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.
Happy Heart
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're close to me, you will hear it
It's the sound that lovers hear finally will discover
When there is no other for their love
It's my happy heart you hear
Singing loud and singing clear
And it's all because you're near me, my love
Take my happy heart away
Make me love you, make my day
In your arms I want to stay, oh, my love
Feeling more and more like I've never felt before
You have changed my life so completely
Music fills my soul now, I've lost all control now
I'm not half, I'm whole now with your love
It's my happy heart you hear
Singing loud and singing clear
And it's all because you're near me my love
Take my happy heart away
Make me love you, make my day
In your arms I want to stay, oh, my love
It's my happy heart
Can't you hear my happy heart in love?
It's my happy heart, my happy heart you hear
In your arms, in your arms I wanna stay
Oh, my love, oh
In my happy heart
Oh, won't you be, won't you be my happy heart
The song "Happy Heart" by James Last is a love song that talks about the experience of falling in love and how it affects the heart of the person who falls. It evokes a sense of joy and happiness that comes with the realization that one has finally found the one they have been looking for. The opening line suggests that the sound of love and happiness that the singer experiences follows him around, a testament to the intensity of the emotion he feels for his significant other. The lyrics then describe how the sound of love is amplified whenever the lover is close, and how it fills the soul with blissful harmony. The song also conveys how love can transform someone's life completely. The singer's happy heart is heard singing loud and clear, a byproduct of the constant presence of his loved one. The chorus reinforces the idea of how love makes everything better, making the day brighter.
As the song progresses, it becomes evident that the singer is entirely consumed by love, having lost all control. The final verse seeks to solidify the idea of how much the singer longs to remain in the arms of their loved one, where he experiences the ultimate feeling of happiness. The song ends with a plea for the beloved to be their happy heart, highlighting how love can often be the most significant source of joy in a person's life.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a certain sound, always follows me around
Every time I'm near you, there's a distinct sound that I hear.
When you're close to me, you will hear it
I want you to experience this sound I hear when we're close.
It's the sound that lovers hear finally will discover
This sound is the pining of two lovers finally coming together.
When there is no other for their love
No one but you makes my heart resonate with this unique sound.
It's my happy heart you hear
This sound is the pure happiness that I feel when I'm with you.
Singing loud and singing clear
I'm so overwhelmed with joy that I can't contain it, and it's evident in the sound.
And it's all because you're near me, my love
It's only you that fills me with such intense happiness and love.
Take my happy heart away
Don’t let go of me, remain with me always. I never want to lose you.
Make me love you, make my day
Your presence is what fuels my passion and brings light into my day.
In your arms I want to stay, oh, my love
I find utmost comfort in your embrace because it's only in your arms I feel at home.
Feeling more and more like I've never felt before
My love for you keeps growing stronger and stronger every day.
You have changed my life so completely
You've transformed every aspect of my life and I'm forever grateful.
Music fills my soul now, I've lost all control now
My heart is so consumed with our love that I'm powerless to its effects.
I'm not half, I'm whole now with your love
Your love has given me completeness where I was once incomplete.
It's my happy heart
My love for you fills me with a joyful and blissful heart.
Can't you hear my happy heart in love?
My love-filled happiness is so loud and clear, can't you hear it too?
In your arms, in your arms I wanna stay
My ultimate desire is to stay close to you, forever and always.
Oh, won't you be, won't you be my happy heart
Please never leave me and be the cause of all of my happiness, my love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JACKIE RAE, JAMES LAST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Muhidin Tahir
James Last he’s music I really enjoy and great personality decent human being. Even though never met him , I admire him
Moriguchi Taiichi
This music always make me positive. Nice play !!
Stewart Gellatly
The passing of James Last and his wonderful players left a huge void in the world of music. They are not easily forgotten. This great melody composed by James Last befits our memories of them.
Enrique Reyes
Estupenda interpretación
James Sullivan
Happy Heart is the right title for this song because that's the way it makes you feel.
Giacomo Lorenzetti
Stupenda come gran parte della sua produzione. Di questa melodia, esiste una versione cantata di Petula Clark. Last e' stato un grandissimo, ha reso popolare la musica classica creando arrangiamenti moderni meravigliosi avvicinando così i giovani o ai non amanti del genere, a questo tipo di musica.
Daniel Fronc
A forgotten gem.
luisa rebecca
CUANTOS GRATOS RECUERDOS...
Александр Захаров
Ганс,супер!
Bill Bright
Just to know you’re out there, wishing on the same bright star 🌟, peace ☮️ 💕 love.