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.
All I Have
Various Artists Lyrics
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We have all been blind and yet the answer is staring us in the face.
This could be the chance to ensnare our clever friend.
Firmin and Andre:
We're listening. Go on.
Raoul:
For if Ms. Daae sings, he is certain to attend.
Firmin/Andre:
We are certain the doors are barred.
We are certain the police are there.
Raoul:
We are certain they're armed.
Firmin/Andre/Raoul:
The curtain falls, his reign will end.
Christine (speaking):
Raoul I'm frightened. Don't make me do this. It scares me.
Don't put me through this ordeal by fire.
He'll take me. I know. We'll be parted forever. He won't let me go.
What I once used to dream, I now dread. If he finds me it won't ever end.
(singing)
And he'll always be there singing songs in my head.
He'll always be there singing songs in my head.
Raoul:
You said yourself he was nothing but a man,
yet while he lives he will haunt us 'til we're dead.
Christine:
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Am I to risk my life to win the chance to live?
Can I betray the man who once inspired my voice?
Do I become his prey? Do I have any choice?
He kills without a thought. He murders all that's good.
I know I can't refuse, and yet I wish I could.
Oh God, if I agree what horrors wait for me, in this, the Phantom's opera?
Raoul:
Christine, Christine don't think that I don't care,
but every hope, and every prayer rests on you now.
Phantom:
Seal my fate tonight. I hate to have to cut the fun short.
But the jokes wearing thin, let the audience in, let my opera begin.
The lyrics to "All I Have" from the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" are part of a pivotal scene in which Raoul, Firmin, and Andre plot to ensnare the Phantom. Raoul posits that if Christine Daae sings, the Phantom will be drawn out of hiding, allowing them to catch him. Meanwhile, Christine expresses her fear and reluctance to engage with the Phantom, recognizing the danger he poses to her. She questions whether she can betray the man who inspired her voice and wonders what horrors await her if she agrees to his demands. Raoul reassures her that he cares about her but that everything rests on her shoulders now.
The lyrics beautifully capture the tension and conflict at the heart of the story. On the one hand, there is a desire to capture the Phantom and end his reign of terror. On the other hand, there is the fear and apprehension of what will happen if Christine agrees to sing for him. The imagery of the Phantom as a predator who kills without a thought and twists everything to his own ends is particularly haunting. At the same time, Christine's fear and vulnerability are palpable, making the audience empathize with her situation.
Line by Line Meaning
We have all been blind and yet the answer is staring us in the face.
We have overlooked the solution despite it being quite simple.
We're listening. Go on.
Please continue speaking, we are paying attention.
We shall play his game, perform his work, but remember we hold the ace.
We will act in accordance with his plans, but we have an advantage over him.
For if Ms. Daae sings, he is certain to attend.
He will be drawn to Ms. Daae's singing.
We are certain the doors are barred.
We are positive that the doors are locked.
We are certain the police are there.
We are sure that the police are present.
We are certain they're armed.
We are confident that they have weapons.
The curtain falls, his reign will end.
The end of his performance will signal the end of his power.
Raoul I'm frightened. Don't make me do this. It scares me.
I'm scared of doing this, Raoul. Please don't make me go through with it.
Don't put me through this ordeal by fire.
Please don't subject me to this difficult trial.
He'll take me. I know. We'll be parted forever. He won't let me go.
He will kidnap me and we will be separated forever since he will not release me.
What I once used to dream, I now dread. If he finds me it won't ever end.
What used to bring me joy now only terrifies me. If he locates me, it will never stop.
And he'll always be there singing songs in my head.
He will always be a recurring presence in my thoughts.
You said yourself he was nothing but a man, yet while he lives he will haunt us 'til we're dead.
Although you acknowledged that he is just a person, he will continue to trouble us until we perish.
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
I am conflicted and unsure of what to say or do.
Am I to risk my life to win the chance to live?
Is it reasonable to endanger myself in pursuit of survival?
Can I betray the man who once inspired my voice?
Is it ethical to betray the individual who previously motivated me to sing?
Do I become his prey? Do I have any choice?
Will I be victimized by him, or do I possess any autonomy in this situation?
He kills without a thought. He murders all that's good.
He takes innocent lives without any remorse or consideration.
I know I can't refuse, and yet I wish I could.
Although it is not an option, I long to be able to reject his demands.
Oh God, if I agree what horrors wait for me, in this, the Phantom's opera?
If I consent, what terrible fates will befall me within the Phantom's production?
Christine, Christine don't think that I don't care, but every hope, and every prayer rests on you now.
Christine, please do not believe that I am uninterested, but our entire future lies in your hands.
Seal my fate tonight. I hate to have to cut the fun short.
My destiny will be determined tonight, although I am unhappy about ending the entertainment.
But the jokes wearing thin, let the audience in, let my opera begin.
However, I have grown weary of my own antics. It is time for the performance to begin and for spectators to witness my masterpiece.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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