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.
When Doves Cry
James Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of you and I engaged in a kiss
The sweat of your body covers me
Can you my darling?
Can you picture this?
Dream if you can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom
They feel the heat
The heat between me and you
How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold
(So cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied
(She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like when doves cry
Touch if you will my stomach
Feel how it trembles inside
You've got the butterflies all tied up
Don't make me chase you
Even doves have pride
How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world so cold
(World so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied
(She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like when doves cry
How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold
(A world that's so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
(Maybe, maybe I'm like my father)
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
(Ya, know he's to bold)
Maybe you're just like my mother
(Maybe you're just like my mother)
She's never satisfied
(She's never, never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
(Why do we scream, why?)
This is what it sounds like when doves cry
When doves cry
(Doves cry, doves cry)
When doves cry
(Doves cry, doves cry)
Don't cry
(Don't cry)
When doves cry
When doves cry
When doves cry
When doves cry
(Doves cry, doves cry, doves cry)
Don't cry
Darling don't cry
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry
The song "When Doves Cry" by James Last is a poignant ballad that speaks about the confusion and emotional turmoil of a romantic relationship. The artist describes a scenario where he is kissing his lover, and their passion is so intense that sweat is covering both of their bodies. He then creates a vivid picture of a beautiful courtyard filled with blooming flowers and animals that seem to be intrigued by the chemistry between him and his partner. However, despite all the intense emotions, the relationship is strained, and the couple often ends up arguing and screaming at each other.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "How can you just leave me standing? / Alone in a world that's so cold." These lines reflect a sense of rejection and abandonment, indicating that the artist is struggling to understand why his partner is giving up on their love. He also wonders if his demands are too high and if he is just like his father, who was overly bold, or if his partner is like his mother, who was never satisfied. However, in the end, the artist acknowledges that the pain of a failed relationship is depicted in the crying of doves.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig if you will the picture
Imagine a scene, picture it in your mind
Of you and I engaged in a kiss
We are sharing a passionate kiss
The sweat of your body covers me
I am wrapped up in your passion
Can you my darling?
Do you understand?
Can you picture this?
Do you see what I see?
Dream if you can a courtyard
Imagine a beautiful, peaceful place
An ocean of violets in bloom
A sea of purple flowers in their prime
Animals strike curious poses
Creatures act in perplexing manners
They feel the heat
They sense our passion
The heat between me and you
Our passion for each other
How can you just leave me standing?
Why do you abandon me?
Alone in a world that's so cold
Left with loneliness in a harsh world
(So cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Perhaps I expect too much of you
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Possibly, I display the same audacity as my father
Maybe you're just like my mother
Maybe you act like my mother
She's never satisfied
She always wants more
(She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
Why do we raise our voices?
This is what it sounds like when doves cry
This is how it feels when something sweet turns sad
Touch if you will my stomach
Put your hands on my belly
Feel how it trembles inside
Sense the shivers of excitement
You've got the butterflies all tied up
Your presence makes me nervous
Don't make me chase you
Don't play hard to get
Even doves have pride
Even sweet creatures can feel dignity
When doves cry
When innocent things turn sad
Don't cry
Don't be sad
(Doves cry, doves cry)
(Doves cry, doves cry)
When doves cry
When pure things feel pain
When doves cry
When innocent things cry
When doves cry
When beauty feels sorrow
When doves cry
When softness is hurt
(Doves cry, doves cry, doves cry)
Don't cry
Please don't be sad
Darling don't cry
Sweetheart, don't weep
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry
Please don't cry, don't, don't, don't
Contributed by Kylie B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.