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.
Black Is Black
James Last Lyrics
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It's grey, it's grey, since she went away, oh oh
What can I do, 'cause I, I'm feelin' blue
If I had my way, she'd be here today
But she'd go in time, and leave me to cry again, oh no
What can I do, 'cause I, I'm feelin' blue
Maybe if she would come back to me, then I can't go wrong
Bad is bad, that I feel so sad
It's time, it's time, that I felt peace of mind, oh oh
What can I do, 'cause I, I'm feelin' blue
I can't choose, it's too much to lose when our love's too strong
Maybe if she would come back to me, then I can't go wrong
Black is black, I want my baby back
It's grey, it's grey, since she went away, oh oh
What can I do, 'cause I, I'm feelin' blue
'Cause I, I'm feelin' blue, 'cause I, I'm feelin' blue
The song "Black Is Black" by James Last is a heart-wrenching song about a man who is deeply in love with a woman who has left him. He is feeling incredibly sad, as he misses her desperately and cannot seem to move on. The lyrics refer to how his world is grey and how he is feeling blue since she has gone away. The only thing he wants is for her to come back to him, so he can feel whole again. However, he knows that even if she were to come back, she might leave again, and he would be left feeling just as sad and alone as before.
The song's lyrics are simple, yet poignant, as they perfectly capture the feelings of loneliness and heartbreak that can come with a failed relationship. The repetition of the lines "Black is black, I want my baby back" and "What can I do, 'cause I, I'm feelin' blue" emphasize just how deeply the singer is feeling his loss. The chorus urging the woman to come back to him highlights his desperation to feel whole again.
Overall, "Black Is Black" is a beautiful and emotional ballad that expresses the depths of despair experienced after a breakup. The simple lyrics and catchy melody make it a classic song that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Black is black, I want my baby back
I am feeling unhappy and empty without the presence of my loved one, and I want them back in my life.
It's grey, it's grey, since she went away, oh oh
Ever since my partner left my life, everything seems dull and uninteresting, and I feel lonely and sad.
What can I do, 'cause I, I'm feelin' blue
I am unable to find any solution to my despair caused by the absence of my love interest.
If I had my way, she'd be here today
If I could control the circumstance, I would want my partner to be with me right now.
But she'd go in time, and leave me to cry again, oh no
However, I know that eventually, my partner would leave again, causing me to feel the same pain and sadness.
I can't choose, it's too much to lose when our love's too strong
I cannot afford to let go of our relationship as our love for each other is too strong to lose.
Maybe if she would come back to me, then I can't go wrong
If my partner decided to return to me, it would undoubtedly be the right decision, and I wouldn't have any regrets.
Bad is bad, that I feel so sad
It is terrible that I am constantly feeling unhappy and dejected.
It's time, it's time, that I felt peace of mind, oh oh
I am ready to let go of my pain and find inner peace and happiness.
'Cause I, I'm feelin' blue, 'cause I, I'm feelin' blue
The repeated line emphasizes that the artist is consumed by their sadness and despair.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Anthony Hayes, Michelle Grainger, Steve Wadey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind