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.
Rum And Coca-Cola
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They make you feel so very glad
Calypso sing and make up rhyme
Guarantee you one real good fine time
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Oh, beat it man, beat it
If a Yankee come to Trinidad
They got the young girls all goin' mad
Young girls say they treat 'em nice
Make Trinidad like paradise
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Oh, you vex me, you vex me
From Chicachicaree to Mona's Isle
Native girls all dance and smile
Help soldier celebrate his leave
Makes every day like New Year's Eve
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
It's a fact, man, it's a fact
In old Trinidad, I also fear
The situation is mighty queer
Like the Yankee girls, the native swoon
When she hear Der Bingle croon
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Out on Manzanella Beach
G.I. romance with native peach
All night long, make tropic love
The next day, sit in hot sun and cool off
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
It's a fact, man, it's a fact
Rum and Coca-Cola
Rum and Coca-Cola
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
The lyrics to James Last's song "Rum and Coca-Cola" depict the vibrant and lively atmosphere of Trinidad, particularly the cultural influence of the calypso music and the impact of American presence during World War II. The song describes the experience of visiting Trinidad, where the people are known for their joyful calypso singing and skilled improvisation with rhymes, ensuring a great time for anyone who goes there.
The mention of "rum and Coca-Cola" reflects the popular drink choices in Trinidad at the time, with the lyrics urging to go down to Point Koomahnah, a coastal area known for its lively entertainment. The line "Both mother and daughter working for the Yankee dollar" implies that even women are involved in various activities to cater to the American soldiers stationed there, highlighting the economic impact of the American presence.
The second verse repeats the sentiments of the first, emphasizing how the young girls of Trinidad are captivated by the Yankees and regard them favorably. The lyrics suggest that the Yankees treat the girls well, giving them a taste of paradise in Trinidad.
The third verse mentions various locations in Trinidad, such as Chicachicaree and Mona's Isle, where the native girls dance and smile to celebrate a soldier's leave, making every day feel like a festive occasion. The lyrics indicate that the combination of local culture and the American soldiers' presence creates an atmosphere of joyful celebration.
The final verse introduces a twist, suggesting that even in Trinidad, the situation is peculiar. Like the native girls being infatuated with the Yankees, they are also swooned by Bing Crosby's singing, referred to as "Der Bingle." This reveals the influence of American pop culture on the island.
The last part of the song portrays a scene at Manzanella Beach, where American G.I.s engage in romantic relationships with native women. The lyrics hint at a passionate tropical love affair, followed by a day spent basking in the hot sun and cooling off. This depicts a carefree and pleasurable experience, further emphasizing the enchanting escapism Trinidad offers.
Overall, "Rum and Coca-Cola" is a catchy song evoking the vibrant atmosphere of Trinidad during World War II, capturing the fusion of local culture, American influence, and the excitement of the island's entertainment industry.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ever go down Trinidad
If you ever visit Trinidad
They make you feel so very glad
They make you feel incredibly happy
Calypso sing and make up rhyme
Calypso music is performed and poetic verses are created
Guarantee you one real good fine time
Ensure you have an enjoyable and memorable experience
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Enjoying the combination of rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Visit the region called Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Both mature women and their daughters
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Working to earn money from Americans
Oh, beat it man, beat it
Leave quickly, my friend
If a Yankee come to Trinidad
When an American arrives in Trinidad
They got the young girls all goin' mad
The young girls become infatuated
Young girls say they treat 'em nice
The girls say they are treated well
Make Trinidad like paradise
Make Trinidad feel like a heavenly place
Oh, you vex me, you vex me
Oh, you bother me, you annoy me
From Chicachicaree to Mona's Isle
From the region of Chicachicaree to the island of Mona
Native girls all dance and smile
The indigenous girls dance and have a joyful expression
Help soldier celebrate his leave
Assist the soldier in having a joyful time during his break
Makes every day like New Year's Eve
Makes each day feel like a celebration
It's a fact, man, it's a fact
It's true, my friend, it's true
In old Trinidad, I also fear
In the older times of Trinidad, I'm worried
The situation is mighty queer
The situation is quite unusual
Like the Yankee girls, the native swoon
Just like the American girls, the locals get infatuated
When she hear Der Bingle croon
When she hears Bing Crosby sing
Out on Manzanella Beach
On the beach called Manzanella
G.I. romance with native peach
The soldier has a romantic involvement with a local woman
All night long, make tropic love
Engage in passionate love-making all night
The next day, sit in hot sun and cool off
The following day, relax and cool down under the hot sun
Rum and Coca-Cola
The combination of rum and Coca-Cola
It's a fact, man, it's a fact
It's true, my friend, it's true
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Working to earn money from Americans
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jeri Sullivan, Morey Amsterdam, Paul Baron
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juan Fernandez
Que buena forma de reposar el espíritu y deleitar el oído con estás agradables notas musicales al estilo de la orquesta. James Last.
keith lemon
I attended one of his concerts at the RAH in 1978, a brilliant night with a wonderful band. Never to be equalled ! RIP James.
Paulo Ferreira
Wonderful James Last Band!!!
I took my father (88) and mother(82) in April 2011 to Royal Albert Hall from my Lisbon hometown to saw James Last Band in a great show!! Thank you James!
А И
До чего слаженный коллектив!!! Это просто чудо!!! 👋👋👋🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Leovince tv
Great sounds of music, james last bravo 👏
Rodimus Prime
Grandes músicos al lado de James Last ..un gigante de la composición.
Владимир Жуков
Звучание оркестра УЗНАВАЕМО с первых нот....Великий Маэстро и Чудо -музыканты.Браво!!!
Haralambos Tsaktserlis
Great, great music and a band at its best.
The late great Derek Watkins on fire.
FM Kwok
Fantastic performance.
Sergio Mylius
Muito bom