The term Various Artists is used in the record industry when numerous singers and musicians collaborate on a song or collection of songs. Most often on Last.fm, compilation album tracks appear under the name of Various Artists erroneously because the individual artist is not listed in the album's ID3 information.
Compilation albums, for example.
Sometimes, single releases may be credited to Various Artists when their profits are going to charity and, usually in high-profile cases, are sometimes known by a group name. Examples include Band Aid with their releases of Do They Know It's Christmas? and USA for Africa with We Are The World.
Various Artists is also an actual performance name for Torsten Pröfrock, who runs the German DIN label. Torsten performs also as Dynamo, Erosion, Resilent, Traktor besides some others. He's a good friend of Robert Henke and since the Fall of 2004, he is a member of Monolake.
Various Artists was also a short-lived Bristol punk band formed by brothers Jonjo and Robin Key (originally from Birmingham). Other members were also simultaneously in Art Objects who went on to become The Blue Aeroplanes, the latter the Key brothers also co-wrote some songs and were involved in. When Various Artists imploded, the Key brothers went on to form Either / Or.
Various Artists also appear on tracks from musical theater soundtracks, due to the nature of having many cast members on one song, as well as an ensemble in some cases.
A La Claire Fontaine
Various Artists Lyrics
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A Sense of Wonder
Tore Down A La Rimbaud
Showed me pictures in the gallery
Showed me novels on the shelf
Put my hands across the table
Gave me knowledge of myself.
Showed me visions, showed me nightmares
Showed me light out of the tunnel
When there was darkness all around instead.
Tore down a la Rimbaud
And I wish my message would come
Tore down a la Rimbaud, you know it's hard some time
you know it's hard some time.
Showed me ways and means and motions
Showed me what it's like to be
Gave me days of deep devotions
Showed me things I cannot see.
Tore down a la Rimbaud
And I wish my purpose would come
Tore down a la Rimbaud, you know it's hard some time.
You know it's hard some time.
Showed me different shapes and colours
Showed me many different roads
Gave me very clear instructions
When I was in the dark night of the soul.
Tore down a la Rimbaud
And I wish my writing would come
Tore down a la Rimbaud, you know it's hard some time.
you know it's hard some time.
In "Tore Down A La Rimbaud", Van Morrison reflects on the influence of French poet Arthur Rimbaud and the impact he had on Morrison's own artistic journey. The song acknowledges the struggles and challenges that come with creating something meaningful, as expressed in the repeated refrain "you know it's hard sometimes." The verses describe the ways in which Rimbaud's work and legacy helped Morrison discover himself and his own creative potential. Through Rimbaud's poetry, Morrison was able to explore new visions and dreams, find light in times of darkness, and gain knowledge and insights about himself.
The title of the song references Rimbaud's own tumultuous life and the ways in which he tore down and experimented with traditional forms of poetry, paving the way for new movements in literature. Morrison's lyrics suggest that this tearing down of conventions is necessary for true art to emerge, but also acknowledge the difficulties and uncertainties that come with such a process. "Tore Down A La Rimbaud" is ultimately a tribute to the power of art and to those who inspire us to pursue our own creative paths.
Line by Line Meaning
Showed me pictures in the gallery
Opened my eyes to new perspectives by exposing me to different art forms
Showed me novels on the shelf
Introduced me to literature and the power of storytelling
Put my hands across the table
Connected with me personally to foster a deeper relationship
Gave me knowledge of myself
Helped me understand my own identity and values
Showed me visions, showed me nightmares
Exposed me to a range of emotional experiences and perspectives
Gave me dreams that never end
Inspired me and gave me hope for the future
Showed me light out of the tunnel
Guided me out of a difficult situation when there seemed to be no hope
When there was darkness all around instead.
When everything seemed bleak and hopeless
Showed me ways and means and motions
Taught me practical skills and strategies to accomplish my goals
Showed me what it's like to be
Helped me understand what it means to exist and experience life
Gave me days of deep devotions
Inspired me to commit myself wholeheartedly to a cause or belief
Showed me things I cannot see.
Expanded my awareness beyond what is immediately perceptible or observable
Showed me different shapes and colours
Introduced me to diversity and variety in the world
Showed me many different roads
Taught me that there are many possible paths to take in life
Gave me very clear instructions
Provided me with clear guidance and direction
When I was in the dark night of the soul.
When I was going through a period of intense emotional or spiritual turmoil
And I wish my message would come
Expresses a desire to communicate something important, but not yet knowing how to do so effectively
Tore down a la Rimbaud
Referencing the poet Arthur Rimbaud, who famously tore down the boundaries of traditional poetry, this line suggests breaking down barriers or limitations
you know it's hard some time.
Acknowledging that personal growth and creative expression can be challenging and require persistence
And I wish my purpose would come
Expresses a desire to discover one's life purpose or calling
Contributed by Miles B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.