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.
S.O.S
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I try to reach for you. but you have closed my mind
Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood
It used to be so nice. It used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me S.O.S.?
The love you gave me. nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
You seem so far away though you are standing near
You made me feel alive but something died I fear
I really tried to make it out. I wish I understood
What happened to our love? It used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me S.O.S.?
The love you gave me. nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone though I try how can I carry on?
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone though I try how can I carry on?
In James Last's song "S.O.S," the singer is reminiscing about a past love that has gone sour. They question where the happy times have gone, and how they can no longer seem to reach their partner. It seems that the singer has been shut out by someone they loved deeply, as their partner has "closed [their] mind." They lament over the loss of the love they once shared and wish they could understand what happened.
The chorus repeatedly calls out "S.O.S" to their partner, begging them for help. They declare that the love their partner gave them is the only thing that can save them from their heartache. The singer explains that, without their partner, they don't know how they can go on. Their partner seems physically present, but emotionally distant, making the singer feel as though they are standing far away.
The song is a melancholic portrayal of love lost and one person's struggle to come to terms with it. The repeated call for "S.O.S" captures a sense of desperation and helplessness, conveying the idea that the singer is at their wit's end. Ultimately, the song speaks to the notion that love can be both beautiful and painful, and that the loss of it can leave someone feeling lost and alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are those happy days they seem to hard to find?
I can't find those happy days we used to share and cherish.
I try to reach for you. but you have closed my mind
I'm trying to connect with you, but you have shut me out and won't let me in.
Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood
I don't know what went wrong with our relationship, and I'm desperately trying to make sense of it.
It used to be so nice. It used to be so good
Our love used to be beautiful and perfect, but now it's gone.
So when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me S.O.S.?
I'm asking for your love and support. I need you to save me.
The love you gave me. nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
I'm completely dependent on your love. Without it, I'm lost and helpless.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
Without you, I feel like I can't go on living.
When you're gone though I try how can I carry on?
Even though I try to keep living without you, it feels impossible.
You seem so far away though you are standing near
I feel like I can't reach you or connect with you, even when you're right beside me.
You made me feel alive but something died I fear
You used to make me feel alive and happy, but I fear that our love has died now.
I really tried to make it out. I wish I understood
I did my best to save our relationship, but I still don't know why it fell apart.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
Without you, I feel like I can't go on living.
When you're gone though I try how can I carry on?
Even though I try to keep living without you, it feels impossible.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER LE FRIANT, DANIEL DALMADY, ZSOLT MILICHOVSKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yoyemama
One of James Last best concerts
@labyrinth187kk
Amazing!!!!
@Tk19670
Absolutely rocking