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.
Lady Madonna
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who find the money when you pay the rent
Did you think that money was heaven sent
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlegs
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
Pa pa pa pa,
See how they run
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
See how they run
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
The song, Lady Madonna by James Last, is a tribute to the struggles faced by working-class mothers. The lyrics depict a mother, who is struggling to make ends meet and raise her children amidst her daily struggles. The song talks about her financial hardships, as she has to pay rent and manage to find money for her children's needs. The mother, who is portrayed as a strong figure, works hard to ensure her children have a decent life, all while managing to maintain her own composure.
The song also highlights the never-ending grind of a typical week of a working-class mother. The lyrics talk about how Friday nights arrive without a suitcase, the Sunday mornings that creep like a nun, and the endless Tuesdays and Wednesdays that she has to endure. Despite all these struggles, the mother perseveres and keeps her family together, even if it means mending stockings on Thursday nights.
Overall, Lady Madonna is a tribute to the strength and resilience of working-class mothers who face daily struggles to provide for their children.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
The image of children at your feet demonstrates the idea of the immense responsibilities that you must carry as a mother.
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
It is hard to imagine how someone can effectively balance financial responsibilities and the act of being a parent.
Who find the money when you pay the rent
The logistics behind your finances and who is actually responsible for them are difficult to decipher.
Did you think that money was heaven sent
Money is not something that comes easily - do you think that it was gifted to you in some divine capacity?
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
The end of the week has arrived, but you are not quite ready for it.
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
The day in which most people find peace can sometimes be as slow and burdensome as the lifestyle of a nun.
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlegs
The start of the week ushers in another week of trying to learn the basic skills required to function in society.
See how they run
The constant movement and progression of life is evident in every aspect of our existence.
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
The image of a woman breastfeeding her child points to the intimacy and closeness between mother and child.
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
It is hard to imagine how someone with so much responsibility also manages to feed and nourish the people around them.
Pa pa pa pa,
The simple sounds of a baby eating or crying remind us of the everyday joys and hardships of parenthood.
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Sometimes, the only way to recharge as a mother is by laying down and taking a few moments to yourself.
Listen to the music playing in your head
Music is a powerful tool that provides an escape and can even serve as a reminder of what is important in life.
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Time seems to drag on much slower when you have a lot on your plate - especially on a weekday afternoon.
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Small things like a missing newspaper can cause unnecessary stress amidst the chaos of life.
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
Even something as simple as fixing a pair of stockings can add to the already long list of things to do in a day.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind