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 Just Called To Say I Love You
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring
No song to sing
In fact here's just another ordinary day
No April rain
No flowers bloom
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
Made up of these three words that I must say to you
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
No summer's high
No warm July
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
No autumn breeze
No falling leaves
Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies
No Libra sun
No Halloween
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is, though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart, of my heart
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart, baby of my heart
"I Just Called To Say I Love You" is a song about expressing love to someone on an ordinary day rather than on a special occasion. The lyrics suggest that the typical holidays and events that we celebrate throughout the year are not necessary for love to be expressed. Stevie Wonder wrote the song in 1984 for the movie "The Woman in Red."
The opening lines of the song describe a day without any special occasion or event to celebrate. Despite the lack of an occasion, the singer wants to express their love for the person on the receiving end of the call. The song goes on to describe different months and seasons throughout the year that are usually associated with specific events and celebrations. But even without those events, the singer still wants to express their love.
The lyrics suggest that love can be expressed on any ordinary day, and that expressing love shouldn't be limited to specific days or events. It's about letting someone know that you love and care for them no matter what day it is.
Overall, "I Just Called To Say I Love You" is a simple yet powerful song that celebrates the idea of expressing love on any day or occasion, and that love doesn't need special events or holidays to be celebrated.
Line by Line Meaning
No New Year's Day to celebrate
There's no special occasion or holiday that prompts me to call you, but that doesn't stop me from expressing my feelings.
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
There's no tradition of exchanging sweet treats or gifts on this day, but I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how much you mean to me.
No first of spring, no song to sing
There's nothing in nature or culture that signifies this as a time of new beginnings, but I want to use this moment to tell you how much you matter to me.
In fact here's just another ordinary day
This is a simple, unremarkable day like any other, but I don't need an excuse to reach out to tell you that I love you.
But what it is, is something true
Although the day may not be special, my emotions are genuine and sincere.
Made up of these three words that I must say to you
The message I have for you is simple and direct, but also heartfelt and important.
I just called to say I love you
My reason for reaching out is simply to express my love and affection for you.
I just called to say how much I care
I want you to know how much I value and cherish our relationship.
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
My feelings are deep and sincere and come from the truest part of my being.
No summer's high, no warm July
It may not be a time of year associated with warmth or happiness, but I still find joy in connecting with you.
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
There may not be any natural beauty or wonder to give me inspiration, but my inspiration still comes from my love for you.
No autumn breeze, no falling leaves
Even though the season may be changing, my feelings for you remain constant and unwavering.
Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies
The time may not be right for grand gestures or extravagant gestures, but I still want to reach out and connect with you.
No Libra sun, no Halloween
There may not be any astrological significance or cultural relevance to this day, but my love for you transcends all of that.
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
It may not be a time of year for giving thanks, but I still appreciate how much you bring joy and light to my life.
But what it is, though old so new
Even though this message of love may not be a new or novel one, it's still an important one that I want to share with you.
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do
I hope that this message of love fills your heart and brings you a sense of happiness and warmth that no other expression could.
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart, baby of my heart
My love for you is sincere and infinite, and I want you to know that every time I express it, I truly mean it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind