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.
Black Velvet
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high
Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave
White lightning, bound to drive you wild
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Every word of every song that he sang was for you
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon, what could
You do?
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
If you please, if you please, if you please
The song "Black Velvet" by Various Artists is a tribute to the iconic rock and roll singer, Elvis Presley. It portrays the impact of Elvis's music on the people during his time, and how he captured the public imagination with his style and music. The lyrics describe the scene in Mississippi during a dry spell, where people turn to music as a source of relief. The song references the famous musician Jimmy Rogers and his songs on the Victrola, setting the stage for the musical atmosphere.
The lyrics also talk about the way Elvis's music impacted the audience, especially women. His voice and his signature moves, which were both sweet and sinful, would leave them longing for more. The lines, "Every word of every song that he sang was for you, In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon, what could you do?" describe his sudden death, leaving his fans in shock and disbelief.
Overall, "Black Velvet" is a nostalgic and emotional tribute to Elvis's impact on the world of music. It captures the essence of his music, his style, and his appeal, reminding listeners of the timeless nature of his work.
Line by Line Meaning
Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell
The location in which the singer is singing about is in the midst of a drought
Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high
The singer mentions a specific artist and type of record player to further enhance the setting of the song
Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder
A mother is dancing while holding her child, expressing the joy and carefree nature of the time period
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
The sun is setting slowly, with a thick and viscous feel to it
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything
The boy being sung about had immense talent and was gifted in both singing and dancing
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
The boy was very successful in his talent, but left an impact of desire for more in the hearts of those who heard him
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
The boy had a captivating and charming smile that was as alluring as black velvet
Black velvet with that slow southern style
The boy had a way of performing that was unique to the southern United States region and had a languid, leisurely pace
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
The boy's talent was so incredible that it could be likened to a religious experience and had the power to make listeners feel weak in the knees
Black velvet if you please
The singer emphasizes the charm of the boy's black velvet-like smile
Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave
The music in Memphis was so hot that it could be compared to a heatwave
White lightning, bound to drive you wild
The type of music being played (white lightning) had the power to drive listeners wild with excitement and energy
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl
The boy being sung about was beloved by girls of all ages, and his music was at the center of their hearts
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The song 'Love me tender' by the boy was so moving that it left listeners crying
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
The boy's dancing was so captivating that it seemed almost sinful in its sweetness and trueness to the music
Every word of every song that he sang was for you
The boy put his all into every song he performed, making listeners feel as though the song was just for them
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon, what could You do?
The boy's talent was fleeting and left an impact on those who heard him, making them wish they could experience it again
If you please, if you please, if you please
The singer reiterates the desire to please listeners with the mention of the boy's charming smile
Writer(s): Raymond Dean Flowers, Jez Poole
Contributed by Bailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.