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 of Spain
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right from the night I first saw you
My heart has been yearning for you
What else could any heart do
Lady of Spain I'm appealing
Why should my lips be concealing
All that my eyes are revealing
Night in Madrid, blue and tender
Spanish moon makes silver splendor
Music throbbing plaintive sobbing notes of a guitar
While ardent Caballero serenades
Lady of Spain I adore you
Right from the night I first saw you
My heart has been yearning for you
What else could any heart do
Lady of Spain I'm appealing
Why should my lips be concealing
All that my eyes are revealing
Lady of Spain, I love you
The song "Granada/Lady of Spain" by James Last is a tribute to Lady of Spain, a nickname for Spain's popular folk song "La Canción del Olé." The song expresses the singer's love and admiration for the Lady of Spain, who he has been yearning for since the night he first saw her. The lyrics of the song are primarily delivered in a romantic and poetic manner, giving the listener a taste of Spain's rich culture and tradition.
The opening lines "Lady of Spain I adore you, Right from the night I first saw you" lays down the foundation of the song, as the singer explains his undying love for the Lady of Spain. The lyrics go on to describe the beauty and magic of Madrid, that is further amplified by the night's gentle and soothing breeze. The scene is set in a romantic backdrop, with a Spanish moon making silver splendor, and the gentle music notes of the guitar filling the air.
The chorus of the song repeats the same lyrics twice, highlighting the singer's intense adoration for the Lady of Spain. The song then ends with the final lines "Lady of Spain, I love you," which all but confirms the sincerity of the singer's affection.
Overall, the song is a mesmerizing tribute to the beauty of Spain, its rich cultural heritage, and the romanticism that has been associated with the country for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady of Spain I adore you
I deeply admire you, Lady of Spain
Right from the night I first saw you
From the very moment I laid my eyes on you
My heart has been yearning for you
My heart has been longing for you
What else could any heart do
It's natural for any heart to feel this way about you
Lady of Spain I'm appealing
I'm making a plea to you, Lady of Spain
Why should my lips be concealing
There's no reason for me to hide how I feel about you
All that my eyes are revealing
My eyes show how much I truly love you
Lady of Spain, I love you
I'm in love with you, Lady of Spain
Night in Madrid, blue and tender
In the evening, Madrid is calm and serene
Spanish moon makes silver splendor
The moon in Spain creates a beautiful, silver glow
Music throbbing plaintive sobbing notes of a guitar
The guitar music is full of emotion and heartache
While ardent Caballero serenades
A passionate gentleman is singing a love song to someone
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Tilsley, Robert Hargreaves, Stanley Damerell, Tolchard Evans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dark-Annie
Probablemente, esta melodía, esta versión sea la música más significativa en toda mi vida, fue el primer artista del que fui fan, desde los 5 meses de nacida, esta es la primera canción que escuché de él probablemente, la primera del DVD Gentleman of Music, el que veía todos los días sin parar, Hansi, donde quiera que estés, gracias por toda la música que nos diste ♡
Jesus Moreno
La mejor interpretación de Granada que he escuchado. Saludos desde México.
Liem Nguyen
I would like to send my congratulations to the production's musical Director , Composer James Last and to all the performers, and musicians involved in this truly extraordinary SHOW! I am sure that the follow up to the JAMES LAST and His Orchestra plays Medley: GRANADA/ LADY of SPAIN will be an equally tremendous success! This a production of highest value, captures the grace, elegance, and outstanding performances of music Yesterday & Today; The Best Show in the World! Love, cheers... Liem Nguyen
תמר הילמן
מוזיקה איכותית עם גוונים וצבע שנדירים בימים אלה...
Corvette Man
Superb sound...and tempo...excellent 💓.
Nabucco
Hermosa musica del compositor Agustin Lara de Veracruz.
André Lust andre
Zeer mooi muziek van James last 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
Следопыт
Очень интересная тема, и так мало просмотров.
Nilda Dela Rosa
Wonderful in this affair WITH amazing Mr, JAMES LAST .
Earl Schofield
The happiest music I've ever heard