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.
September Song/ Serenata
James Last Lyrics
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I played me a waiting game
If a maid refused me with tossing curls
I'd let the old Earth take a couple of whirls
While I plied her with tears in lieu of pearls
And as time came around she came my way
As time came around, she came
You court them in song and rhyme
They answer with words and a clover ring
But if you could examine the goods they bring
They have little to offer but the songs they sing
And the plentiful waste of time of day
A plentiful waste of time
Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn't got time for the waiting game
Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
September, November
And these few precious days I'll spend with you
These precious days I'll spend with you
The lyrics of the song "September Song/ Serenata" by James Last talk about the experiences of a man who has been courting girls since his youth. He mentions how he used to play a waiting game when a maid would refuse him, not giving up on his chase. He would patiently wait and ply her with tears, hoping that he would eventually win her over. As time passed and he maintained his pursuit, the girl finally came his way.
The second verse talks about the common rituals of courting during the spring season. The man serenades the girl with songs and poetry, and the girl responds with words and presents like a clover ring. The lyrics highlight, however, that what the girls bring to the table is only their songs and a useless waste of time. It is during the autumn season, time and the dating game have no patience, and waiting would be pointless. The song ends with the singer expressing how precious the remaining days of September are, and he intends to spend them with his beloved.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a young man courting the girls
When I was young and seeking love from the ladies
I played me a waiting game
I would often bide my time
If a maid refused me with tossing curls
If a young lady rejected me with dismissive gestures
I'd let the old Earth take a couple of whirls
I would let time pass
While I plied her with tears in lieu of pearls
While I tried to win her over with sadness instead of gifts
And as time came around she came my way
Eventually, she came to me
As time came around, she came
With time, I won her over
When you meet with the young girls early in the Spring
When you encounter young ladies during springtime
You court them in song and rhyme
You try to impress them with music and poetry
They answer with words and a clover ring
They respond with words and a simple clover ring
But if you could examine the goods they bring
But upon closer inspection of what they offer
They have little to offer but the songs they sing
They have little but their musical talents
And the plentiful waste of time of day
And the plenty of time spent during the day
A plentiful waste of time
A lot of time wasted
Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
It's a long time from the start of spring to the end of fall
But the days grow short when you reach September
But the days become shorter as September comes
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
When fall weather causes the leaves to change color
One hasn't got time for the waiting game
There is no time for waiting games
Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
Oh, the remaining days become fewer and more valuable
September, November
The months of September and November
And these few precious days I'll spend with you
I will cherish and spend these last days with you
These precious days I'll spend with you
I will spend these valuable days with you
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kurt Weill, Maxwell Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind