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.
Daylight
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At summit talks you'll hear them speak
It's only Monday
Negotiations breaking down
See those leaders start to frown
It's sword and gun day
Tomorrow never comes until it's too late
The news will hit you like a punch
It's only Tuesday
You never thought we'd go to war
After all the things we saw
It's April Fools' day
Tomorrow never comes until it's too late
Tomorrow never comes until it's too late
You hear a whistling overhead
Are you alive or are you dead?
It's only Thursday
You feel a shaking on the ground
A billion candles burn around
Is it your birthday?
Tomorrow never comes until it's too late
Tomorrow never comes until it's too late
Make tomorrow come I think it's too late
The song "Daylight" by Various Artists is a poignant commentary on the unpredictable and often fleeting nature of life. The lyrics begin by describing the start of a new week, with leaders gathering to negotiate important issues. However, the negotiations quickly break down, leading to the threat of violence and conflict. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting the theme that "tomorrow never comes until it's too late."
Moving on to Tuesday, the lyrics describe how unexpected news can strike like a punch, even when things seem normal and routine. The mention of April Fools' day adds an extra layer of irony, implying that even seemingly harmless pranks can have serious consequences. The repetition of "tomorrow never comes" serves as a warning to live in the present and not take anything for granted.
The third verse takes an even darker turn, with the whistling of bombs and the uncertainty of life and death. The mention of a billion candles burning suggests a time of mourning and remembrance, perhaps referencing the aftermath of a war or natural disaster. The final line of the song, "Make tomorrow come, I think it's too late," reinforces the urgency of living life to the fullest and not putting off what truly matters.
Overall, "Daylight" is a powerful song that encourages listeners to appreciate the present and never take life for granted. Through its vivid imagery and haunting melody, it captures the fragility and preciousness of human existence.
Line by Line Meaning
At the starting of the week
The week begins and events begin to unfold.
At summit talks you'll hear them speak
Leaders will try to make decisions and negotiate.
It's only Monday
The week has only just begun.
Negotiations breaking down
Attempts at compromise and agreement are falling apart.
See those leaders start to frown
The leaders express their frustration and bellicosity.
It's sword and gun day
The use of force and weapons may become necessary.
Tomorrow never comes until it's too late
Procrastination may have dire consequences.
You could be sitting taking lunch
Doing unimportant things when unexpected news arrives.
The news will hit you like a punch
The reality of the situation is harsh and sudden.
It's only Tuesday
The week progresses but disaster seems close at hand.
You never thought we'd go to war
The idea of warfare seems remote and improbable.
After all the things we saw
The actions and events that led to this point were not violent.
It's April Fools' day
A cruel and tragic joke of fate.
You hear a whistling overhead
The sound of missiles incoming.
Are you alive or are you dead?
The possibility of death is imminent and unknown.
It's only Thursday
Another day of the week passes, but the situation remains dire.
You feel a shaking on the ground
The ground trembles from explosions and fighting.
A billion candles burn around
The destruction and loss of human life is immense and overwhelming.
Is it your birthday?
A bitter irony of celebrating another year of life in the midst of war and chaos.
Make tomorrow come I think it's too late
A desperate plea for action and change before it is too late.
Contributed by Violet N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.