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.
Changes
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still don’t know what I was lookin' for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I’d got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
Of how the others must see the faker
I’m much too fast to take that test
Changes
(Turn and face the strange)
Changes
Don’t want to be a richer one
Changes
(Turn and face the strange)
Changes
Just gonna have to be a different one
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time
I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
They're immune to your consultations
They’re quite aware of what they’re going through
Changes
(Turn and face the strange)
Changes
Don't tell them to grow up and out of it
Changes
(Turn and face the strange)
Changes
Where’s your shame
You’ve left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can’t trace time
Strange fascination, fascinating me
Ah changes are taking the pace I’m going through
Changes
(Turn and face the strange)
Changes
Oh, look out you rock ’n rollers
Changes
(Turn and face the strange)
Changes
Pretty soon now you’re gonna get a little older
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can’t trace time
The song "Changes" by Various Artists is a reflective and contemplative expression of the challenges of life and the process of self-discovery. The opening lyrics express the feeling of being lost and aimless in life, searching for something elusive and intangible. The singer reflects on a life filled with dead ends and false promises. He turns inward to examine himself but is unable to escape the perception of the outside world. He knows that he is a faker but cannot understand how others see him.
The lyrics then segue into the theme of change, urging the listener to turn and face the strange. There is a sense that change is both inevitable and desirable, but it is also fraught with uncertainty and danger. The singer warns against forcing others to grow up too quickly and brushing aside the struggles of young people who are trying to find their way in the world. The final lyrics express a sense of acceptance and resignation about the passage of time, acknowledging that while it is impossible to trace time, it is still a powerful force that shapes our lives and the world around us.
Overall, the song is a poignant expression of the human experience, capturing the fragility and complexity of life and the universal struggles we all face as we navigate the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah, mm
An expression of confidence or satisfaction, possibly in response to something that just happened.
Still don’t know what I was lookin' for
Feeling lost or uncertain about one's purpose or goals in life.
And my time was running wild
Lack of direction or structure in one's life, causing time to feel out of control or wasted.
A million dead-end streets
Feeling stuck or hopeless, with no clear path forward in life.
Every time I thought I’d got it made
Feeling like one has achieved success or happiness, only to have it slip away.
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
Finding that success or happiness is not as satisfying as one thought it would be.
So I turned myself to face me
Taking a hard look at oneself, facing one's flaws and weaknesses.
But I’ve never caught a glimpse
Feeling disconnected from one's true self, despite attempts at introspection.
Of how the others must see the faker
Wondering how others perceive oneself, especially if one is hiding behind a false persona or facade.
I’m much too fast to take that test
Feeling like one is too busy or preoccupied to invest the time and effort required for self-reflection and personal growth.
Changes
A call to action, urging oneself (and possibly others) to embrace change in order to grow and evolve.
(Turn and face the strange)
A reminder that change is often uncomfortable or unfamiliar, requiring one to face the unknown and take risks.
Don’t want to be a richer one
Not feeling motivated by wealth or material possessions, desiring something more meaningful or fulfilling.
Just gonna have to be a different one
Accepting that one's path in life may be nontraditional or divergent from societal norms.
Time may change me
Acknowledging that change is inevitable and that one may evolve over time, whether by choice or circumstance.
But I can’t trace time
Recognizing that the passage of time is unpredictable and uncontrollable, and that one cannot always foresee the future or understand the past.
I watch the ripples change their size
Observing the subtle changes that occur around oneself, possibly in nature or in interpersonal relationships.
But never leave the stream
Feeling a sense of continuity or connection to something larger than oneself, even as individual circumstances change.
Of warm impermanence
Finding comfort in the transitory nature of life, and recognizing that change is a natural part of the human experience.
So the days float through my eyes
Feeling detached or disconnected from the passing of time, savoring the present moment but unsure of what lies ahead.
But still the days seem the same
Feeling trapped in a monotonous or unfulfilling routine, with little change or excitement in one's daily life.
And these children that you spit on
Calling attention to the mistreatment or neglect of younger generations by older ones, who may not understand or value their unique perspectives and experiences.
As they try to change their worlds
Recognizing the desire of younger generations to effect meaningful change in the world around them, despite facing obstacles and opposition.
They're immune to your consultations
Asserting that younger generations may not listen to or respect the opinions of older ones, who may not understand or support their goals and ideas.
They’re quite aware of what they’re going through
Recognizing that younger generations are not naive or ignorant about their own experiences and challenges, despite being dismissed or disregarded by older ones.
Where’s your shame
Challenging those who have not taken responsibility for or addressed societal problems, urging them to take action and hold themselves accountable.
You’ve left us up to our necks in it
Blaming older generations for the problems inherited by younger ones, who now must deal with their consequences.
Strange fascination, fascinating me
Feeling captivated or intrigued by something that is unconventional or unexpected, possibly related to personal growth or societal change.
Ah changes are taking the pace I’m going through
Acknowledging that change is happening rapidly or in unexpected ways, influencing the direction and speed of one's personal growth and evolution.
Oh, look out you rock ’n rollers
Addressing those in the music industry who may be resistant to change or unwilling to take risks in their creative endeavors.
Pretty soon now you’re gonna get a little older
Suggesting that those who resist change will eventually be forced to confront reality and deal with the consequences of inaction.
I said that time may change me
Repeating the earlier acknowledgment that change is inevitable, and that one may grow and evolve over time.
But I can’t trace time
Stressing the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of time, and accepting that one cannot always understand or anticipate the future or the past.
Contributed by Taylor H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.