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.
Tenderly
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Them young girls they do get wearied
Wearing that same old miniskirt dress
But when she gets weary
You try a little tenderness
Oh man that
Un hunh
Just anticipating
The thing that you'll never never possess
No no no
But while she there waiting
Try just a little bit of tenderness
That's all you got to do
Now it might be a little bit sentimental no
But she has her greavs and care
But the soft words they are spoke so gentle
Yeah yeah yeah
And it makes it easier to bear
Oh she wont regret it
No no
Them young girls they don't forget it
Love is their whole happiness
Yeah yeah yeah
But its all so easy
All you got to do is try
Try a little tenderness
Yeah
Damn that hart (hard?)
All you got to do is know how to love her
You've got to
Hold her
Squeeze her
Never leave her
Now get to her
Got got got to try a little tenderness
Yeah yeah
Lord have mercy now
All you got to do is take my advice
You've got to hold her
Don't squeeze her
Never leave her
You've got to hold her
And never
So you got to try a little tenderness
A little tenderness
A little tenderness
A little tenderness
You've got to
Got to got to
You've gotta hold her
Don't squeeze her
Never leaver her
You got
Got got got to
Now now now
Got got got to
Try a little tenderness
Ye
The lyrics to James Last's song "Tenderly" speaks about the importance of tenderness in a relationship. It first starts by talking about a young girl who may be feeling tired and weary from wearing the same miniskirt dress. The song encourages the man in her life to try a little tenderness to help her feel better. It goes on to explain that while she may be waiting and anticipating something that cannot be obtained, the man can make it easier by using soft and gentle words. The song continues to encourage tenderness throughout the relationship, as it is a way to show love and make the relationship easier to bear.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh she may be weary
She may be tired and worn out.
Them young girls they do get wearied
Young girls often become exhausted.
Wearing that same old miniskirt dress
Wearing the same outfit can be tiring.
But when she gets weary
When she becomes tired.
You try a little tenderness
Show her some kindness and love.
Oh man that
Oh boy.
Un hunh
Agreement or affirmation.
I know shes waiting
I know she is anticipating something.
Just anticipating
She is eagerly waiting.
The thing that you'll never never possess
You'll never have what she is expecting.
No no no
Absolutely not.
But while she there waiting
While she is waiting for something.
Try just a little bit of tenderness
Be kind and affectionate towards her.
That's all you got to do
It's that simple.
Now it might be a little bit sentimental no
It could be seen as overly emotional.
But she has her greavs and care
She has her own grievances and difficulties.
But the soft words they are spoke so gentle
Speaking kindly and gently can make things easier for her.
Yeah yeah yeah
Yes.
And it makes it easier to bear
It can make her struggles easier to deal with.
Oh she wont regret it
She won't regret being treated kindly.
No no
Absolutely not.
Them young girls they don't forget it
Young girls remember when they are treated well.
Love is their whole happiness
Love is what brings them happiness.
But its all so easy
It's all so simple.
All you got to do is try
Just try.
Try a little tenderness
Show some kindness and love.
Yeah
Yes.
Damn that hart (hard?)
That's tough.
All you got to do is know how to love her
You just need to know how to love her.
You've got to
You need to.
Hold her
Embrace her.
Squeeze her
Hold her tightly.
Never leave her
Never abandon her.
Now get to her
Go to her.
Got got got to try a little tenderness
You really need to show some kindness and love.
Lord have mercy now
Oh my goodness.
All you got to do is take my advice
Just listen to my advice.
Don't squeeze her
Don't hug her too tightly.
And never
And don't ever.
So you got to try a little tenderness
You really need to show some kindness and love.
A little tenderness
Just a bit of kindness and affection.
You've got to
You need to.
Got to got to
Really need to.
Got to hold her
You need to embrace her.
Now now now
Right now.
Try a little tenderness
Show some kindness and love.
Ye
Yes.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CAROLE BAYER SAGER, DAVID W. FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind