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.
Me for Real
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can and I do
Do what I want
When I want to
Now I want to
To me
I made it up to you
What I said to you
Now it is true
In my heart beating
Beating far
Into the far, far future
In the mud that's on the tire
On that sunny morning
What a day before
Riding bikes is so intense
The foreign word
That says
Me for real
Its me
Still on my bike
Love is turning
Do it again
It's you that I like
Do you you say it's not true
Do what I want
When I want to
Now I want to
In my heart beating
Beating far
Into the far, far future
Me for real
Me for real
The lyrics of Arthur Russell's Me for Real are open to interpretation, but they seem to be speaking of a personal transformation or realization. The singer declares that they are free to do what they want, and that they have made amends for something they previously lied about. The phrase "me for real" is repeated throughout the song, possibly as a mantra or declaration of personal authenticity. The singer's heart is described as beating intensely, and the imagery shifts from a sunny morning to the far future. The line "Love is turning" implies a change or shift in a romantic relationship, with the singer suggesting that they and their partner can do and be whatever they want.
Line by Line Meaning
To me
The following statements are my own perspective
I can and I do
I am capable of doing what I want and I actually do it
Do what I want
I have the freedom to choose my own actions and behaviors
When I want to
I have control over when I choose to perform those actions
Now I want to
Presently, I desire to do something
I made it up to you
I apologize for what I previously said to you because it was untrue
What I said to you
My previous words to you were inaccurate
Is not true
What I said earlier was a lie
Now it is true
I am currently speaking the truth
In my heart beating
My heart is still pumping
Beating far
My heart will continue to beat far into the future
Into the far, far future
My heart will keep beating for a long time
In the mud that's on the tire
There is mud on my bike tire
On that sunny morning
This occurred during a morning that was filled with sunlight
What a day before
Yesterday really was quite something
Riding bikes is so intense
Bike riding can evoke strong feelings
The foreign word
A word that is unfamiliar to me
That says
This word means
Me for real
I am being genuine and true to myself
Its me
I am the one saying this
Still on my bike
I am still currently riding my bike
Love is turning
The feeling of love is beginning to develop
Do it again
I am enjoying myself and wish to repeat this experience
It's you that I like
I have feelings of admiration and fondness towards you
Do you say it's not true
Are you denying that what I am saying is genuine?
Me for real
I am being authentic and truthful to myself
Me for real
I am being my true self
Contributed by Nicholas G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Emilio José Gallo
To me
I can and I do
Do what I want
When I want to
Now I want to
To me
I made it up to you
What I said to you
Is not true
Now it is true
In my heart beating
Beating far
Into the far, far future
In the mud that's on the tire
On that sunny morning
What a day before
Riding bikes is so intense
The foreign word
That says
Me for real
Its me
Still on my bike
Love is turning
Do it again
It's you that I like
Do you you say it's not true
Do what i want
When I want to
Now I want to
In my heart beating
Beating far
Into the far, far future
Me for real
Me for real
Emilio José Gallo
To me
I can and I do
Do what I want
When I want to
Now I want to
To me
I made it up to you
What I said to you
Is not true
Now it is true
In my heart beating
Beating far
Into the far, far future
In the mud that's on the tire
On that sunny morning
What a day before
Riding bikes is so intense
The foreign word
That says
Me for real
Its me
Still on my bike
Love is turning
Do it again
It's you that I like
Do you you say it's not true
Do what i want
When I want to
Now I want to
In my heart beating
Beating far
Into the far, far future
Me for real
Me for real
Alfonso Extraterrestre
Arthur changed my perception of life. for real.
DoctorGarkle
If I remember the film, his parents admit failing to appreciate his genius while simultaneously recognizing it. I feel the same way. It's not on my wavelength but a whole lot of people I really admire feel very differently than I do.
E MG
great statement on neurodiversity e afins :)
ciwe3400
I love the sensibility he did put in his music
Jim Tencent
I listen to this song twice a week
moonbeanification
This rearranges something in my soul ...
naum mano
es el mejor ahora y siempre
die grenze
love putting this in my sets
Marcus Hamilton
Hey could you send it to me please?