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.
Lili Marlene
James Last Lyrics
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I'll always stand and wait for you at night
We will create a world for two
I'll wait for you the whole night through
For you, Lili Marlene
For you, Lili Marlene
Bugler tonight don't play the call to arms
Then we will say goodbye and part
I'll always keep you in my heart
With me, Lili Marlene
With me, Lili Marlene
Give me a rose to show how much you care
Tie to the stem a lock of golden hair
Surely tomorrow, you'll feel blue
But then will come a love that's new
For you, Lili Marlene
For you, Lili Marlene
When we are marching in the mud and cold
And when my pack seems more than I can hold
My love for you renews my might
I'm warm again, my pack is light
It's you, Lili Marlene
It's you, Lili Marlene
My love for you renews my might
I'm warm again, my pack is light
It's you, Lili Marlene
It's you, Lili Marlene
The song "Lili Marlene" by James Last is a classic love song which tells the story of two young lovers who meet and fall in love during the war. It is a haunting ballad which has become one of the most popular songs of all time. The song talks about the soldier waiting for his lover under a corner light outside the barracks. He promises her that they will create a world for two and that he will wait for her the whole night through. He assures her that he will always keep her in his heart.
The second stanza of the song asks the bugler not to play the call to arms. The soldier wishes to spend another evening with his lover. He promises to keep her in his heart and takes a rose as a symbol of their love. He tells her that even though tomorrow she may feel blue, a love that's new will come for her. The third and fourth stanza of the song talk about the soldier's love for Lili Marlene, which gives him the strength to march on even in the toughest of situations. The love between the two is strong and pure, and it is a reminder that love can conquer all.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside the barracks, by the corner light
I will always wait for you at night by the corner light outside of the barracks.
I'll always stand and wait for you at night
No matter what, I will be standing outside waiting for you every night.
We will create a world for two
Together, we will build a world that only belongs to us both.
I'll wait for you the whole night through
I will wait for you patiently and devotedly throughout the entire night.
For you, Lili Marlene
All of this is for you, my beloved Lili Marlene.
Bugler tonight don't play the call to arms
I plead with the bugler not to sound the call to arms tonight.
I want another evening with her charms
I desire to spend another night with you and be captivated by your charms.
Then we will say goodbye and part
Eventually, we will have to say goodbye and part ways.
I'll always keep you in my heart
But you will always have a special place in my heart and in my memories.
With me, Lili Marlene
Even though we may be apart, you will always be with me, Lili Marlene.
Give me a rose to show how much you care
Please give me a rose as a symbol of your love and affection.
Tie to the stem a lock of golden hair
And attach a lock of your golden hair to its stem.
Surely tomorrow, you'll feel blue
I know that tomorrow you will miss me and feel sad.
But then will come a love that's new
But don't worry, because one day you will find a new love.
When we are marching in the mud and cold
When we are enduring harsh conditions while marching in the mud and cold,
And when my pack seems more than I can hold
And my backpack feels too heavy to bear,
My love for you renews my might
It is your love that gives me the strength to carry on.
I'm warm again, my pack is light
Your love warms me up, and my backpack suddenly feels lighter.
It's you, Lili Marlene
Once again, I am reminded that it is you, Lili Marlene, who makes everything in life worthwhile.
It's you, Lili Marlene
It's always you, Lili Marlene, who I think of and who fills my heart with love and happiness.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hans Leip, Norbert Schultze
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind