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.
I Couldn’t Say It to Your Face
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn′t say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I needed a place, so I walked in the door
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won′t be around anymore
It′s my world, it's my song
Didn′t ask you to sing along
In my arms, you girl
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won′t be around anymore
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I needed some space, so I walked out the door
I couldn′t say it to your face, but I won′t be around anymore
I heard them say
Maybe, some day I'd have to pay
I don′t say one word
To let you know I'm going away
I couldn′t say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I couldn′t say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I needed a place, so I walked in the door
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won′t be around anymore
The lyrics of Arthur Russell's song "I Couldn't Say It to Your Face" express a sense of detachment and distance within a relationship. The singer acknowledges their inability to communicate their feelings directly to their partner, but instead opts to announce their departure. The repetitive lines "I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore" emphasize the lack of emotional connection or open dialogue in the relationship.
The phrase "I needed a place, so I walked in the door" suggests that the singer may have been searching for a sense of belonging or stability within the relationship. However, the repetition of "I won't be around anymore" and "I needed some space, so I walked out the door" indicates the finality of their decision to leave. The singer seems resigned to their departure, opting for silence instead of attempting to explain themselves or their reasons for leaving.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of unresolved emotions, unspoken truths, and a willingness to move on from a relationship that lacks meaningful communication and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I couldn′t say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I couldn't bring myself to tell you directly, but I will no longer be present in your life
I needed a place, so I walked in the door
I was searching for a place where I could belong, so I entered through the door
It′s my world, it's my song
This is my personal world and my own song I am singing
Didn′t ask you to sing along
I never requested or expected you to join me in my journey
In my arms, you girl
You were once held safely in my embrace
You won't be here to say I′m wrong
You will no longer be present to criticize or disapprove of my choices
I needed some space, so I walked out the door
I required some personal distance, so I departed through the door
I heard them say
Maybe, some day I'd have to pay
I overheard others suggesting that inevitably I would face consequences for my actions
I don't say one word
To let you know I'm going away
I have chosen not to utter a single word to inform you of my departure
Writer(s): Arthur Russell
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ApurbaSamara
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I needed a place, so I walked in the door
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
It's my world, it's my song
Didn't ask you to sing along
In my arms, you girl
You won't be here to say I'm wrong
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I needed some space, so I walked out the door
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I heard them say
Maybe, some day I'd have to pay
I don't say one word
To let you know I'm going away
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
I needed a place, so I walked in the door
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around anymore
@kemspeaks
Fellow Travelers’ 1st episode ended with this, and right now it’s all I want to listen to.
@theonlyonewithgum1452
Yeah, just came from that. Really good so far
@YuqiZhang-ez9wz
Have watched first four episodes twice. feeling like I am on the same page as Tim. wish I could find a once a life love in my life.
@antonioazevedo2140
Same here!
@arassi2710
Same ❤
@robertsmark6365
same😢
@rickd609
Fellow Travellers brought me here.
@kemspeaks
I didn’t think the phone was going to ring.
@misiek555551
@@kemspeaksI knew it will ring ❤
@jonathanpaley7589
I'm playing drums on this recording