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.
Gentle On My Mind
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And your path is free to walk
That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch
And it's knowing I'm not shackled
By forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that are dried upon some line
That keeps you in the backroads
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
It's not clinging to the rocks and ivy
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Or something that somebody said
Because they thought we fit together walking
It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing
Or forgiving when I walk along some railroad track and find
That you're moving on the backroads
By the rivers of my memory
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind
Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
And some other woman's cryin' to her mother
'Cause she turned and I was gone
I still might run in silence tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun might burn me 'til I'm blind
But not to where I cannot see you walkin' on the backroads
By the rivers flowing gentle on my mind
I dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin'
Cracklin' caldron in some train yard
My beard a rustling, cold towel, and
A dirty hat pulled low across my face
Through cupped hands 'round the tin can
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
That you're waiting from the backroads
By the rivers of my memories
Ever smilin' ever gentle on my mind
The song "Gentle On My Mind" by Various Artists is a love song that describes the connection between the singer and the person they love. The first verse talks about the security the singer feels in their relationship; they know that the other person will always be there for them. This allows them to be free and unattached, as they can leave their belongings behind, knowing they can always come back. The singer also mentions that they are not tied down by any past mistakes or regrets, which allows them to be at ease in the relationship. They reflect on how the memories of the other person keep them grounded and feeling happy, even when they are separated.
In the second verse, the singer describes how they are not bound together by external factors, such as societal expectations or others' opinions. It is simply their mutual understanding of each other that keeps them connected. They acknowledge that they may be separated by distance or other people, but they will always find a way to come back to each other. The singer also reflects on how the memories of the other person can bring them joy, even if they are not physically together.
The chorus repeats the idea that the memories of the other person are "gentle on my mind," meaning they bring a sense of calm and happiness to the singer's thoughts. The final verse describes the singer's physical distance from the other person, but even in the midst of a different life, memories of the other person remain calming and reassuring.
Overall, the song emphasizes the power of memories and connection in a relationship, and how these things can endure even when physical distance or other external factors may be present.
Line by Line Meaning
It's knowing that your door is always open
The fact that you welcome me into your space anytime is reassuring
And your path is free to walk
I find comfort in the freedom and independence that you support for me
That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag
I'm more willing to leave behind things that anchor me down
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch
Because I know that you won't judge me for my unorganized ways
And it's knowing I'm not shackled
I'm free from the constraints and restrictions of a past relationship that held me back
By forgotten words and bonds
I'm not haunted by words that were spoken or promises that were broken
And the ink stains that are dried upon some line
I'm not burdened by the permanence of mistakes I've made in the past
That keeps you in the backroads
The memories of you remain with me in unexpected places
By the rivers of my memory
Reminders of you are constantly flowing through my mind
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
You remain tender and kind in my thoughts
It's not clinging to the rocks and ivy
I'm not holding onto things that no longer serve me or us
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Habits or patterns that were once comforting or familiar can now be suffocating
Or something that somebody said
External opinions or pressure hold no sway in my feelings for you
Because they thought we fit together walking
Other people's expectations of our relationship do not define it
It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing
I'm not worried about facing judgment or criticism from the world
Or forgiving when I walk along some railroad track and find
I feel safe knowing that my actions will not affect our relationship negatively
That you're moving on the backroads
I'm aware that you have your own life and journey, apart from me
By the rivers of my memory
You remain a strong presence in my mind and heart
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind
I can spend hours thinking about you and it doesn't tire me
Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines
Even when the physical distance and mundane realities of life separate us
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
And we find ourselves navigating through obstacles and challenges
And some other woman's cryin' to her mother
And someone else is dealing with the heartache that I know so well
'Cause she turned and I was gone
Because I have experienced the pain of abandonment and loss before
I still might run in silence tears of joy might stain my face
I still find happiness and comfort in my memories of you, even if they bring tears to my eyes
And the summer sun might burn me 'til I'm blind
Even if the intensity of my feelings blinds me temporarily
But not to where I cannot see you walkin' on the backroads
I can still see your presence and influence in my life
By the rivers flowing gentle on my mind
Your presence and influence remain gentle and kind in my thoughts
I dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin'
In moments of solitude, I find comfort in simple things
Cracklin' caldron in some train yard
Even in rough and unexpected places
My beard a rustling, cold towel, and
When I'm feeling vulnerable and exposed
A dirty hat pulled low across my face
I know that thinking of you can offer me a sense of protection and comfort
Through cupped hands 'round the tin can
I can imagine holding you close in moments of vulnerability
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
My imagination offers a sense of comfort and familiarity
That you're waiting from the backroads
I trust that you have your own journey and experiences, separate from me
By the rivers of my memories
But you remain a strong presence and influence in my life
Ever smilin' ever gentle on my mind
You continue to bring warmth and comfort to my thoughts and heart
Writer(s): HAYS THOMAS EUGENE, PULTE JAMES R
Contributed by Lila B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stephen Scudder
a beautiful rendition of a timeless classic
Sandy Coomer
I absolutely love hearing you gentlemen sing together in such great harmony. I could listen to you 24/7 and never get tired of listening to you sing together.
David Holton
So sorry for the infringe on your privacy. Beautiful song. Hello
Chikinawk
What a group of musicians!!
MT Redeker
We just seen them last week! They are AWESOME!!! VERY HUMBLE MEN!!!! Ben and Jimmy sat right behind us having breakfast and treated us as they knew us all their lives! The way people should be treated from any stars! Thank you Ben and Jimmy for speaking to us and most of all your humbleness! All four men are very humble and God can surely use them or anyone that is willing to be used by God! God surely blessed you guys with wonderful talents thanks for being Gods servants and using it to your fullest! God Bless keep on blessing people!
Charles Raines Music
Man, I am gonna be sad when these guys stop making music. One of my favorite groups. At least 1,000 of the views on this video are mine 😂
Sally Biondo
One of my favorite songs and you all did a beautiful job! I liked it, a lot!❤😊
anella d'ambrosio
@Martin Kennedyciao Martin! 🙋♀️😍😘💘🌄
Ronald Stephen REGNIER
It's amazing what someone can do when they have real talent
Enrique Casanovas
What an excellent rendition of the song. I listen to you guys everyday every night and still I can't get enough. I love your harmonies, One of the best sounding groups I've heard in a very very very long time. Thank you gentlemen. Love you guys. Please keep it going. God bless