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.
Home Away From Home
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pointing to my home away from home
Now every twinkling light that's in the sky
By looking up when you need to know
You will see that from looking, looking up
You will be able to do it again
Home away from home, home away from home, home away from home
The rest is in the center
You can come with me
Pointing to my home away from home
....crossing, crossing through
But every twinkling light that's in the sky
But every twinkling light that's in the sky
But every twinkling light that's in the sky
The birth of the moment
Is never ending
Home away from home, home away from home
Home away from home, home away from home
The rest is in the center
It comes to take you to the treetops
You can come with me
Pointing to my home away from home
The lyrics of Arthur Russell's song Home Away From Home seem to speak about finding a place of comfort and familiarity, a place that one can consider as their own even if it's far away from one's actual home. The line "pointing to my home away from home" suggests that the singer has found such a place and is inviting someone to experience it too. The recurring line "every twinkling light that's in the sky" could refer to the countless possibilities and opportunities that one can see when they look up, offering hope and excitement to whoever is listening.
The second verse seems to touch on the idea of crossing over into a new phase or journey, but regardless of how unfamiliar the surroundings may be, there will always be a way to find direction and guidance through the twinkling lights. The line "the birth of the moment is never-ending" could suggest that every new experience is a chance to start anew, and that there is always a new moment to be embraced.
Overall, the song seems to convey a sense of hope and optimism, suggesting that no matter where one finds themselves, there's always a way to feel at home and that every new experience can bring new discoveries and new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
You, you can come with me
The singer is inviting someone to join him on a journey.
Pointing to my home away from home
The singer is indicating the destination of their journey, somewhere he considers a second home.
Now every twinkling light that's in the sky
The singer invites the listener to look up at the stars, a universal compass.
By looking up when you need to know
The artist implies that the stars can provide guidance when direction is needed.
You will see that from looking, looking up
The stars hold great significance for the artist and offer guidance for others who look to them.
You will be able to do it again
The stars will always be there to offer help and guidance.
Home away from home, home away from home, home away from home
The idea of having a home away from home is significant to the singer and is worth repeating.
The rest is in the center
The artist suggests that there is a central truth and purpose waiting to be discovered.
It comes to take you to the treetops
The artist implies that this central truth or purpose will elevate those who discover it.
....crossing, crossing through
The artist adds an ominous tone to the journey, suggesting that there will be obstacles to overcome.
But every twinkling light that's in the sky
Despite any obstacles, the stars remain constant and reliable.
The birth of the moment
A moment of great significance is approaching.
Is never ending
This significant moment will continue to have an impact on the singer and others long after it has passed.
Home away from home, home away from home
The singer is repeating the phrase to emphasize the significance of this second home.
You can come with me
The invitation is extended once again, highlighting the importance of experiencing this journey together.
Pointing to my home away from home
The destination is repeated to reinforce its significance and value to the artist.
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Amber Pamber
You, you can come with me
Pointing to my home away from home
Now every twinking light that's in the sky
By looking up when you need to know
You will see that from looking, looking up
You will be able to do it again
Home away from home, home away from home, home away from home
The rest is in the center
It comes to take you up in the treetops
You can come with me
Pointing to my home away from home
....crossing, crossing through
But every twinking light that's in the sky
But every twinking light that's in the sky
But every twinking light that's in the sky
The birth of the moment
Is never ending
Home away from home, home away from home Home away from home, home away from home
The rest is in the center
It comes to take you up in the treetops
You can come with me
Pointing to my home away from home
Amber Pamber
You, you can come with me
Pointing to my home away from home
Now every twinking light that's in the sky
By looking up when you need to know
You will see that from looking, looking up
You will be able to do it again
Home away from home, home away from home, home away from home
The rest is in the center
It comes to take you up in the treetops
You can come with me
Pointing to my home away from home
....crossing, crossing through
But every twinking light that's in the sky
But every twinking light that's in the sky
But every twinking light that's in the sky
The birth of the moment
Is never ending
Home away from home, home away from home Home away from home, home away from home
The rest is in the center
It comes to take you up in the treetops
You can come with me
Pointing to my home away from home
Helioscene
What is it about?
John Stuart
I just discovered the music of Arthur Russell. LOVE IT!
Borntooearly
What an amazing track. Slackers remix is equally stunning!
cellerdisco
As Baudelaire said 'to be away from home and yet to feel oneself everywhere at home; to see the world, to be at the centre of the world, and yet to remain hidden from the world.'
Federico Bejarano
source, please?
cellerdisco
@Federico Bejarano it is from his essay, The Painter of Modern Life, describing an artist flaneur. Seems to capture what it’s like to live a city which isn’t the one you grew up in. More of the passage here: https://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/elljwp/Baudelaire%20on%20the%20flaneur.htm
Well worth reading the full essay too, it’s not that long.
Bendage
in terms of demeanor, style uniqueness, even down to their voice, I feel like Arthur Russell and Nick Drake were probably kindred spirits. and both gone too soon.
Parns
I hear it too
David Burke
Agreed