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.
Power to the People
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Say you want a revolution
We better get on right away
Well you get on your feet
And out on the street
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
A million workers working for nothing
You better give 'em what they really own
We got to put you down
When we come into town
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
I gotta ask you comrades and brothers
How do you treat you own woman back home
She got to be herself
So she can free herself
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Now, now, now, now
Oh well, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Yeah, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
The song "Power to the People" is a protest song by James Last that expresses the idea of empowering the people. The repetition of the phrase "Power to the people" in the song is a call for people to unite and take action. It is an anthem that encourages people to stand up for their rights and demand change.
The song begins with a call to action, asking people to stand up and start a revolution. The line "We better get on right away" emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the need for people to take action now. The verses of the song focus on different aspects of the struggle for equality, such as workers' rights and women's rights. The chorus, with its repeated call for power to the people, serves as a unifying message, bringing together people from different backgrounds and struggles.
One of the most powerful lines of the song is "A million workers working for nothing, you better give 'em what they really own". This line highlights the exploitation of workers and the need for fair wages and compensation. The song is a reminder that power lies in the hands of the people and that they have the ability to fight for what they deserve.
Line by Line Meaning
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people, right on
We need to give power to the people, it's the right thing to do
Say you want a revolution
If you want change, it's time to act
We better get on right away
We need to start now
Well you get on your feet
Stand up for what you believe
And out on the street
Take action and be heard
Singing power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people, right on
We need to give power to the people, it's the right thing to do
A million workers working for nothing
Workers are not being fairly compensated for their labor
You better give 'em what they really own
Employees should receive what they deserve for their work
We got to put you down
These issues must be addressed
When we come into town
When we confront these issues head-on
Singing power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people, right on
We need to give power to the people, it's the right thing to do
I gotta ask you comrades and brothers
We must address each other as equals
How do you treat you own woman back home
How do you treat women in general?
She got to be herself
Women should have the freedom to be themselves
So she can free herself
Women should be empowered to seek liberation
Singing power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people, right on
We need to give power to the people, it's the right thing to do
Now, now, now, now
It's time to act, now
Oh well, power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people, right on
We need to give power to the people, it's the right thing to do
Yeah, power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people
We need to give power to the people
Power to the people, right on
We need to give power to the people, it's the right thing to do
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Lennon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind