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?
The lyrics of James Last's song S.O.S. are a heartbreaking reflection on a relationship that has gone awry. The singer finds themselves asking where the happy days have gone and trying to reach out to their partner, who has closed their mind. They are confused and hurt by the state of their love, wishing they could understand what happened to make it deteriorate. They remember a time when their love was "nice" and "good," but now they feel lost and alone.
The chorus of the song is a desperate plea to their partner to hear them and save them with their love, with the repeated refrain of "S.O.S." acting as a symbol of their distress. They cannot imagine how they will be able to move forward without their partner, feeling like something has died within them despite their efforts to make the relationship work.
The verses, then, are a poignant description of the distance between the singer and their partner, both physically and emotionally. They feel their partner is far away even when standing close, and they fear that their love has been irreparably damaged. Overall, the lyrics of S.O.S. are a powerful evocation of the pain and confusion that can come with the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are those happy days they seem to hard to find?
I am searching for the joy and contentment we once had, but they seem elusive.
I try to reach for you. but you have closed my mind
I attempt to connect with you, but you are not receptive to my efforts.
Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood
I am bewildered by the current state of our relationship and desire clarity.
It used to be so nice. It used to be so good
Our past was filled with positive and pleasant experiences.
So when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me S.O.S.?
When you are in my presence, I am calling out for your help and attention.
The love you gave me. nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
Your love is my only source of salvation and hope during this difficult time.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
In your absence, I struggle to find the strength to move forward.
When you're gone though I try how can I carry on?
Even when I make an effort, it is still tough to cope without you.
You seem so far away though you are standing near
You may be physically present, but our emotional distance feels vast.
You made me feel alive but something died I fear
Previously, you brought vitality to my life, but now, it feels as if that part of me has perished.
I really tried to make it out. I wish I understood
I attempted to improve the situation, but I am still seeking comprehension of why it deteriorated.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
In your absence, I struggle to muster the courage and willpower to move forward.
When you're gone though I try how can I carry on?
Even though I give my best effort, it still feels impossible to carry on without you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Cloud9
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