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.
I Wanna Be Free
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[John Lennon/The Plastic Ono Band/The Flux Fiddlers]
well, i don't wanna be a
soldier mama, i don't wanna
die
well, i don't wanna be a
sailor mama, i don't wanna
well, i don't wanna be a
failure mama, i don't wanna
cry
well, i don't wanna be a
soldier mama, i don't wanna
die
oh no oh no oh no oh no
well, i don't wanna be a
rich man mama, i don't wanna
cry
well, i don't wanna be a
poor man mama, i don't wanna
fly
well, i don't wanna be a
lawyer mama, i don't wanna
lie
well, i don't wanna be a
soldier mama, i don't wanna
die
oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no
oh no
well, i don't wanna be a
beggar mama, i don't wanna
die
well, i don't wanna be a
thief now mama, i don't wanna
fly
well, i don't wanna be a
churchman mama, i don't wanna
cry
well, i don't wanna be a
soldier mama, i don't wanna
die
oh no oh no oh no oh no
The song "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" by John Lennon is a statement on the Vietnam War era and the pressures faced by young men at the time to join the military. The lyrics protest the violence and destruction that comes with being a soldier, as well as the societal pressures to conform to specific roles such as a rich man, poor man, lawyer or churchman. The chorus repeats the line "I don't wanna die," emphasizing the fear and resistance to participating in the violent, traumatic events of war.
The repetition of the phrase "Oh no" throughout the song adds an element of desperation and helplessness, further emphasizing the intensity of the emotions being expressed. By stating what he doesn't want to be, Lennon draws attention to the social constructs that limit individual choice and freedom, and highlights the importance of standing up against those who seek to impose their views on others.
Overall, the song is a powerful anti-war message and a call for individuals to resist the systems of power and control that seek to manipulate and oppress them.
Line by Line Meaning
well, i don't wanna be a soldier mama, i don't wanna die
I am expressing my desire to not serve in the military and potentially lose my life.
well, i don't wanna be a sailor mama, i don't wanna
fly
In addition to not wanting to be a soldier, I also have no desire to join the navy or airforce.
well, i don't wanna be a
failure mama, i don't wanna
cry
I am scared of failing and the emotional distress that comes with it.
well, i don't wanna be a
rich man mama, i don't wanna
cry
Money and wealth are not worth the pain that can come with them.
well, i don't wanna be a
poor man mama, i don't wanna
fly
While I don't want to be rich, I also don't want to be poor and unable to do things I want to do.
well, i don't wanna be a
lawyer mama, i don't wanna
lie
I don't want to work in a profession that requires dishonesty or manipulation.
well, i don't wanna be a
beggar mama, i don't wanna
die
I don't want to be in a position of extreme poverty and potential danger.
well, i don't wanna be a
thief now mama, i don't wanna
fly
I don't want to resort to stealing to survive or obtain things I want.
well, i don't wanna be a
churchman mama, i don't wanna
cry
I am not interested in a religious profession that may involve emotional distress and conflict with personal values.
well, i don't wanna be a
soldier mama, i don't wanna
die
Reiterating my desire to not serve in the military and put my life on the line.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind