During this period he also collaborated with Allen Ginsberg, accompanying him on cello while Ginsberg read or sang. Russell also spent time in a Buddhist commune in California; he left when they decided to collectivize his cello.
By the mid-1970's Russell relocated to New York City, where he studied at The Manhattan School of Music. He formed a band from 1975-1979, The Flying Hearts, recorded by John Hammond and featuring David Byrne, Rhys Chatham, Jon Gibson, Peter Gordon, Jerry Harrison, Garret List, Frank Pagano, Andy Paley, Leni Pickett, and Peter Zummo.
In the late 1970s Russell became enamored with the disco scene in New York. At the time it represented a liberation force, particularly for the gay scene, just a few years after the Stonewall riots. (For more see "Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco" by Peter Shapiro).
'Kiss Me Again' was Russell's first dance track. Released under the name Dinosaur L by Sirerecords, it was to be the first of many innovative dancefloor tracks released under different names and with different collaborators, such as 'Is It All Over My Face' by Loose Joints, released in 1980. In 1982, Arthur Russell and William Socolov founded Sleeping Bag records and their first release was his 24-24 Music. This featured 'Go Bang' which was re-mixed as a 12" single by Francois Kevorkian.
Arthur Russell continued to release dance singles such as 'Tell You Today' (4th and Broadway, 1983) an upbeat dance groove featuring the vocals of Joyce Bowden . 'Wax the Van' (Jump Street, 1985) with vocals by Lola Blank, wife of notorious BobTreehouse aka Bob Schoolbell (Sleeping Bag, 1986) and 'Let's Go Swimming' (Upside / Rough Trade, 1986).
At the same time, he produced more meditative works on the albums 'Tower of Meaning' (Chatham Square, 1983) and 'World of Echo' (Rough Trade, 1986), which presented many of his pop and dance compositions in solo cellist form.
Arthur Russell died of AIDS on April 4, 1992, at the age of 40. The obituary in the Village Voice wrote: "his songs were so personal that it seems as though he simply vanished into his music."
In 2004 a renewed interest in Arthur Russell saw the release of "The World of Arthur Russell" on Soul Jazz records, which compiled his best-known dance hits alongside more introspective love songs such as "Little Lost" and "Keeping Up".
In the same year Audika records reissued "World Of Echo" and produced "Calling Out Of Context", 12 unreleased songs from 1985-90. The songs were taken from an album "Corn", recorded in 1985 but never released. They showcase a set of visionary pop songs years ahead of their time, minimalist and expansive, evidence that Russell's best work was perhaps never realized before his death.
In 2006 Audika released "First Thought Best Thought", compiling Russell's out of print orchestral and instrumental works with previously unreleased material.
Hey! How Does Everybody Know
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How does everybody know
How I feel
Feel about you
Guess it somehow just can't help but show
What is realer really is true
Walking
They see me
See me go by
Guess they know just by the way I talk
Before I even even say hi
But it ain't what they're saying
What they're saying to me
That makes me want to
Want to be
All alone
Alone with you
When they
Caught me running through the door
Tried to keep me
Keep me behind
How they knowing that I do adore
The nicest girl
Girl I can find
But it ain't what they're saying
What they're saying to me
That makes me want to
Want to be
All alone
Alone with you
Listen boy
Here's how everybody knows
How you feel
It's because
You can't help it
Showing what's really real
If you see me
Coming down the stairs
Passing by
Right by your side
If I
Let you know I really care
At least don't hurt me
Don't hurt my pride
But it ain't what they're saying
What they're saying to me
That makes me want to
Want to be
All alone
Alone with you
Hey
How does everybody know
How I feel
Feel about you
Guess it somehow just can't help but show
What is realer really is true
Walking
Walking all along the block
They see me
See me go by
Guess they know just by the way I talk
Before I even even say hi
Hey
How does everybody know
How I feel
Feel about you
Guess it somehow just can't help but show
What is realer really is true
The lyrics to Arthur Russell's song Hey! How Does Everybody Know convey a sense of vulnerability in the singer's relationship with another person. The opening lines question how everyone seems to know how the singer feels about their subject of affection. While the singer tries to contain their emotions, others seem to be able to pick up on them without any effort. The second stanza speaks to the singer's discomfort at being so transparent in their feelings. People can guess how they feel about someone before they even speak, which causes the singer to feel exposed.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey
