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.
I Can't Give You Anything
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know how little I got
I can't give you anything
You think I'm kind of cute
But who's going to bring home the loot?
Make up your mind about
Hope you don't doubt that
I can't give you anything
The lyrics of James Last's song, "I Can't Give You Anything" seemingly express the singer's realization that they can't provide their love interest with the materialistic things they may desire, despite perhaps having emotional appeal. The lyrics suggest that the intended recipient of the singer's affections may find them cute, but ultimately money and resources are more important. The singer emphasizes that they do not have much, and urges the person to make up their mind about what they want. The phrase "You better know what you want" possibly indicates that the singer wants clarity regarding the person's intentions--if they are looking for love and emotional fulfillment, they may have the singer's attention, but if they want material things, the singer is not able to provide that for them,.
Ultimately, the chorus of the song, "I can't give you anything" is a repeated reminder of this fact. The song can be interpreted as a plea or declaration of love, but also serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen when relationships fail because of differences in priorities, values, and lifestyles.
Line by Line Meaning
You better know what you want
It's important that you have a clear idea of what you're looking for.
You know how little I got
You're aware of my limited resources or financial status.
I can't give you anything
I'm not able to provide you with material possessions or luxurious gifts.
You think I'm kind of cute
You find me attractive or charming in some way.
But who's going to bring home the loot?
Who will earn enough money to support us or fulfill our desires?
Make up your mind about
Decide or determine what you want or expect from me.
Hope you don't doubt that
I hope you believe or trust that I'm being honest with you.
I can't give you anything
Once again, I cannot provide you with material possessions or extravagant gifts.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEE DEE RAMONE, DOUGLAS COLVIN, JEFFREY HYMAN, JOEY RAMONE, JOHN (RAMONE) CUMMINGS, JOHNNY RAMONE, THOMAS ERDELYI, TOMMY RAMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Solitaire
@Rick, Your comment is very touching. "When the violins cry, I cry with them..."
Yes, violin arrangements were Hansi's speciality. He had a very close & special
relationship and an extraordinary expertise with arranging violins. He once said:
"Violins must breathe, just like human beings must breathe". That is the reason
why in all of his songs esp. the violins touch people so much and so deeply,
and also quite often makes them cry.... Not only in Brazil, but here in his home
country of Germany as well. And certainly in many more countries all over the
world. --
To watch this clip is sooo nostalgic for me, and now brings tears to MY eyes...
I always watched this show in my youth, each and every single edition of the
'Starparade'. It was a very big event for us in those days. For a crazy music
lover, and others, it was the highlight of the month. The quality time of pleasure
and pure happiness. The whole family was gathering and watching it together.
Those were the most wonderful times..... Nothing will ever bring them back.
But I'll never forget...!
H EA
Late 70s was the orchestra at their peak and best, IMO, great sound, great musicians, great arrangement, great everything
jack morgan
Hmmm... that concert around 2002 (European Tour) was also pretty impressive. The sound, compositions and solos were of a very high caliber.
plokijn12
his arangements are beyond magic, pure genius. Thank you James Last for all the wonderful music you gave the world, and thank you M54, you are a hero !!
maricarmen ballart lópez
estos grandes maestros han sabido adaptarse a cada época; no se asustan ante cualquier reto que se les ponga por delante, adaptando melodías de siempre a ritmos de hoy. Bravo.
hpiccov
Bravo Hansi!
plesmanhp
How come great music never fades away, is always up-beat and contemporary !! Go James Last Go !!! You know how to entertain crowds !!! Bravo !!!! Hans P. Plesman
Edileia Batista
Lindo demais Brasil.parabens James last
Haralambos Tsaktserlis
Great, great music.
A world class orchestra in it's prime.
The trumpet section was from right to left Rick Kiefer, Hakan Nyquist, Bob Lanese and Lenart Axelson.
Saxophones were Harald and Karl both very early members of the James Last band.
This was just before Derek Watkins (RIP) came in to replace Rick Kiefer I think.
Truly love this style of music and it's sad we don't see it more often these days.
Ricardo Gaerlan
+Harold Tsaktserlis Trully one that is sorely missed these days. These is what "Big Band" is. Such wonderful interpretation of different genre of music.
John Samuel
Such a lovely tune and extremely well presented by James Last Great for me to dance to ❤Dancing Spirit Unfolding