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.
Indiana Wants Me
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there,
I wish I had you to talk to.
If a man ever needed dyin', he did,
No one had the right to say what he said about you,
And it's so cold and lonely here without you.
Out there the law's a comin',
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there.
I wish I had you to talk to.
It hurts to see the man that I've become,
And to know I'll never see the morning sunshine on the land,
I'll never see your smiling face or touch your hand.
If just once more I could see you, our home and our little baby.
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there.
I wish I had you to talk to.
I hope this letter finds its way to you,
Forgive me, love, for the shame I put you through and all the tears,
Hang on, love, to the mem'ries of those happy years.
Red lights are flashin' around me
Yeah, love it looks like they found me.
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there.
I wish I had you to talk to
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there.
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there
"Indiana Wants Me" is a classic song by James Last that portrays the torment and anguish of a man who is on the run for his life. The lyrics depict a man's longing to return to Indiana, but he cannot because the law is after him. The song is a tragic tale of regret, love lost, and the consequences of one's actions.
The song begins with the singer expressing how he cannot return to Indiana despite his desire to do so because the law is after him. He talks about how he wishes he had someone to talk to, perhaps to confess or seek counsel. The singer then reflects on a man who deserved to die and how nobody had the right to speak ill of the person he could be referring to in the song. He talks about how it is lonely and cold without his loved one by his side, and how he is tired of running from the law.
The singer then regrets the man he has become, and how he will never get to see his loved one's smiling face, the morning sun, or touch her hand again. He wishes he could go back home to see his family just one more time, including his little baby. The song then ends with the singer urging his loved one to forgive him for the shame he put her through, and how he hopes she holds on to the memories of their happy years together.
Line by Line Meaning
Indiana Wants Me, Lord, I can't go back there.
I cannot return to Indiana as they are seeking me for something I might have done.
I wish I had you to talk to.
I wish I had someone who could understand my situation and talk to me.
If a man ever needed dyin', he did,
If ever someone deserved to be punished, it's him.
No one had the right to say what he said about you,
Nobody should say anything bad or hurtful about you.
And it's so cold and lonely here without you.
I feel so isolated and lonely without your presence.
Out there the law's a comin',
I can sense that the authorities are coming to catch me.
I'm gettin' so tired of runnin'
I am exhausted from evading the law.
It hurts to see the man that I've become,
I am ashamed of the person I have become due to my actions.
And to know I'll never see the morning sunshine on the land,
I regret that I will never get to experience the beauty of nature again.
I'll never see your smiling face or touch your hand.
I miss your presence and affection deeply.
If just once more I could see you, our home and our little baby.
I yearn for a final glimpse of our family and peaceful life.
I hope this letter finds its way to you,
I am sending this letter with the hope that you receive it safely.
Forgive me, love, for the shame I put you through and all the tears,
I beg for your forgiveness for causing you anguish and distress.
Hang on, love, to the mem'ries of those happy years.
Remember the joyful moments we shared together.
Red lights are flashin' around me,
Police lights are surrounding me.
Yeah, love it looks like they found me.
I believe that the authorities have finally captured me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: R. DEAN TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DehbeeSunet
I’m never ever getting over this song in life. It’s the only song that connects me with my late dad. He’d always play this at night. I feel him around me whenever I play this song. Thank you for making this piece. It’s more than just a song to me.🙏💕
@nenakalu8946
Amazing!! Oh how the memories come flooding in. Thank you Heiki.
@anthonyquainoo9701
Yeah, serious memories.
@livelong8929
Great emotional feelings back then💋
@onkemakolam
Good songs of James Last, he perform Indiana wants me better than the first
@ucheokwara4037
great song. brings back childhood memories of the eighties.
@lawlaw2195
Good old days in Nigeria in the 1970's
@emmanuelobikwu1769
this is music, excellent class - ...period!!!
@felixanenuwa6478
Thank you James,this is a life time music
@swiftbusiness2335
Who is still listening in 2019 like if you are with me!!