The End of the World cover

The End of the World

Julie London · 1963

32 min · 12 tracks · jazz

Smooth jazz vocals intertwine with lush orchestral arrangements, creating an intimate and melancholic atmosphere throughout the album.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The End of the World — This title track captures the album's emotional core with its haunting arrangement and London’s expressive delivery, encapsulating themes of loss and longing.
  • →
    I Wanna Be Around — With its playful yet poignant lyrics, this track highlights London's ability to convey complex emotions effortlessly, making it a standout moment on the album.
  • →
    Fly Me to the Moon — London's interpretation of this classic is both tender and sophisticated, showcasing her signature vocal phrasing that breathes new life into familiar melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz and pop standards with strong orchestration, showcasing London's vocal style effectively.

What we noticed

  • The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement London's smooth vocal delivery, creating a rich sonic texture.
  • Each track is structured around a central melody, with London's vocals often taking the lead while strings and horns provide harmonic support.
  • Several tracks include subtle tempo changes, allowing for moments of tension and release that enhance the emotional impact of the songs.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady melodic flow throughout
  • smoky vocals for late nights
  • intimate moments for reflection
  • short tracks for easy listening

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking high-energy anthems
  • prefer longer, sprawling albums

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1963, The End of the World was Julie London's twelfth studio album, coming at a time when she was already an established figure in the jazz and pop scenes. This album followed her successful work in the late 1950s and early 1960s, positioning her as a quintessential interpreter of contemporary standards.
Stylistic neighbors
Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan· Nina Simone

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 The End of the World 2:47
  • 2 I Wanna Be Around 2:00
  • 3 Call Me Irresponsible 2:49
  • 4 Our Day Will Come 2:22
  • 5 I Left My Heart in San Francisco 2:49
  • 6 Fly Me to the Moon 2:35
  • 7 Days of Wine and Roses 2:53
  • 8 I Remember You 2:36
  • 9 My Coloring Book 3:32
  • 10 Chances Are 3:01
  • 11 Slightly Out of Tune (Desafinado) 2:06
  • 12 The Good Life 2:55

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata