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.
The Sandpiper
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guantanamera, Guajira Guantanamera
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Y antes de morir me quiero
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carmín encendido
Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carmín encendido
Mi verso es un ciervo herido
Que busca en el monte amparo
The words mean "I am a truthful man from the land of the palm trees
And before dying, I want to share these poems of my soul
My poems are soft green. My poems are also flaming crimson
My poems are like a wounded fawn seeking refuge in the forest
The last verse says:'Con los pobres de la tierra'. With the poor people of this earth I want to share my fate. The streams of the mountains please me more than the sea."
Y el arroyo de la sierra
Me complace más que el mar
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
The Sandpiper by James Last features this Cuban folk song, "Guantanamera", which was originally written in the 1920s by Cuban composer Joseito Fernandez. The first two lines, "Guantanamera, Guajira Guantanamera", repeat throughout the song and serve as a welcoming chant to the woman from the countryside (Guajira) that the song is addressing.
The song's main theme is about the songwriter's love for his native land, the palm tree-filled countryside of Cuba, which he reveres as the source of his inspiration. He describes himself as a truthful and sincere man who wishes to share his poems with the world before he dies. His poems are described as a combination of soft green and flaming crimson colors - what this means is up for interpretation. The last part of the song touches on his love for the simple things, especially the streams of the mountains, which he prefers over the grandeur of the sea.
Although the song is deeply rooted in Cuban cultural heritage, it is often performed by musicians all over the world and has been translated into many languages. It has become an anthem of freedom and solidarity, and its melody is recognized universally. The song has been interpreted widely and was even used as a pledge of support in the 2016 US presidential campaign.
Line by Line Meaning
Guantanamera, Guajira Guantanamera
Repetitive chorus line
Yo soy un hombre sincero
I am a truthful man
De donde crecen las palmas
From the land of palm trees
Yo soy un hombre sincero
I am a truthful man
De donde crecen las palmas
From the land of palm trees
Y antes de morir me quiero
Before dying, I want
echar mis versos del alma
to share these poems of my soul
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Repetitive chorus line
Mi verso es de un verde claro
My poems are soft green
Y de un carmín encendido
My poems are also flaming crimson
Mi verso es un ciervo herido
My poems are like a wounded fawn
Que busca en el monte amparo
seeking refuge in the forest
Y el arroyo de la sierra
And the mountain stream
Me complace más que el mar
pleases me more than the sea
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Repetitive chorus line
Contributed by David F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
محمود شاكر البهادلي
Greatest