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.
Lucky Cloud
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little rain
A lot of fun
One kiss and I go overboard
I will find
More to see
I will see
It's a two way, two way street
The more I look ahead
The more I see behind
Lucky cloud in your sky
A little rain
A lot of fun
One, one kiss and I go overboard
What a day
As the sun peeps around round the cloud
That's in the way
Like a two way, two way street
The weather at a point will show me what you will say
Lucky cloud in your sky
A little rain
A lot of fun
One kiss and I go overboard
I see your light touch my eyes
And then the rest
Is history
One kiss and I go...
The lyrics to Arthur Russell's song Lucky Cloud are mysterious and open to interpretation, but at their core, they seem to express the joy and excitement of a new relationship. The opening line, "Lucky cloud in your sky," suggests that the singer sees something special and unique in the person they're addressing. The rain and fun that follow may represent the ups and downs of the relationship, but the key phrase is "one kiss and I go overboard." This could mean that the singer is so enamored with this person that even the slightest gesture from them sends them into a state of bliss or infatuation.
The second verse adds another layer of meaning to the song. The idea of "looking ahead" and "seeing behind" suggests a reflective, perhaps regretful mood. The singer may be acknowledging that their past experiences have led them to this moment, but they're still hopeful for the future. The bridge of the song features some of the most intriguing lyrics: "As the sun peeps around round the cloud / That's in the way / Like a two way, two way street / The weather at a point will show me what you will say." The metaphor of the sun and cloud seems to represent the obstacles and uncertainties of the relationship, but the two-way street suggests that there's a dialogue happening between the singer and the person they're addressing. The weather may be unpredictable, but they're both in it together.
Line by Line Meaning
Lucky cloud in your sky
I am fortunate to have you in my life, and when I look at the sky, I am reminded of your presence
A little rain
Just a small amount of change can bring new experiences and excitement into our lives, like the rain brings freshness to everything it touches
A lot of fun
Life should be enjoyed and celebrated, and I feel that way when I'm with you
One kiss and I go overboard
The intensity of my emotions for you is so strong that even a small gesture like a kiss can make me feel overwhelmed and lost in love
I will find
I am determined to seek out new adventures and experiences in life
More to see
I believe there is always more to explore and discover in the world around me
I will see
I am open-minded and curious about what life has to offer, and I actively seek out new opportunities
More to find
I believe that there is always more to learn and experience in life, and I am excited to discover what that might be
It's a two way, two way street
In any relationship or interaction, both parties have a role to play and must work together to make it successful
The more I look ahead
As I focus on the future and what's ahead of me, I gain new insights and understanding about what's behind me
The more I see behind
As I reflect on my past experiences and mistakes, I am better able to learn from them and move forward
What a day
This is an exclamation of joy and wonder about the beauty of the world
As the sun peeps around round the cloud
Even when things seem dark or difficult, there is always the promise of hope and light shining through
That's in the way
There are always obstacles or challenges to overcome in life, but they make the journey more meaningful and rewarding
The weather at a point will show me what you will say
I am always attuned to the signals and signs around me, looking for clues and messages about what the future may hold
I see your light touch my eyes
I am filled with warmth and love when I am with you, and I can sense your affection in even the smallest gestures
And then the rest
Everything else fades away in comparison to the love I feel for you
Is history
Our love story is unfolding, and I am excited to see where it will take us
One kiss and I go...
I am forever lost in the intensity of my emotions for you, and one kiss is all it takes to sweep me away in love
Contributed by Adrian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.