy
But it breaks your heart in two
However, disappointment strikes deeply, causing emotional pain
When you find it's October
The realization dawns upon you that summer has bid farewell, and autumn has taken its place
And she's gone, and she's gone
Summer has departed, leaving an absence in her wake
Taking with her summer's play
Carrying away the joyous activities and carefree spirit of the warm season
Winter wind whispers to you that he wants
The chilly wind of winter softly communicates his desire
To be your friend
Longing to establish a companionship with you
But not waitin' for your answer he begins
Impatient to initiate his interactions, winter commences his influence without awaiting your response
Forcing dangers way with his breeze
Asserting his power, he drives away potential hazards with his gusts
Morning snow
The delicate descending of snowflakes during the early hours
Plans to have a winter ball for you to throw
Winter envisions organizing a grand celebration for you to host and revel in
But just where or when he
However, he remains elusive and mysterious, not disclosing the specifics
Never let's you know
Keeping you uninformed, he withholds the information
If it's snow or clear days, you'll find
Uncertainty prevails as you wait to discover whether it will be snowy or marked by clear skies
And so you wait to see what he'll do
Once again, anticipation prevails, observing winter's actions with curiosity
Is it sun or snow for you?
Contemplating the nature of the weather, wondering if it will bring warmth or snowfall
But it breaks your heart in two
Yet, once more, disillusionment strikes with great emotional impact
'Cause you've been fooled by April
Realizing that the month of April has deceived you
And he's gone, and he's gone
April has disappeared, leaving you in a state of longing
Winter's gone you find it's October
After the departure of winter, you discover that October has arrived
And she's gone, and she's gone
Summer, too, has vanished, leaving you with a sense of loss
Summer's gone you've been fooled by April
Having experienced the departure of summer, you reflect on being deceived by April
And he's gone, and he's gone
April has also disappeared, leaving you longing once again
Winter's gone you find it's October
Discovering that winter has passed, and October has arrived
And she's gone, and she's gone
Summer has departed, leaving you with a void
Summer's gone you've been fooled by April
Reflecting on the vanished summer, realizing you were deceived by April
And he's gone, and he's gone
April, too, has disappeared, causing longing and yearning
Winter's gone
Winter has concluded its stay
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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