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.
This Time Dad You're Wrong
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of Arthur Russell's "This Time Dad You're Wrong" speak to the rebellious nature of youth and the universal desire to prove oneself right in spite of the warnings and advice of those who have come before. The singer asserts that they are not a fool, that they have thought things through, and that they understand the risks involved in the actions they've taken. They acknowledge breaking the rules, but still believe that what they did was right. The singer's motivation stems from love - not just for the object of their actions, but also for their father, who they assure will come to understand in time.
The song's repeated refrain, "I'll prove it to you, no, I'm not just a fool. I'm not just a fool, no, I'll prove it to you," captures the determination of youth to prove their worth and independence. The singer acknowledges that they might not understand why they acted as they did until it's all over, but they know they have to try.
Overall, the song seems to be a celebration of youthful defiance and the complicated nature of love and family relationships. It acknowledges the generational divide, but also suggests that there may be more common ground than expected.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm not just a fool; I sat alone for an hour and thought.
I am not acting foolishly. I have taken some time to reflect on what I did.
I know I broke the rules, I knew it there on the spot;
I am aware that I broke the rules in the moment.
but what I did was alright, and I knew all along, in spite of the warning I got,
Despite the warning I received, I knew that what I did was justified.
'cause this time, Dad you're wrong.
I respectfully disagree with your opinion, Father.
I'll prove it to you, no, I'm not just a fool.
I am determined to show you that I am not acting foolishly.
I'm not just a fool, no, I'll prove it to you.
I am not someone who acts without thinking, and I intend to demonstrate this to you.
Well, I can't tell you why, might not know why until after it's through,
I may not have a clear reason behind my actions until they have come to fruition.
but at least I've got to try, and then you might understand too.
I must try to carry out my plan, so that you may also understand my perspective.
But love is why I go back, like I knew all along,
My motivation behind my actions is love, and I have known this all along.
the fact is I even love you, 'cause this time, Dad you're wrong.
Despite the disagreement, my love for you remains, but I still believe that you are wrong in this instance.
I'll prove it to you, no, I'm not just a fool.
Once again, I am determined to show you that I am not a foolish person.
I'm not just a fool, no, I'll prove it to you
I want to emphasize that my actions are not just the result of folly, and I plan to demonstrate this to you.
Contributed by William P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andres Estrada
Underrated artist
Liam Kiernan
You're a good sport son!
Sleuthy Sloth
;-;