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.
Massachusetts
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something's telling me I must go home
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
The day I left her standing on her own
Tried to hitch a ride to San Francisco
Gotta do the things I wanna do
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
Talk about the life in Massachusetts
Speak about the people I have seen
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
And Massachusetts is one place I have seen
I will remember Massachusetts
The lyrics of James Last's "Massachusetts" are filled with nostalgia, longing, and a desire to return home. The first two lines suggest an intuitive urge to return to Massachusetts, with the singer feeling pulled towards his hometown. The mention of the lights going out refers to a symbolic darkness that enveloped Massachusetts when the singer left someone behind. It's not explicitly stated who this person is, but it's implied that they were left sorrowful and alone.
In the second verse, the singer speaks of his attempt to hitch a ride to San Francisco so he can pursue his desires. However, the darkness of Massachusetts follows him and brings him back to the person he left behind. The third verse reminisces on the life and people of Massachusetts, and how the lights going out mean the end of something that was once bright.
Overall, the song creates a vivid image of a person who has gone away to follow their dreams, only to realize that their true desire is to return to the person and place they left behind. It's a poignant message about how the things we thought we wanted may not bring us the happiness we seek, and how the simplest things can be the ones we crave.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel I'm goin' back to Massachusetts
I have a strong feeling that I need to go back to Massachusetts
Something's telling me I must go home
Some sort of intuition is urging me to return home to Massachusetts
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
There was a noticeable change in the vibe or atmosphere of Massachusetts after I left
The day I left her standing on her own
The day I abandoned Massachusetts, leaving it to fend for itself without me
Tried to hitch a ride to San Francisco
I attempted to leave Massachusetts and travel to San Francisco
Gotta do the things I wanna do
I have personal goals I want to achieve that require me to leave Massachusetts
They brought me back to see my way with you
I was brought back to Massachusetts, where I could see my future path with you
Talk about the life in Massachusetts
I often speak about the lifestyle in Massachusetts
Speak about the people I have seen
I frequently mention the people I've met in Massachusetts
And Massachusetts is one place I have seen
Out of all the places I've been, Massachusetts stands out as a memorable location
I will remember Massachusetts
Massachusetts holds a special place in my heart and will be a cherished memory for me
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BARRY GIBB, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yiris Acuña
Marvellous !!!
Haralambos Tsaktserlis
Great video as always...
77easylis
Wolfgang Ahlers on trombone (Wolfgang Schlüter plays the vibraphone for JL).
russallert
Oops! Thanks for the correction, I mixed up my Wolfgangs.....