THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

546-Julie London-Cry Me a River.

1957-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 0.17.The songs writer Arthur Hamilton was initially concerned that listeners would hear a reference to the Crimea.

‘Cry Me a River’ was written in 1953 by Arthur Hamilton Stern, who was born on October 22nd, 1926, in Seattle, Washington, United States. In 1953 he was commissioned to write three songs for the film ‘Pete Kelly’s Blues,’ two of which were used. The third, which was rejected was ‘Cry Me a River,’ written for, and sung by Ella Fitzgerald, who finally released her version in 1961 on her Album ‘Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie.’ With the song not being used, it was offered to Peggy King, but Columbia Records refused to let her record it, objecting to the word ‘plebian,’ in the songs lyrics.The other song Hamilton is best remembered for was ‘Sing A Rainbow,’ which was also written for ‘Pete Kelly’s Blues,’ where it was performed by Peggy Lee.’Sing A Rainbow’ has become famous over the years as a tool for teaching children the names of colours, it is often erroneously called ‘I Can Sing a Rainbow’. In 1969 a recording as part of a medley by the R&B group ‘The Dells,’ reached Number 22 on Billboard.

Julie London was born Julie Peck, on September 26th, 1926, in Santa Rosa, California, United States, she died on October 18th, 2000, of what was later determined to be Cardiac arrest. London had been a chain smoker since the age of 16, and had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 1999. Between 1955-1969 London recorded 29 studio Albums, and released 29 singles, with this song being her only charting single reaching Number 9 on Billboard, and Number 22 in the UK. Before becoming a recording artist London had been an actress, appearing in her first film ‘Nabonga’ in 1944, and appearing in a further 23 through until 1968. Between 1972-1978 she appeared in all 126 episodes of the American television drama ‘Emergency!,’ playing the part of Dixie McCall R.N.

Coincidentally London and Hamilton had both attended the same high school, and ‘Cry Me a River’ was one of three songs she performed in the 1956 film ‘The Girl Can’t Help It.’ The song also appeared on her debut Album ‘Julie Is Her Name,’ recorded in 1955, and in 2016 it went through the one million sales barrier. Two other versions of the song have charted on Billboard. In 1969 Marie Knight took her recording to Number 35, and in 1970 Joe Cocker reached Number 11 with his live version. In the UK Mari Wilson reached Number 27 in 1983, Denice Welch got to Number 23 in 1995, and Michael Buble made Number 34 in 2009. A track by Justin Timberlake also called ‘Cry Me a River’ has nothing to do with this song.

‘Remember, I remember all that you said. Told me love was too plebian, told me you were through with me, and now you say you love me.’