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 Never Get Lonesome
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never in the day
Never do I worry
I′ve got nothing to say
I never get lonesome
Nothing to deplete
Never do get hungry
Got no mind to eat
Especially in the night and you are gone
I never get lonesome
As long as a rooster crows
Dawn in New York City
Above the rows, and rows, and rows
I never get lonesome
A pebble in a pool
You know I'm pretty easy
Easy to fool
I never get lonesome
Especially when I′m sad
And when I'm feeling better
I don't feel so bad
I never get lonesome
Especially in the night, and you are gone
I never get lonesome
Except when I think of you
Doesn′t matter nothing, nothing that you do
I keep thinking about you
If you′re really far away
Wondering and a hoping
You mean all that you say
Wish that I was with you
And you were here with me
I hear you on the radio
I see you on TV
I never get lonesome
Especially in the night and you are gone
"I Never Get Lonesome" by Arthur Russell is a song that explores the feeling of loneliness or lack thereof. The lyrics express a sense of contentment and detachment from loneliness throughout different situations. The singer claims to never feel lonely during the day, not worrying or having anything to say. This could suggest a sense of self-sufficiency or perhaps a disconnection from others.
The repetition of the phrase "I never get lonesome" underscores the singer's assertion and emphasizes their emotional autonomy. They mention not feeling hungry or having the desire to eat, further highlighting their lack of dependence on others. The lyrics also imply that the singer's loneliness is intensified in the night when someone is gone, possibly referring to a specific person who brings them comfort or companionship.
In the second verse, the singer finds solace in the sounds of the city, specifically the crowing of a rooster at dawn in New York City. This suggests that the sounds of the city replace the need for human connection, bringing a sense of familiarity and company. They also describe themselves as easy to fool, indicating a vulnerability that contrasts with their self-sufficiency.
The final verse introduces a longing for someone specific. The singer expresses a yearning to be with this person, emphasizing their separation and the emptiness they feel when they think about their absence. The mention of hearing and seeing them through various media suggests that they are unable to physically be together, heightening their sense of loneliness.
In summary, "I Never Get Lonesome" explores the complexities of loneliness and independence. It delves into the singer's ability to detach themselves from loneliness during the day but highlights their vulnerability and yearning for connection during the night and when thinking about a specific person.
Line by Line Meaning
I never get lonesome
I always feel content and never lonely
Never in the day
Not even during daylight hours
Never do I worry
I never experience feelings of anxiety or concern
I've got nothing to say
I have no words or thoughts to express
Nothing to deplete
No empty or drained feeling
Never do get hungry
I never feel a physical need for food
Got no mind to eat
I lack the desire or interest in consuming food
Especially in the night and you are gone
Particularly during the night when you are not present
As long as a rooster crows
As long as I hear the sound of a rooster crowing
Dawn in New York City
The beginning of a new day in the bustling city of New York
Above the rows, and rows, and rows
High above the countless rows of buildings and streets
A pebble in a pool
A small and insignificant presence in a larger context
You know I'm pretty easy
I am not difficult to please or deceive
Easy to fool
It is simple to manipulate or trick me
Especially when I'm sad
Particularly during times of sadness
And when I'm feeling better
When my mood improves
I don't feel so bad
I don't experience as much emotional pain
Except when I think of you
Except when thoughts of you are in my mind
Doesn't matter nothing, nothing that you do
No matter what you do, it doesn't affect my feelings
I keep thinking about you
You are constantly on my mind
If you're really far away
If you are truly distant from me
Wondering and a hoping
Engaging in thoughts of uncertainty and longing
You mean all that you say
I question whether your words hold true meaning
Wish that I was with you
I desire to be in your presence
And you were here with me
If only you could be by my side
I hear you on the radio
I listen to your voice through the radio
I see you on TV
I watch your image on television
Especially in the night and you are gone
Particularly during the night when you are absent
Writer(s): Arthur Russell
Contributed by Callie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.