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 Hear You Knockin'
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And now you're knockin' on my door
I hear you knocking but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I begged you not to go, but you said goodbye
And now you tell me all your lies
I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
You better get back to your use to be
'Cause your kind of love ain't good for me
I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I told you way back in Fifty Two
That I would never go with you
I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
The lyrics of James Last's song, "I Hear You Knockin'" are a reflection of a past love that is trying to come back into the singer's life, but is ultimately rejected. The first verse sets the scene of the singer being left by their lover a long time ago, only to have them return and knock on the door. The singer acknowledges the knocking, but makes it clear that the former lover is not welcome back in their life. The second verse emphasizes the rejection even further by warning the ex-lover that their kind of love is not good for the singer and that they should go back to where they came from.
The third verse gives insight into the history of the relationship, with the singer recalling that as far back as 1952 they had rejected the former lover's advances. This verse gives a sense of finality to the rejection, as it seems that the singer has already made up their mind about the former lover.
The song overall is a statement of rejection and the finality of a love that is no longer welcomed. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, conveying the raw emotions of a person who has moved on from a past relationship and is not willing to entertain a return.
Line by Line Meaning
You went away and left me long time ago
You departed and abandoned me quite some time back
And now you're knockin' on my door
And now you are here at my door, knocking
I hear you knocking but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, but I won't let you in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I hear you knocking, so return to your previous location
I begged you not to go, but you said goodbye
I pleaded with you not to leave, but you still said farewell
And now you tell me all your lies
And now you're trying to deceive me with your untruths
You better get back to your use to be
You should return to the place or person you were accustomed to
'Cause your kind of love ain't good for me
Because your style of affection doesn't fit me well
I told you way back in Fifty Two
I warned you long ago, back in 1952
That I would never go with you
That I would never be with you
I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, but you still can't come in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I hear you knocking, so return to your previous location
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Pearl King, Dave Bartholomew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind