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.
How Long
Various Artists Lyrics
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She said, "Boy tell me honestly"
She said, "Save your apologies"
On me
Baby
Long has this been going on
I've been feelin' it lately
Yeah, one more!
I′ll admit, my fault
But you gotta believe me
I try, I try, I try
But you′ll never see that
She said, "Boy tell me honestly" (honestly yeah)
Was it real or just for show?
She said, "Save your apologies" (apologies, yeah)
Baby I just gotta know
Long has this been going on
On me (on me)
Baby (baby)
Long has this been going on
You've been actin′ so shady (shady)
I've been feelin′ it lately
Yeah, one more!
On me (on me)
Baby (baby)
Long has this been going on
You've been actin′ so shady (shady)
I've been feelin' it lately (how long has this been)
(Goin′ on) yeah, one more!
(You′ve been creepin' ′round on me)
How long has it been goin' on baby?
How long has it been goin′ on?
You've been actin′ so shady (shady)
I've been feelin' it lately
To Taylor Swift, this song could represent a personal confession. As the queen of break-up anthems, she would be able to capture the pain and confusion caused by a relationship where one party has acted unfaithfully. The main character in the song recognises that they were at fault to some extent, but they also feel that their partner's actions have contributed to the current mess. This fits well within Swift's lyrical style, which often speaks of complex relationships and the hurt feelings that they can cause. Musically, it's possible that she might lean into a stripped-back sound on this song, focusing on the raw emotion of the lyrics.
To Justin Bieber, these lyrics could inspire a catchy and relatable pop song. Bieber has a talent for creating singalong melodies, and he could use the repeating lines in the chorus to create an earworm of a hook ("Long has this been going on, on me, baby"). His vocal style could work well with the vulnerability and regret on display in the lyrics, drawing out the sorrow of lines like "I try, I try, I try / But you'll never see that". Given the ongoing public interest in Bieber's personal life, it's possible that he could even draw on his own experiences to make this song more personal, though it's just as likely that he could treat it as a standalone track.
To Dua Lipa, this song could be a rallying cry for self-love and empowerment. Lipa is known for her fierce, unapologetic attitude and her love of catchy pop beats. She could use the lyrics to remind listeners that they deserve better than someone who treats them badly: "She said, 'Save your apologies' / Baby I just gotta know." Her vocals could be used to great effect on lines like "Was it real or just for show?", capturing the frustration and anger felt by the wronged party. Musically, she could create a pulsing, danceable track that encourages listeners to shake off negative feelings and move forward with confidence.
Line by Line Meaning
I was drunk, I was gone, that don′t make it right, but...
I made a mistake and acted irresponsibly while under the influence but that doesn't excuse my actions.
She said, "Boy tell me honestly"
The woman I'm singing about asked me to be truthful with her
She said, "Save your apologies"
She didn't want me to apologize to her
Long has this been going on
This situation has been happening for a while
You've been actin′ so shady (shady)
You've been behaving in a dishonest or suspicious manner
I've been feelin' it lately
I've started to have a strong suspicion about something or someone recently.
On me
Refers to the woman's focus
Baby
An affectionate term used for the woman
I′ll admit, my fault
I'm accepting responsibility for my part in this situation.
But you gotta believe me
I need you to trust me
Was it real or just for show?
The woman is questioning whether my actions were genuine or fake
You′ve been creepin' ′round on me
You've been secretly seeing or talking to someone else
How long has it been goin' on baby?
I want to know how long you've been involved with this other person
Writer(s): Paul Melvyn Carrack
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.