Arthur Russell is greeting someone and initiating a conversation
How does everybody know
Arthur Russell is wondering how everyone has come to know about his feelings for his crush
How I feel
Arthur is referring to his emotions towards his crush which are now known to many
Feel about you
Arthur Russell has feelings for someone and the song is entirely about him expressing his love
Guess it somehow just can't help but show
Arthur Russell's feelings have become very obvious to everyone despite not explicitly stating them
What is realer really is true
Arthur Russell believes that the existence of his feelings is genuine, and not just a fleeting emotion
Walking
This is the act of walking, which is the character's way of navigating through the world
Walking all along the block
Arthur Russell is walking down the street, the location is not relevant but is used as a detail to provide a specific environment
They see me
The people on the street are looking at Arthur Russell
See me go by
Arthur Russell is slowly proceeding through the street while the pedestrians take notice of him
Guess they know just by the way I talk
Arthur Russell's mannerisms make it clear to the people on the street that there is something on his mind, particularly about the topic of this crush
Before I even even say hi
The people on the street have already picked up on Arthur Russell's mood even before he has the chance to interact with them
But it ain't what they're saying
The people on the street are not influencing Arthur Russell's desire to be with his crush
That makes me want to
Arthur Russell's motivation is not coming from external sources, but rather his internal desire to be with his crush
Want to be
Arthur Russell wishes to be with his crush
All alone
Arthur Russell desires seclusion with his crush
Alone with you
This line is a direct message to Arthur Russell's crush which is the main focus of the song
When they
Arthur Russell is talking about the people who witnessed him running through the door
Caught me running through the door
Arthur Russell was in a hurry to do something, possibly to meet with his crush
Tried to keep me
People who saw Arthur Russell running tried to prevent him from leaving
Keep me behind
These people attempted to delay Arthur Russell in his journey, but he still makes it to see his crush
How they knowing that I do adore
Arthur Russell's sincere feelings for his crush have been quite evident, even to strangers
The nicest girl
Arthur Russell's crush is a kind person, and her disposition fits his hopeful expectations of their relationship
Girl I can find
Arthur Russell only has eyes for his crush, and does not seek another partner
Listen boy
A message or warning to the male listener about how he too might have his feelings about someone broadcasted to the public
Here's how everybody knows
Arthur Russell is about to explain how everyone found out about his feelings
It's because
Arthur Russell is answering the question he posed earlier about how people could tell
You can't help it
Arthur Russell's emotions were too strong to keep hidden, and they inadvertently became known to others
Showing what's really real
Arthur Russell's emotions are authentic, and are from the bottom of his heart
If you see me
Arthur Russell's interaction with his crush is once again the central thought of the song
Coming down the stairs
Arthur Russell is approaching his crush from an upstairs location within a building
Passing by
Arthur Russell and his crush casually pass by each other while walking
Right by your side
Arthur Russell's proximity to his crush is crucial to him, which leads him to try and get as close as possible
If I
Arthur Russell is continuing to explain this situation with his crush
Let you know I really care
Arthur Russell is considering detailing his feelings to his crush, which could shape the rest of the relationship
At least don't hurt me
Arthur Russell is vulnerable in his confession, and does not wish to be hurt after revealing his true emotions
Don't hurt my pride
Even if his display of emotions is rejected, Arthur Russell still needs his pride and self-respect in the aftermath
Contributed by Gavin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Otto Matias
hello
landon bush
JawKn33RoX everything in life is connected, ours minds are powerful. Takes time to understand.
landon bush
Hey