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.
on the road again
James Last Lyrics
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Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I cant wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turning our way
And our way, is on the road again
Just cant wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I cant wait to get on the road again
This song by James Last And His Orchestra, “On The Road Again,” celebrates the life of a musician who is always on the move, touring and creating music with their friends. From the very first line, the song delivers a sense of excitement and anticipation as the singer declares, “Just can't wait to get on the road again.” It's a reflection of how, for many musicians, life on the road can be both exhilarating and exhausting.
For the singer, the life they love is “making music with my friends,” something that they eagerly look forward to unraveling whenever they set out on another tour. And as the song continues, we see that traveling offers an endless source of new experiences and opportunities to learn and grow as an artist: “Goin' places that I've never been, Seein' things that I may never see again.” The singer also uses the imagery of a band of gypsies going down the highway, painting a vivid picture of the freedom and sense of adventure that comes with a life lived on the road.
Overall, “On The Road Again” is more than just a simple travelogue song. It's a powerful tribute to the nomadic life of a musician who lives for the road and the art they create with their friends. The song is not only an ode to the journey, but also a celebration of the friendship and camaraderie that musicians share when they are out on the road.
Line by Line Meaning
On the road again
Beginning another journey away from home
Just can't wait to get on the road again
Overwhelmed with excitement to explore new places
The life I love is making music with my friends
Enjoying life to the fullest by pursuing passion for music with friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
Eagerly looking forward to the thrill and adventure of traveling again
Goin' places that I've never been
Venturing to unchartered territories
Seein' things that I may never see again
Experiencing sights that may not come across again in this lifetime
And I can't wait to get on the road again
The yearning to continue journeying and learning new things is immense
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
The group is wandering and moving ahead constantly, relentless like a tribe or a community of gypsies
We're the best of friends
The camaraderie between the members of the band is strong and enduring, more like a family than colleagues or acquaintances
Insisting that the world keep turning our way
Determined to follow their own path in life, and not let societal norms dictate their way of living
And our way, is on the road again
Their way of life is continuous journeying and exploring new horizons.
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The eagerness to explore the world is all-consuming and irresistible
The life I love is making music with my friends
Their music and band is the most important thing in their lives, their very reason for existence
And I cant wait to get on the road again
Unquenchable thirst for discovering new sights and sounds while on tour
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Willie Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind