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.
Never on Sunday
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A Monday, a Monday is very, very good
Or you can kiss me on a Tuesday
A Tuesday, a Tuesday, in fact I wish you would
Or you can kiss me on a Wednesday
A Thursday, a Friday and Saturday is best
But never, never on a Sunday
A Sunday, a Sunday, 'cause that's my day of rest
Most any day you can be my guest
Any day you say, but my day of rest
Just name the day that you like the best
Only stay away on my day of rest
Oh, you can kiss me on a cool day, a hot day
A wet day, which everyone you choose
Or try to kiss me on a gray day, a May day
A pay day, and see if I refuse
And if you make it on a bleak day
A freak day, a week day, why you can be my guest
But never, never on a Sunday
The song "Never on Sunday" by James Last is a classic tune with a hint of humor and a clear message. The song is about a woman who is willing to kiss the singer any day of the week, except on a Sunday, as this is her day of rest. The first verse outlines the different days of the week that the woman is happy to receive a kiss, whether it's a Monday or a Saturday. The second verse, however, emphasizes that she needs her Sunday to be a day of rest, and this is not the day for kissing.
The song's lyrics are packed with clever wordplay and clever puns. The singer's frequent repetition of the phrase "never on a Sunday" adds a humorous touch to the song, and his jokes about kissing on a bleak day, a freak day or a wet day show off his playful sense of humor. At its core, however, the song is a lighthearted celebration of the importance of taking time for rest and relaxation in our busy lives.
Overall, "Never on Sunday" is a catchy tune that is sure to get listeners tapping their toes and singing along. Whether you're a fan of classic music or just appreciate a good sense of humor, this song is sure to delight.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you can kiss me on a Monday
I'm open to receiving affection any day of the week
A Monday, a Monday is very, very good
Mondays are just as good as any other day for a kiss
Or you can kiss me on a Tuesday
Tuesdays work too, I won't complain
A Tuesday, a Tuesday, in fact I wish you would
Actually, I'm kind of hoping you'll kiss me on a Tuesday
Or you can kiss me on a Wednesday
Really, any day is fine
A Thursday, a Friday and Saturday is best
But if you had to choose, those three days are probably the most ideal
But never, never on a Sunday
Just please don't try to kiss me on a Sunday
A Sunday, a Sunday, 'cause that's my day of rest
I need that one day a week to relax and recharge
Most any day you can be my guest
Seriously, any day works
Any day you say, but my day of rest
I'm willing to compromise, except for that one day
Just name the day that you like the best
You decide, I'm easy-going like that
Only stay away on my day of rest
But please, give me my Sunday to unwind
Oh, you can kiss me on a cool day, a hot day
Any weather is good for kissing
A wet day, which everyone you choose
I'm game for a kiss even if it's raining
Or try to kiss me on a gray day, a May day
You can even try to sneak in a kiss on a dreary day in May
A pay day, and see if I refuse
If you want to try bribing me with money, go ahead and see if it works
And if you make it on a bleak day
Even on a dismal day, I'll still welcome a kiss
A freak day, a week day, why you can be my guest
Whether it's a weird day or just a regular weekday, come on over for a smooch
But never, never on a Sunday
Just don't show up on a Sunday please
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Manos Hadjidakis, Billy Towne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wishmaster74
I know this is from an score from the movie but I wish we could hear more of James Last's new arrangements on soundtracks of other movies.
Hernan Baez
Un Hermoso arreglo para ésta melodía,logrado por James Last.
osqui
Hermosa canción y orquestación !!! Gracias anggip por compartirlo !!!
Chandra Fernandez
Luv this version by James Last. Great. thanks for posting
Prabhakar Rao
Absolutely sublime
Nuttle Nataraj
I was addicted for this music. Wonderful
Jose G. Pineda
James Last,un grandioso intérprete de la música del Mundo viva la Alegría.
Sudhirkumar Chowdhary
great music...thanks for posting...how memories come back...
Sudhirkumar Chowdhary
HOW I LOVE JAMES LAST AND HIS ORCHESTRA. .SUCH LOVELY MUSIC. ..GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS U ...
Darrell Pickering
I remember this but it was by Don Costa. It got a lot of air play back in the day.