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.
But Not for Me
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It doesn't matter 'cause I don't care
I crossed the line I'm not a slave
I have the world to find my way
So I'm running I keep running
I'll go running I'm always running
Save a prayer but not for me
Life is wrong as you can see
I said goodbye to all my friends
So I'm running ain't got money
Always running
Far and near
Twisted souls around the night
Concrete deserts million lights
I look for your changed face
To follow your extinguished trace
Ask yourself try to get something new
Ask yourself try to get something real
So I'm running ain't got money
I'm always running
Far and near
The lyrics of Various Artists' song "But Not for Me" depict a sense of defiance and freedom mixed with a tinge of loneliness and despair. The singer in the song addresses an unknown person, declaring that they do not care about their identity as they have crossed a line and are not a slave to normalcy anymore. They plan on exploring the world and finding their own way, even if it means leaving everything behind. The repetition of the line "I'm always running" reinforces the theme of escape.
The next few lines describe a melancholic view of life, as the singer sees it as wrong, and nobody knows about their plans. The phrase "save a prayer but not for me" could mean that the singer does not need any wishes for their well-being or success, as they have their own plans and will make their own future. The line "I said goodbye to all my friends" suggests a complete break from their old life.
The second half of the song plays out like a stream of consciousness, with the singer observing the world around them while looking for something new and real. The verse about the "twisted souls" and "concrete deserts" depicts a sense of alienation and isolation. The song ends as it began, with the singer still running, with no money and wandering far and near.
Overall, the lyrics of "But Not for Me" convey a sense of adventure and defiance, mixed with loneliness and disillusionment. The singer sees the world for what it is, but still cannot help but keep running.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey you! You know who I am
The singer is confident in their identity and assumes the listener is familiar with them.
It doesn't matter 'cause I don't care
The singer is apathetic towards the listener's opinion or knowledge of them.
I crossed the line I'm not a slave
The singer has broken away from societal norms and restrictions, and is now free and independent.
I have the world to find my way
The artist is on a journey of self-discovery, with endless possibilities and opportunities to explore in the world.
So I'm running I keep running
The artist is actively pursuing their goals and desires, not allowing themselves to be held back or slowed down.
I'll go running I'm always running
The singer is committed to their path of self-discovery and freedom, constantly seeking new experiences and challenges.
Save a prayer but not for me
The singer is uninterested in external support or guidance, preferring to rely on their own strength and intuition.
Life is wrong as you can see
The artist views life as flawed or imperfect, and has chosen to reject or challenge the status quo.
Nobody knows about my plans
The artist has kept their goals and intentions private, perhaps out of fear of judgment or interference from others.
I said goodbye to all my friends
The artist has severed ties with their social circle, possibly in pursuit of their individual goals or a desire for independence.
So I'm running ain't got money
The singer is undeterred by financial limitations, willing to sacrifice comfort or stability in pursuit of their goals.
Always running
The artist is committed to their path of self-discovery, even if it means constantly being on the move.
Far and near
The singer is willing to travel great distances and face new challenges in order to find themselves and pursue their passions.
Twisted souls around the night
The singer sees the world around them as dark and perhaps sinister or corrupted.
Concrete deserts million lights
The singer is likely in a city, where artificial light and urbanization have impacted the natural world.
I look for your changed face
The artist seeks familiarity or connection in their surroundings, perhaps hoping to find a sense of belonging or guidance.
To follow your extinguished trace
The artist is following a path that has already been traveled or abandoned by someone else, perhaps in search of answers or inspiration.
Ask yourself try to get something new
The singer is challenging the listener to step outside of their comfort zone and seek out new experiences or perspectives.
Ask yourself try to get something real
The singer is encouraging the listener to seek authenticity and truth in their own lives, rather than settling for superficiality or conformity.
Writer(s): Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Contributed by Julian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.