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.
Lay All Your Love On Me
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now every woman I see is a potential threat
And I'm possessive, it isn't nice
You've heard me saying that smoking was my only vice
But now it isn't true
Now everything is new
And all I've learned has overturned
I beg of you
Don't go wasting your emotion
Lay all your love on me
(Don't go sharing your devotion)
It was like shooting a sitting duck
A little smalltalk, a smile and baby I was stuck
I still don't know what you've done with me
A grown-up woman should never fall so easily
I feel a kind of fear
When I don't have you near
Unsatisfied, I skip my pride
I beg you dear
Don't go wasting your emotion
Lay all your love on me
Don't go sharing your devotion
Lay all your love on me
I've had a few little love affairs
They didn't last very long and they've been pretty scarce
I used to think I was sensible
It makes the truth even more incomprehensible
'Cause everything is new
And everything is you
And all I've learned has overturned
What can I do
Don't go wasting your emotion
Lay all your love on me
Don't go sharing your devotion
Lay all your love on me
The song "Lay All Your Love On Me" by James Last features a narrator who expresses his increasing possessiveness and fear of losing his lover. Prior to meeting his lover, he claims that he was never a jealous person, but now he sees every woman as a potential threat. He admits that he is possessive, and though it may not be considered a desirable trait, it is something he cannot help. He further reveals that he has lied about smoking being his only vice because now his lover is his new addiction. The singer then pleads with his lover to lay all her love on him and not waste her emotions on anyone else.
The second verse explains how the singer fell in love with his lover. He likens it to shooting a sitting duck, indicating that his lover was an easy catch. He initially questions what his lover has done to him, as a grown-up woman should never fall so easily for someone. He admits to feeling a kind of fear when he is not near his lover, indicating a heightened sense of attachment. The singer further admits that he has had minor love affairs in the past, but they never lasted long. He is surprised at how much he has changed and how his lover has become his new obsession.
The song captures the intensity of an individual's attachment to their lover. The singer's fear of abandonment and possessiveness may be considered undesirable traits by some, but they also indicate his deep devotion towards his lover. The lyrics urge the lover to devote all their love and emotion to the singer and not to waste it on anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
I wasn't jealous before we met
Prior to meeting you, I didn't experience feelings of jealousy.
Now every woman I see is a potential threat
Since meeting you, I view every woman I encounter as a potential rival for your affection.
And I'm possessive, it isn't nice
I recognize that my possessive nature towards you, while an expression of my love, is not a desirable trait.
You've heard me saying that smoking was my only vice
You remember me stating that smoking was the only negative habit I previously indulged in.
But now it isn't true
Since loving you, I have acquired new vices.
Now everything is new
My life feels fresh and exciting with you in it.
And all I've learned has overturned
My past experiences and beliefs have been challenged and changed by my love for you.
I beg of you
I implore you to take pity on me and grant me your love.
Don't go wasting your emotion
Don't exhaust your feelings on someone else or on things that aren't truly deserving.
Lay all your love on me
Give all of your affection solely to me.
(Don't go sharing your devotion)
(Don't divide your love and devotion amongst other people or things).
It was like shooting a sitting duck
My attraction to you was as easy and natural as shooting a prey that couldn't move or resist.
A little smalltalk, a smile and baby I was stuck
You got me hooked with just a little friendly conversation and a smile.
I still don't know what you've done with me
I'm still confused as to how you've completely captured my heart and mind.
A grown-up woman should never fall so easily
I acknowledge that as an adult, you shouldn't be so easily swayed by love, but I'm grateful that you fell for me.
I feel a kind of fear
My love for you is accompanied by a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty.
When I don't have you near
Being physically distant from you heightens my anxiety and worry.
Unsatisfied, I skip my pride
Despite being dissatisfied with our distance, I swallow my pride and hold onto hope for our future together.
I beg you dear
I plead with you to hold onto me and keep me in your heart.
I've had a few little love affairs
I've had brief romantic flings in the past.
They didn't last very long and they've been pretty scarce
These flings didn't last long and haven't been numerous or notable.
I used to think I was sensible
I previously believed myself to be practical and rational when it came to love.
It makes the truth even more incomprehensible
But now, with you, it's difficult for me to understand how I could have ever been so logical about love.
What can I do
I'm desperately seeking guidance on how to keep you and protect our love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind