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.
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do the shadows come
And why does my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion?
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
So I sing because I’m happy
And I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
So I sing because I’m happy
And I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches
And I know He watches
And I know He watches me
The song "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" speaks to the theme of faith and trust in God's providence. The first verse begins with a question about why the singer feels discouraged and lonely, despite having Jesus as their source of strength and comfort. The answer lies in the following lines, which assert that Jesus is a constant friend whose eye is on the sparrows, and by extension, on the singer as well. The refrain repeats the sentiment that God watches over the singer, which brings them happiness and freedom.
The metaphor of the sparrow as a symbol of divine care and protection has biblical roots, as Jesus himself mentions sparrows in Matthew chapter 10, verses 29 to 31. The song's lyrics also draw from the Psalms, particularly Psalm 84:3, which states, "Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God."
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I feel discouraged?
I am wondering why I feel downcast and disheartened.
Why do the shadows come
Why do I feel like I'm in darkness and uncertainty?
And why does my heart feel lonely
Why do I feel like there is an emptiness in my heart?
And long for heaven and home
And why do I yearn for a place where my soul belongs?
When Jesus is my portion?
Even though I'm feeling this way, I know that Jesus is enough to satisfy me.
A constant friend is He
Jesus is always there for me as a faithful and reliable friend.
His eye is on the sparrow
Just like a loving owner watches over their pet bird, Jesus is always keeping watch over me.
And I know He watches me
I have faith and trust that Jesus is always looking out for me.
So I sing because I’m happy
Because of my faith and trust in Jesus, I can find happiness and joy even in difficult circumstances.
And I sing because I’m free
I am free from the burdens of sin, and because of that freedom, I can sing with joy.
And I know He watches
I am sure and confident that Jesus is always watching over me.
And I know He watches
I have faith and trust that Jesus is always looking out for me.
And I know He watches me
No matter what happens, I know that Jesus is always watching over me and taking care of me.
Writer(s): Richard Allan Hall, Todd A. Smith, Nicol June Renee Smith
Contributed by Mila G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AlexVonCrank
Hits you right in the heart when he says "Jesus" 💚
@user-su1jw7en7u
I believe these are the songs heaven is made of.
@TheTinyAutistsGuideToTheGalaxy
The finest religious / spiritual song ever .
@ebonykaleidoscope
EVERYTHING that made Marvin Gaye great vocally is on this song.....
@hixlix70
I truly missed this man, you cannot help but love his voice, his songs, his legacy! Another blessed genius taken too soon! This song will be played at my funeral RIP Marvin.
@jacklynmorales4960
Thank you JESUS for MARVIN GAYE💙
@ThriftingGrandmaOf19
For me there has never been another singer to compare to Marvin Gaye!
@vogboguv
To me no other person can sing this song like Marvin Gaye, I play Marvin Gaye songs almost daily. I've been doing this since the very early 60's because when you want the best, well you have the best with Marvin Gaye, PERIOD.
@robindowell309
Verline Ogbogu AMEN!
@jeb711
Verline Ogbogu YES!