THE
1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
546-Julie London-Cry Me a River.
1967-Number 22 single.
Best Bit-At 0.16. The songs writer Arthur Hamilton was initially concerned that
listeners would hear a reference to ‘Crimea,’ rather than ‘cry me a.’
Julie London was born Julie Peck on September 26th, 1926, in Santa Rosa,
California, United States, she died on October 18th, 2000, at the age of 74, of
what was later determined to be Cardiac arrest. In 1995 she had suffered a
stroke, and remained in poor health for the following five years. She had been
a chain smoker since the age of 16, and was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1999,
but forewent treatment due to her weakened physical state. Prior to becoming a
singer Julie London had been an actress, beginning her acting career in 1944,
in the film ‘Nabonga.’ In total she would appear in 24 films between 1944-1968.
In later years Julie London would become best known for appearing in all 126
episodes of the American ‘NBC’ action-adventure medical drama television series
‘Emergency!,’ where she played the part of ‘Dixie McCall R.N.’ In the drama she
co-starred with her second husband Bobby Troup, (1918-1999) who played the role
of Dr. Joe Early. The show had been co-created, and co-produced by Julie
London’s first husband Jack Webb, (1920-1982) they had been married between
1947-1954, and had two children together. Due to her striking good looks, Julie
London established herself as a ‘pin-up girl’ during World War II.
The discography of Julie London includes 29 studio Albums released between
1955-1969, and 29 singles released within the same time period, there are also
five official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on
the Billboard Hot 100, her only top 40 chart entry is ‘Cry M a River,’ which
reached Number 9 in 1955, while that song is also her only top 40 charting
single in the UK as well. Julie London who recorded in the genres of ‘Jazz,’
and ‘Pop,’ is recognised as one of the leading exponents in ‘Torch Singing.’ A
‘torch song’ is a sentimental love song, typically one in which the singer
laments an unrequited or lost love, either where one party is oblivious to the
existence of the other, where one party has moved on, or where a romantic
affair has affected the relationship. The term comes from the saying, ‘to carry
a torch for someone,’ or to keep aflame the light of an unrequited love.
‘Cry Me a River’ was the only single released from ‘Julie Is Her Name,’ the
debut studio Album by Julie London, from December 1955. The song was written by
Arthur Hamilton, with the production being by Bobby Troup, backing Julie London
on the track were Barney Kessel, (1923-2004) on guitar, and Ray Leatherwood,
(1914-1996) on bass. Arthur Hamilton was born Arthur Hamilton Stern on October
22nd, 1926, in Seattle, Washington, United States. In 1953 Arthur Hamilton was
commissioned by Jack Webb 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 performed by Ella Fitzgerald, (1917-1996) (see also
best songs 944-702-286-231 and 100) who would eventually release her version in
1961, on her Album ‘Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie.’ With ‘Cry Me a River’
being discarded it was offered to the American Jazz singer Peggy King, but
‘Columbia Records’ refused to let her record it, objecting to the word
‘plebian,’ in the songs lyrics. The other song Arthur Hamilton is best
remembered for is ‘Sing a Rainbow,’ which was also written for ‘Pete Kelly’s
Blues,’ where it was performed by Peggy Lee (1920-2002) (see also best songs
468.) ‘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 of the song as part of a medley by the American
R&B group ‘The Dells,’ reached Number 22 on Billboard. Coincidentally
Arthur Hamilton, and Julie London had both attended the same high school.
After ‘Cry M a River’ had been rejected for the film ‘Pete Kelly’s Blues,’
Julie London recorded the song for her 1955 debut Album, and then she performed
it in the 1956 musical comedy film ‘The Girl Can’t Help It.’ Due to it’s
success in the film, the song became a hit, 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
Bublé made Number 34 in 2009. A track by Justin Timberlake also called ‘Cry Me
a River’ (2002) has nothing to do with this song.
Arthur Hamilton has said of ‘Cry Me a River,’ ‘I had never heard the phrase. I
just liked the combination of words. Instead of ‘Eat your heart out,’ or ‘I’ll
get even with you,’ it sounded like a good, smart retort to somebody who had
hurt your feelings. or broken your heart.’
‘You drove me, nearly drove me out of my head. while you never shed a tear.
Remember, I remember, all that you said. Told me love was too plebeian, told me
you were through with me, and now you say you love me, just to prove you do.
Well cry me a river, cry me a river, I cried a river over you.’