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.
Copacabana
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was a showgirl.
With yellow feathers in her hair, and her dress got down to dance,
She would meringue, and do the cha-cha. Although she tried to be a star, Tony always tended bar. Across a crowded floor, they worked from 8 till 4.
The opening lyrics of the popular song Copacabana by Various Artists, set the stage for the following story of love, jealousy and ultimately tragedy, at a famous nightclub in Rio de Janeiro. The first line, "Her name was Lola" introduces the singer of the song, Lola, who is a showgirl at the Copacabana nightclub. Lola's glamorous appearance is conveyed through the yellow feathers in her hair and her dress, which she effortlessly moves in while dancing the meringue and cha-cha.
Despite her attempts to become a star, Lola is unable to breakout due to her involvement with Tony, the bartender at the Copacabana. Tony is struggling to make ends meet and is often preoccupied with his work, while Lola continues to perform at the club. The mention of "8 till 4" implies that they work long hours together and often across a crowded floor.
The opening lyrics of Copacabana set the stage for an engaging and tragic story to follow, which is narrated through a catchy melody and vivid descriptions of the nightclub setting.
Line by Line Meaning
Her name was Lola.
Introducing our protagonist, a woman named Lola.
She was a showgirl.
Lola worked in the entertainment industry as a dancer or performer.
With yellow feathers in her hair, and her dress got down to dance,
Lola's attire consisted of a dress that allowed her freedom of movement and was adorned with yellow feathers in her hair.
She would meringue, and do the cha-cha.
Lola's dance repertoire included the meringue and cha-cha styles.
Although she tried to be a star, Tony always tended bar.
Despite her efforts to become a star, Lola was not successful and instead, Tony held a job as a bartender.
Across a crowded floor, they worked from 8 till 4.
Lola and Tony worked in the same establishment, and despite it being busy, they both worked long hours from 8 pm to 4 am.
Writer(s): Barry Manilow, Jack A. Feldman, Bruce H. Sussman
Contributed by Jayden W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.