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.
Connection
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seven billion swimmers, man I′m going through the motions
Sent up a flare, I need love and devotion
Traded for some faces that I never know, notion
Maybe I should try to find the old me
Take me to the places and the people that know me
Trying to just connect, thinking maybe you could show me
If there's so many people here, then why am I so lonely?
Can I get, can I get a connection?
Can I get a connection?
Can I get, can I get a connection?
Real friends, good friends hard to find, let′s face it
Buy the perfect home and there's a flood in the basement
Made a couple dollars now and I ain't tryna chase it
Kids from Oklahoma, man we don′t waste it
I′m just tryna paint the picture for me
Something I can give a damn about at maybe 40
Years and I'll be ready and willing and able to edit the story
Cause there′s so many people here to be so damn lonely
Can I get a connection?
Can I get, can I get a connection?
Can I get a connection?
Can I get, can I get a connection?
I can see it in my, see it in my reflection
Oh, can I get a connection?
Can I get, can I get a connection?
Instrumental
Right now, I'm switching to a new lane
Foot to the floor, man searching for the real thing
Need somebody else, sometimes ain′t no shame
Head to the clouds sayin'
It′s like can I get a connection?
Can I get, can I get a connection?
Can I get a connection?
Can I get, can I get a connection?
I can see it in my, see it in my reflection
Oh, can I get a connection?
Can I get, can I get a connection?
Tryna find my old me!
Lonely
The lyrics of "Connection" speak to the universal human desire for connection and belonging. The singer describes feeling lost and disconnected in a world where there are so many people around him. He talks about how hard it is to find real friends and how he's tried to trade love and devotion for the empty faces of strangers. He longs for someone to show him how to connect, how to find the places and people who truly know him. The chorus repeats the simple yet powerful plea: "Can I get a connection?"
Different artists have approached the lyrics in their own way. One might interpret the verses as a commentary on the difficulties of modern life, where social media gives us an illusion of being connected but in reality leaves us feeling more alone than ever. Another might read it as a personal reflection on the challenges of fame and success, how it can isolate us from our true selves and the people we love. The instrumental break in the song could represent a moment of introspection, a chance to reflect on what really matters in life. Ultimately, the song's message is one of hope: even in our darkest moments, we can still reach out and seek the connections that give our lives meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
These days my waves get lost in the ocean
Lately, my efforts to make a connection with people are being futile, and I feel like I'm lost in the sea of people.
Seven billion swimmers, man I'm going through the motions
With the world's population being seven billion, it feels like everyone is moving just for the sake of moving, and not for any meaningful connection.
Sent up a flare, I need love and devotion
I'm desperately searching for someone to show me love and loyalty, and I'm making an effort to signal my need for it.
Traded for some faces that I never know, notion
I've exchanged meaningful relationships for constantly meeting new people, and I don't feel like I have any true connections with anyone.
Maybe I should try to find the old me
Perhaps it's time for me to search for the person I used to be, a time when I felt more connected to the people and places that I enjoyed.
Take me to the places and the people that know me
I want to go back to the places and people that I have a past with, in order to feel a sense of familiarity and bond once again.
Trying to just connect, thinking maybe you could show me
I'm putting forth an effort to connect with others, and I'm hoping that someone else can guide me through that process.
If there's so many people here, then why am I so lonely?
Despite the vast number of people in the world, I still feel isolated and alone.
Can I get a connection?
I'm searching for a meaningful bond with others and asking if it's even possible.
Real friends, good friends hard to find, let's face it
It's difficult to find genuine and loyal friends, and I'm acknowledging that fact.
Buy the perfect home and there's a flood in the basement
Even with materialistic success, there can still be unexpected problems and setbacks that disrupt the ideal life.
Made a couple dollars now and I ain't tryna chase it
I've attained financial success, but I'm not interested in obsessing over money and making it my only focus in life.
Kids from Oklahoma, man we don't waste it
Growing up in Oklahoma taught me to appreciate what I have, and to not take anything for granted.
I'm just tryna paint the picture for me
I'm striving to create a positive life experience for myself, even if it's not perfect for others.
Something I can give a damn about at maybe 40
I'm working towards creating a fulfilling life that I can be proud of when I reach middle-age.
Years and I'll be ready and willing and able to edit the story
As time progresses, I'll have the opportunity to modify and improve my life experience, making the necessary changes to make it more meaningful and impactful.
Cause there's so many people here to be so damn lonely
Despite the vast population of the world, people can still feel isolated and disconnected from others.
I can see it in my, see it in my reflection
I can sense the absence of meaningful connections in my life when I look at myself in the mirror.
Oh, can I get a connection?
I'm still hoping to make a significant bond with someone, and I'm questioning if it's possible.
Right now, I'm switching to a new lane
I'm taking a new direction in my life in order to find more meaningful and impactful connections.
Foot to the floor, man searching for the real thing
I'm putting all of my energy and focus into discovering genuine and sincere connections with others.
Need somebody else, sometimes ain't no shame
It's okay to admit that I need the presence of others in my life in order to feel happy and fulfilled.
Head to the clouds sayin'
With optimism, I'm setting out on this path of finding meaningful connections.
It's like can I get a connection?
I'm still searching for a genuine, long-lasting bond with someone, and I'm questioning if it's even possible.
Contributed by Isaiah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.