Last learned how to play piano as child, switching to bass as a teenager. He joined Hans-Gunther Oesterreich's Radio Bremen Dance Orchestra in 1946, when he was 17 years old. In 1948, he became the leader of the Becker-Last Ensemble, which performed for seven years. During that time, he was voted as the best bassist in the country by a German jazz poll for three consecutive years, from 1950-1952. After the disbandment of the Becker-Last Ensemble, he became the in-house arranger for Polydor Records, as well as for a number of European radio stations. For the next decade, he helped arrange hits for artists like Helmut Zacharias and Caterina Valente.
Last released his first album "Non-Stop Dancing" in 1965. The record of brief renditions of popular songs, all tied together by an insistent dance beat and joyous crowd noises. It was a hit and helped make him a major European star. Over the next four decades, Last has released over 190 records, including several more volumes of Non-Stop Dancing. On these records, he varies his formula by adding different songs from different countries and genres, as well as guest performers like Richard Clayderman and Astrud Gilberto.
Though his concerts and albums are consistently successful — especially in England, where he had 52 hit albums between 1967-1986, which made him second to Elvis Presley in terms of number of charting records — he has only had two hit singles with "The Seduction," the theme from American Gigolo (1980) and Biscaya from the album "Biscaya".
He has won numerous polls and prizes, for example Billboard magazine's "Star of the year" trophy in 1976, and has been honored for his lifework with the German ECHO prize in 1994.
The song "The Lonely Shepherd", written by Last and performed by Gheorghe Zamfir and the James Last Orchestra, was featured in the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's film "Kill Bill Vol. 1" (2003).
Personally, he divides his time between Florida and Germany. He gives much credit to his wife and son, who helps with the music.
All You Need Is Love
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
There's nothing you can do that can't be done
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy
Nothing you can make that can't be made
No one you can save that can't be saved
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It's easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
Nothing you can know that isn't known
Nothing you can see that isn't shown
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
All you need is love (All together, now!)
All you need is love (Everybody!)
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need (love is all you need)
Yee-hai!
Oh yeah!
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah
The song "All You Need Is Love" by James Last is a love song with a powerful message. The song's title serves as the central message of the song - that love is essential and all-encompassing. The repetition of the phrase "Love, love, love" drives home the point that love is the most important thing in the world.
The verses of the song highlight the idea that there is nothing that cannot be done when love is present. The lyrics suggest that when someone has love, they are equipped to live their best lives because nothing is impossible. The song talks about the importance of being true to oneself, as the line "Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time" suggests. This idea of self-discovery and self-acceptance is another aspect of the song's message of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, love, love
The song emphasizes the importance of love above all else.
Love, love, love
Reiterating the importance of love in different words.
Love, love, love
Continuing to emphasize love.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done
There is no task that can't be accomplished; anything is possible.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung
Any song can be sung, and any message can be communicated through music.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
There is nothing you can say or do that you can't learn or improve upon, and with some effort, you can become skilled at it.
It's easy
Learning and improving is easy, once you put your mind to it.
Nothing you can make that can't be made
Anything you can imagine, you can create and bring to life.
No one you can save that can't be saved
Every person can be helped in some way and supported through their struggles.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
You are unique, and embracing that is a process that takes time and commitment, but it's possible.
All you need is love
Love is the essential element that brings everything together and makes life meaningful.
All you need is love, love
Emphasizing again how fundamental love is to our lives.
Love is all you need
The simple, straightforward message of the song: love is the most important thing of all.
Nothing you can know that isn't known
Every piece of knowledge that exists is just waiting to be discovered and learned.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown
Everything is visible in some way, and through observation and exploration, we can uncover the beauty and wonder that surrounds us.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
Every experience, every moment, is where you are meant to be, and there is significance in every part of life's journey.
All you need is love
Restating that love is the key to everything.
All you need is love, love
Emphasizing once more the power of love.
All together, now!
Encouraging everyone to come together and celebrate the universality of love.
Everybody!
Including everyone in the message of the song, that love is all we need.
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah
Closing the song with a personal message of love and connection.
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah
Repeating the message of love one final time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind