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.
December 1963
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Late December back in '63.
What a very special time for me,
'Cause I remember what a night.
Oh, what a night.
You know, I didn't even know her name,
But I was never gonna be the same.
Oh, I. I got a funny feeling when she walked
In the room and I,
As I recall it ended much too soon.
Oh, what a night,
Hypnotizing, mesmerizing me.
She was everything I dreamed she'd be.
Sweet surrender, what a night!
I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and taking my body under.
Oh, what a night!
Oh, I. I got a funny feeling when she walked
In the room and I,
As I recall it ended much too soon.
Oh, what a night.
Why'd it take so long to see the light?
Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right.
What a lady, what a night!
I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and taking my body under.
Oh, what a night! (Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do)
Oh, what a night! (Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do)
Oh, what a night! (Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do)
Oh, what a night! (Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do)
Oh, what a night! (Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do)
Oh, what a night! (Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do)
The song "December 1963" is a nostalgic reflection of a special night in late December 1963. The singer of the song recalls a chance encounter with a woman who walks into the room and captures his attention. He doesn't know her name, yet she captivates him and takes him on a mesmerizing journey of love and passion. The night ends too soon, but leaves a lasting impression on the singer.
In Frankie Valli's version, the upbeat and joyful rhythm of the song paired with smooth harmonies and falsetto vocals conveys the flirtatiousness and excitement of that special moment. In contrast, the Four Seasons' version focuses on the lyrics and delivers a soulful rendition of the song with more prominent instrumentation.
Other artists such as Michael Bublé, Barry Manilow, and Mary J. Blige have also covered the song, each adding their own unique interpretation to the track.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, what a night.
Expressing the singer's excitement and enthusiasm about the night in question.
Late December back in '63.
Setting the time and place of the event being discussed.
What a very special time for me,
Reflecting on how significant this moment was for the singer.
'Cause I remember what a night.
Acknowledging that the memory of this night has stayed with the singer.
You know, I didn't even know her name,
Admitting that the singer did not even know the woman's name, indicating the power of the attraction they felt.
But I was never gonna be the same.
Implying that the singer's life would be changed forever after this night.
What a lady. What a night.
Praising the woman and the night as being unforgettable.
Oh, I. I got a funny feeling when she walked
In the room and I,
As I recall it ended much too soon.
Recalling feeling an intense attraction to her when she first entered the room, and lamenting that the night ended too soon.
Hypnotizing, mesmerizing me.
She was everything I dreamed she'd be.
Sweet surrender, what a night!
Describing how the singer was captivated by her and how she exceeded his expectations, leading to a memorable and delightful surrender to her allure.
I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and taking my body under.
Expressing the physical and emotional intensity of the attraction and connection the singer experienced.
Why'd it take so long to see the light?
Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right.
What a lady, what a night!
Wondering why it took so long to realize what the singer was missing, acknowledging that the attraction may have initially seemed inappropriate, but ultimately recognizing the significance of the attraction and the fulfilling nature of the experience.
Oh, what a night! (Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do)
Repeating the sentiments expressed throughout the song, emphasizing the excitement and importance of this moment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind