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.
Mamma Mia
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I don't know how but I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I've missed you?
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go
I've been angry and sad about things that you do
I can't count all the times that I've told you "we're through"
And when you go, when you slam the door
I think you know that you won't be away too long
You know that I'm not that strong
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything
[Chorus]
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, even if I say
"Bye bye, leave me now or never"
Mamma mia, it's a game we play
"Bye bye" doesn't mean forever
[Chorus]
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go
The lyrics to James Last’s ‘Mamma Mia’ is a perfect representation of the various emotions that arise from a complicated relationship. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that they have been cheated on for a long time and have finally decided to end things. The singer then reflects on the events that led to this decision and expresses confusion over whether they will ever learn. However, they find that they suddenly lose control and have a strong feeling brewing within them whenever they see the person they have broken up with. Despite knowing that the relationship was no good, the singer finds themselves unable to resist the temptation to be with them again.
The chorus of the song revolves around the title, ‘Mamma Mia’, and emphasizes the singer’s confused state of mind. They cannot resist the person they love despite them having broken their heart. They go on to proclaim their love for this person, admitting that they have missed them terribly.
The song then concludes with the singer stating that they have been angry and sad about their lost love, but every time they think they should say goodbye, they find themselves back in the person’s arms. Even if they say the words “bye-bye,” they know it doesn’t mean forever because they could never let go of this person.
Line by Line Meaning
I been cheated by you since you know when
I have been deceived by you for a long time now, and it is hurtful
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
I have decided that this needs to stop and finally come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I am unsure if I will ever learn from this and make better decisions
I don't know how but I suddenly lose control
I don't understand why, but I feel like I am losing control
There's a fire within my soul
I have intense emotions that I cannot contain
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One glance from you and everything else fades away
One more look and I forget everything
Another glance and I forget all the pain and hurt I feel
Mamma mia, here I go again
Oh my, I am falling for you once more
My my, how can I resist you?
I cannot resist your charm and end up falling for you again
Mamma mia, does it show again
I am falling for you again, can you tell?
My my, just how much I've missed you?
I realize how much I have missed your presence in my life
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
I have a broken heart because of what you have done to me
Blue since the day we parted
I have been sad ever since we broke up
Why, why did I ever let you go?
I regret ever letting you go and breaking up with you
Mamma mia, now I really know
Now I understand how important you are to me
My my, I could never let you go
I don't think I could ever let you go again
I've been angry and sad about things that you do
Your actions have made me feel angry and sad
I can't count all the times that I've told you "we're through"
I have lost count of how many times I have broken up with you
And when you go, when you slam the door
When you storm out and leave in anger
I think you know that you won't be away too long
I believe that you will come back soon, knowing our pattern
You know that I'm not that strong
I am weak when it comes to you, and you know it
"Bye bye" doesn't mean forever
Even when I say goodbye, it doesn't mean it's forever
Mamma mia, even if I say "Bye bye, leave me now or never"
Even if I tell you to leave me now or never return
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stig Erik Anderson, Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K Ulvaeus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@treiterschijf
A song so reliant on the vocals would usually seem empty without them. This is something else. Dominated by drum and tenor sax, the impeccable timing produces one exciting masterpiece of live performance. The refrain with fireworks presents a flawless rendition of a magical song. Thanks for posting.
@enricocotilli
Sassofonista eccezionale!!!
@martinpatrick1746
James Last the best conductor rest in peace.
@meikelmyers3204
Nice Sax and RIP James
@jesusmariomaciasgonzalezel799
James Last, ¿ acaso fue un éxtraterreste ? Que vino de una Galaxia desconocida a deleitarnos como Director de su Fabulosa Orquesta Banda, HORALE. ¡ EN MEMORIA ! DIOS nos guarde. Saludos. 2/25/19. 🇲🇽 .
@user-qp3vp8ce2n
Оркестр Джеймса Ласта просто фантастика.
@gdreyer
James Last is ABBA, ABBA is James Last.
@freddya5089
This gives me instant joy 🤩🤩🤩
@perhauberg7385
The ABBA numbers were just so much better on this tour than on the CD... Oh, I miss those concerts !
@nabilmohamed1210
بعد 30 سنه اسمعها تآني وكأنها أول مره جيمس لاست شباب علي طول