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.
Our Last Night Together
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
oh oh, although you're coming back
oh oh, although you're coming back
oh oh, although you're coming back
It's our last night together
our last night
our last night together
our last night
our last night together
Although you're coming back
I'm loosing you for now
This job is just a one-way street
It has taken you away from me
oh, although you're coming back
oh oh, although you're coming back
oh, although you're coming back
oh oh, although you're coming back
It's our last night together
our last night
our last night together
our last night together
our last night
our last night together
The lyrics of Arthur Russell’s “Our Last Night Together” seem to reflect the bittersweet feeling of a lover’s temporary departure. The repetition of the phrase “although you’re coming back” could be interpreted as a form of reassurance that the separation is only temporary. However, the lyrics also express the feeling of loss and sadness in the lines “I’m losing you for now” and “it has taken you away from me”. The song paints a picture of a couple who is forced to be apart due to one partner’s job or other circumstances, and they spend their last night together trying to cherish every moment until they are reunited again.
The melancholic tone of the song is captured in its slow and dreamy melody, which invokes the feeling of longing and nostalgia. The repeated refrain of “our last night together” serves as a reminder of the impermanence of the couple’s time together, and creates a sense of urgency to make the most of their last moments. The lyrics of “Our Last Night Together” capture the pain of separation and the hope of reunion, and the song is a testament to Arthur Russell’s unique ability to convey deep emotions through his music.
Line by Line Meaning
oh oh, although you're coming back
Despite the fact that you'll be returning soon
oh oh, although you're coming back
Even though it's temporary
oh oh, although you're coming back
Though I know I'll see you again
oh oh, although you're coming back
Regardless of the length of our separation
It's our last night together
This is the final time we'll spend together for a while
our last night
Our final evening in each other's company
our last night together
The last night we'll share before you depart
our last night together
Our final night as a couple for now
our last night
Our ultimate night until your return
our last night together
This is our last night as two people who are together
our last night
Tonight is our final shared experience for a time
our last night together
This night symbolizes the end of our current period together
Contributed by Xavier K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.