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.
Chain Of Fools
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain
Chain of fools
For five long years
I thought you were my man
You know, yes I did
But I found out
I'm just a link in his chain, yes I was
Oh, you got me where you want me
I ain't nothin' but his fool
He treated me mean
He treated me cruel
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools
Every chain, every chain
Has got a weak link
I might be weak child
But I'll give you strength
(Woo, woo, woo, woo)
You told me to leave you alone
(Ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo)
My father said, "She can come on home"
(Ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo)
My doctor said, "Take it easy"
(Ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo)
Oh, but your lovin' was much too strong
I'm added to your
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools
One of these mornings
The chain is gonna break, yes it is
But up until the day
I'm gonna take all I can take
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools
Chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain
Your chain of fools
The song "Chain of Fools" by Various Artists is a classic soul anthem about a woman who discovers she has been nothing more than a link in her lover's chain of women. The song features repeating lyrics of "Chain, chain, chain" and "Chain of fools," emphasizing the repetitive and suffocating nature of the woman's situation. The lyrics reveal that for five years, she thought he was her man, but she realized she was just a part of a line of women he was leading on. She describes how he treated her cruelly and mean, but despite this treatment, she feels trapped and powerless.
The lyrics then shift to her determination to break free from the chain of fools. She acknowledges that every chain has a weak link, and although she may be weak, she will find strength to break free. Her family and doctor tell her to leave and take it easy, but she finds herself unable to resist his strong love, even though she knows it's binding her to him further. The song ends with the woman vowing to take all she can take until the chain ultimately breaks.
Overall, "Chain of Fools" is a powerful and relatable song about being stuck in a toxic relationship and the desire to break free. The repetitive nature of the lyrics creates a sense of urgency, and the strong vocals and instrumentation add to the emotional impact of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Chain, chain, chain
Repetition of the titular phrase, emphasizing the cycle of mistreatment and abuse.
Chain of fools
The singer and others like her are stuck in a destructive cycle of relationships with men who use and abuse them, leading to feelings of shame and regret.
For five long years
The length of time the singer has been involved with her abusive partner, which speaks to the depth of her feelings and the complexity of the situation.
I thought you were my man
Her misguided belief that her partner was invested in their relationship and would treat her with respect and kindness.
But I found out
Her realization that her partner is not who she thought he was, which has shattered her illusions and made her question everything she thought she knew about him and their relationship.
I'm just a link in his chain, yes I was
Her feeling of being trapped and powerless in her relationship, which is controlled by her abusive partner.
Oh, you got me where you want me
Her acknowledgement of her partner's power and control over her, which leaves her feeling trapped and helpless.
I ain't nothin' but his fool
Her realization that her partner has taken advantage of her and used her for his own purposes, leading her to feel ashamed and foolish.
He treated me mean
Her partner's abusive behavior towards her, which has left her feeling hurt and confused.
He treated me cruel
Her partner's sadistic behavior towards her, which has left her feeling traumatized and damaged.
Every chain, every chain
Reminding us again that this isn't just her situation, but a common pattern among women in relationships with abusive men.
Has got a weak link
The idea that women are vulnerable and sometimes fall prey to abusive men despite their best efforts to avoid them.
I might be weak child
Her admitting to herself and to others that she is vulnerable to being mistreated by men and may have fallen into an abusive relationship despite herself.
But I'll give you strength
Despite her vulnerability, she is strong and capable of turning things around and supporting others who are experiencing similar situations.
You told me to leave you alone
Her partner has attempted to distance her from her friends and family and isolate her so he can have more control over her.
My father said, "She can come on home"
Despite her partner's attempts to isolate her, her family is supportive of her and wants her to leave the abusive relationship.
My doctor said, "Take it easy"
The emotional and psychological toll of abuse can be just as damaging as physical injuries, and the singer needs to prioritize self-care and healing as she navigates her way out of the relationship.
Oh, but your lovin' was much too strong
The singer was vulnerable to her partner's advances and even though she now knows he was abusive, still romanticizes the relationship and the good moments they shared together.
One of these mornings
Her hope and determination that she will eventually leave her abusive partner and begin the healing process.
The chain is gonna break, yes it is
She believes that her cycle of abuse will come to an end and she will no longer be a victim of her partner's controlling behavior.
But up until the day
Her acknowledgment that it is still difficult to leave the relationship and that it will take time for her to fully extricate herself from the cycle of abuse.
I'm gonna take all I can take
She will continue to be strong and persevere in the face of her partner's abuse until she is able to break free and begin to heal.
Your chain of fools
The abusive partner's pattern of manipulating and controlling women, and the cycle of shame and regret that results from being caught in his chain.
Contributed by Adrian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.