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 Only Came To Dance With You
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I only know I never want to let you go
'Cause you've started something, oh, can't you see
That ever since we met, you've had a hold on me?
It happens to be true, I only wanna be with you
It doesn't matter where you go or what you do
I want to spend each moment of the day with you
I never knew that I could be in love like this
It's crazy but it's true, I only wanna be with you
You stopped and smiled at me
And asked me if I wanna date
And I fell into your open arms
Oh, and I didn't stand a chance
Now hold on, baby
I just wanna be beside you everywhere
As long as we're together, baby, I don't care
'Cause you've started something, oh, can't you see
That ever since we met, you've had a hold on me
No matter what you do, oh, I only wanna be with you
Oh, oh, you stopped and you smiled at me
And asked if Id care to dance
I fell into your open arms
And I didn't stand a chance
Now listen, honey
I just wanna be beside you everywhere
As long as we're together, baby, I don't care
'Cause you've started something, oh, can't you see
That ever since we met, you've had a hold on me
No matter what you do, oh, I only wanna be with you
No matter what you do
I only wanna be with you
The James Last song, "I Only Want To Be With You," is an upbeat love song that tells of the powerful connection between the singer and the one he loves. The lyrics express the depth of the singer's love and the hold that his lover has over him since the moment they met. The singer says that he does not know why he loves her so much, but he knows for certain that he never wants to let her go. Her presence in his life has started something powerful that has captured his heart, and he cannot resist the hold that she has over him.
The lyrics are also infused with a sense of urgency as the singer expresses his desire to spend every moment with his lover. He is willing to go wherever she goes and do whatever she does as long as they are together. The simple act of a kiss has changed his life, and he realizes that he has never been in love like this before. He acknowledges that it may seem crazy, but the love he feels for her is real, and he only wants to be with her. The song culminates in the singer's final declaration that he only wants to be with her no matter what she does. The repetition of this line at the end reinforces the all-consuming nature of his love.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know what it is that makes me love you so
I cannot identify the specific reason why I love you so much
I only know I never want to let you go
I am sure that I never want to lose you
'Cause you've started something, oh, can't you see
You have initiated a change in me that is undeniable
That ever since we met, you've had a hold on me?
I have been captivated by you since the day we met
It happens to be true, I only wanna be with you
The truth is that I only desire to be with you
It doesn't matter where you go or what you do
Your location or activity do not alter my emotions towards you
I want to spend each moment of the day with you
I desire to be with you every moment of every day
Oh, look what has happened with just one kiss
Something inexplicable has occurred between us with a single kiss
I never knew that I could be in love like this
I was unaware that I could experience such powerful feelings for someone
It's crazy but it's true, I only wanna be with you
My desire for you may seem irrational, but it is genuine
You stopped and smiled at me
You paused and smiled in my direction
And asked me if I wanna date
You posed the question of wanting to date me
And I fell into your open arms
I surrendered myself to your loving embrace
Oh, and I didn't stand a chance
I was powerless to resist your charms
Now hold on, baby
Wait a moment, my dear
I just wanna be beside you everywhere
I desire to be near you in every location
As long as we're together, baby, I don't care
Being with you is more important than anything else
No matter what you do, oh, I only wanna be with you
My desire to be with you cannot be altered by any action you take
Oh, oh, you stopped and you smiled at me
You stopped and smiled at me once more
And asked if Id care to dance
You inquired if I wanted to dance with you
I fell into your open arms
I once again surrendered myself to you
And I didn't stand a chance
I was powerless to resist you yet again
Now listen, honey
Listen to me, my love
I just wanna be beside you everywhere
I desire to be near you in every location (reiterated)
No matter what you do, oh, I only wanna be with you
My desire to be with you remains unaffected by any action (reiterated)
Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ivor Raymonde, Michael Hawker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind