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.
Planted A Thought
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where there was you
I planted a tree where the big door opens
as a symbol of what could happen
or what you wanted to have happen
I planted a thought
where I saw
I planted a tree where the big door opens
... inaudible ...
you came over and that made certain
what you wanted and I wanted
both near and far
both near and far
I will find you and
as a symbol of what could happen
or what you wanted to have happen
I planted a thought where I saw
where there was you
I planted a tree where the big door opens
The lyrics of Arthur Russell's song Planted a Thought consist of a short and repetitive set of verses that convey a sense of longing and hope for a particular outcome. The singer of the song seems to have set in motion a series of actions that represent their desire to bring about a certain result. The opening lines suggest that the singer has created a mental image of a person, represented by the act of planting a thought "where there was you." This thought is then mirrored by the planting of a physical tree, "where the big door opens," as "a symbol of what could happen or what you wanted to have happen."
Throughout the song, these actions are repeated, with the lyrics becoming increasingly incoherent towards the end. However, the overall impression is one of determination and persistence, as if the singer is willing their desired outcome into being. The final lines suggest that the object of the singer's desire is both "near and far," but that they will find them nonetheless.
Overall, the lyrics of Planted a Thought are enigmatic and somewhat ambiguous, leaving the listener to fill in the gaps with their own interpretation. They capture a sense of longing and hope that is both universal and intensely personal, and the repetitions and variations create a sense of momentum and urgency that builds towards the final resolution.
Line by Line Meaning
I planted a thought where I saw
I placed an idea in my mind where I perceived a situation.
where there was you
This idea was in relation to a person I had romantic feelings for.
I planted a tree where the big door opens
I used symbolism to represent the possibility of a future relationship.
as a symbol of what could happen
The tree represented potential outcomes based on our connection and chemistry.
or what you wanted to have happen
It also symbolized what I believed the other person was hoping would come to fruition.
you came over and that made certain
When you visited me, it solidified our mutual attraction and interest in each other.
what you wanted and I wanted
We each wanted the same thing in terms of a relationship.
both near and far
Our desires and goals were similar in both the short-term and long-term.
I will find you and
I am determined to pursue something more with you.
as a symbol of what could happen
The tree still symbolizes the potential future we could have together.
or what you wanted to have happen
It also represents the aspirations and hopes you had for our relationship.
Contributed by Caroline M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@weirdlyevolvedcreature4828
I planted a thought where I saw where there was you
I planted a tree where the big door opens
There's a symbol of what could happen
Oh what we wanted to happen
I planted a thought where I saw where there was you
I planted a tree where the big door opens
I'll stop the point and love's broken
You came over and I made certain
What you wanted and I wanted
Both near and far
Both near and far
Both near and far
I will find you and
There's a symbol of what could happen
Oh what we wanted to happen
I planted a thought where I saw where there was you
I planted a tree where the big door opens
@davidwave4
This is impossibly groovy. Thank you for keeping Arthur's legacy alive.
@canadey97
one of my all time favorite Arthur tunes 🧡
@johnmcfadden1416
If you like Arthur Russell please share and introduce a new audience to his music.
@wwindsunrain
I will if I can. Just found out about him and will have to listen to everything he made. How is it possible that I'm this old and never were aware of his music?
@yourstruly7086
I hate it when people try to gatekeeper artists. If you love Arthur Russell, you should share his magic to the world.
@OrdoAbChao-kg5rf
I love Arthur Russell's music! Let's keep these alive af.
@maddogg63
Love thanks for keeping his music alive!
@emanacionvj
arthur russell es todo!!!!
que bien que me hace escuchar su mĂşsica!!!
@weirdlyevolvedcreature4828
I planted a thought where I saw where there was you
I planted a tree where the big door opens
There's a symbol of what could happen
Oh what we wanted to happen
I planted a thought where I saw where there was you
I planted a tree where the big door opens
I'll stop the point and love's broken
You came over and I made certain
What you wanted and I wanted
Both near and far
Both near and far
Both near and far
I will find you and
There's a symbol of what could happen
Oh what we wanted to happen
I planted a thought where I saw where there was you
I planted a tree where the big door opens
@TurtleeyTY
This is incredible music