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.
Damage
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Allows the voices in
They wanna push you off the path
With their frequency wires
You can do no wrong
In my eyes
In my eyes
In my eyes
In my eyes
A drunken salesman
You're hearing damage
Your mind is restless
They say you're getting better
But you don't feel any better
Your speakers are blowing
Your ears are wrecking
You're hearing damage
You wish you felt better
You wish you felt better
You can do no wrong
In my eyes
In my eyes
You can do no wrong
In my eyes
In my eyes
In my
In my eyes
In my eyes
In my eyes
The song "Damage" by Various Artists speaks about the internal struggles of a person who has experienced emotional pain and suffering. The first verse, "A tear in my brain/Allows the voices in/ They wanna push you off the path/With their frequency wires" suggests the person has suffered some sort of emotional trauma that has created a vulnerability within them. They hear voices that want to push them off their path and cause further damage.
The second verse suggests that the person is trying to overcome their suffering, with the line "You're hearing damage/Your mind is restless/They say you're getting better/But you don't feel any better", implying that they are seeking help but not experiencing any improvement. The third verse speaks about physical symptoms related to this emotional trauma, with the lines "Your speakers are blowing/Your ears are wrecking/You're hearing damage", which could be interpreted as physical manifestations of the person's emotional pain.
The repetition of "You can do no wrong in my eyes" in the chorus suggests that the person singing the song is offering a kind of love and support to the person who is suffering. This repeating of the line could imply that the singer is trying to counterbalance the negative voices that the person is experiencing.
Line by Line Meaning
A tear in my brain
I have an emotional wound that has allowed negative thoughts and doubts to enter my mind.
Allows the voices in
The negative thoughts and doubts in my mind are manifesting as voices and affecting my beliefs and actions.
They wanna push you off the path
The negative voices in my head are trying to discourage and derail me from pursuing my goals and dreams.
With their frequency wires
The negative voices in my head are using various methods, like repetition and fear, to influence and control my thoughts and actions.
You can do no wrong
Despite the doubts and negativity in my mind, I believe in you and your abilities. You are capable of success and I support you.
In my eyes
This belief and support comes from my personal perception and convictions, and does not depend on external validation or criticism.
A drunken salesman
You are like a person who is intoxicated or deceived by false promises, leading to poor decisions and outcomes.
You're hearing damage
Your experiences and choices have had negative consequences on your mental, emotional, and physical health, and it's affecting your ability to function normally.
Your mind is restless
Your thoughts and emotions are in constant turmoil, making it difficult to focus, relax, or enjoy life.
They say you're getting better
There is hope for recovery and improvement, but it requires effort, time, and support from others.
But you don't feel any better
Despite external signs of progress, your internal struggles and pain are still present and overwhelming, making it hard to find motivation or hope.
Your speakers are blowing
The external world is overwhelming and noisy, and you are having trouble processing or escaping from it.
Your ears are wrecking
Your senses are exhausted and overstimulated by the constant barrage of sounds and information, leading to physical and mental fatigue.
You wish you felt better
You are aware of your struggles and wish to find relief, happiness, and purpose in life.
Writer(s): Lowell Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Chezidek, Hopeton St Aubin Lindo
Contributed by Liam W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.