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.
Banks of the Ohio
James Last Lyrics
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To take a walk, just a little walk
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
And only say that you'll be mine
In no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
I held a knife against his breast
As into my arms he pressed
He cried "my love, don't you murder me
I'm not prepared for eternity"
I wandered home 'tween twelve and one
I cried, "My God, what have I done?"
I've killed the only man I love
He would not take me for his bride
And only say that you'll be mine
In no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio
The lyrics of James Last's song "Banks of the Ohio" depict a tragic love story with a brutal twist. The singer asks his love to take a walk by the river's edge, where they have been before. He pleads with her to only be his and nobody else's, down beside the waters of the Ohio river. However, the song takes a dark turn, as the singer confesses that he held a knife to his lover's chest and killed him as he cried and begged for mercy. The singer regrets his actions and wanders home, haunted by the memory of what he has done.
This song is a traditional American murder ballad that has been passed down over generations, with many different versions and variations in lyrics. The earliest known version dates back to 1878 and was called "On the Banks of the Ohio." The song has been covered by artists such as Johnny Cash, Olivia Newton-John, and Joan Baez. It has been interpreted by many as a cautionary tale about the dangers of jealousy and possessiveness in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I asked my love to take a walk
I requested my lover to come with me for a stroll
To take a walk, just a little walk
We weren't going for a long walk or any particular destination
Down beside where the waters flow
We were heading towards the river's edge
Down by the banks of the Ohio
We were specifically going to the banks of the Ohio river
And only say that you'll be mine
I want you to love me and no one else, and say it now
In no others' arms entwine
Promise me you won't hold another person like you hold me
I held a knife against his breast
I put a knife on his chest
As into my arms he pressed
As he tried to hold me close
He cried "my love, don't you murder me
He pleaded with me not to kill him
I'm not prepared for eternity"
He expressed he was not ready to die
I wandered home 'tween twelve and one
I walked home between midnight and one in the morning
I cried, "My God, what have I done?"
I realized the magnitude of the crime I committed and anguished over it
I've killed the only man I love
I killed the man I loved the most in the world
He would not take me for his bride
He didn't want to marry me
Writer(s): James Last, Dp
Contributed by Miles V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paweł Borkowski
Beautiful!!!!
Paweł Borkowski
Thanks you very much.
Sookja Kang
My all time favorite!
Cerin Amroth
Can someone write down this lyrics version please? The ones on google aren't exactly the same being sung here and I'm not fluent listening in English. Thank you!
cor vankroonenburg
het blijft de beste