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.
If You Were Mine
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come in
Well, well, well, look who's here
I haven't seen you in many a year
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
baked a cake, baked a cake
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a band
Grandest band in the land
Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a band
And spread the welcome mat for you
Oh, I don't know where you came from
'cause I don't know where you've been
But it really doesn't matter
Grab a chair and fill your platter
And dig, dig, dig right in
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Hired a band, goodness sake
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
[Instrumental Interlude]
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
baked a cake, baked a cake
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
Had you dropped me a letter
I'd a-hired a band
Grandest band in the land
Had you dropped me a letter
I'd a-hired a band
Spread the welcome mat for you
Oh, I don't know where you came from
'Cause I don't know where you've been
But it really doesn't matter
Grab a chair and fill your platter
And dig, dig, dig right in
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Hired a band, goodness sake
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
Howd-ya do-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
The lyrics to "If I Knew You Were Comin' (I'd've Baked a Cake)" by Eileen Barton are a lighthearted and welcoming greeting to a long-lost friend or acquaintance. The singer says that if they knew the other person was coming, they would have prepared a grand welcome with a cake and the best band in the land. They express excitement at the unexpected visit and invite the visitor to grab a chair and dig in to the food that has been prepared.
Although the lyrics are simple, they convey a warm and hospitable sentiment. The singer seems genuinely happy to see the visitor and is eager to make them feel at home. The use of repetition in parts of the chorus adds a playful and friendly tone to the song. The instrumental interlude adds to the upbeat tone of the song and gives a chance for listeners to enjoy the melody.
Overall, "If I Knew You Were Comin'" is a cheerful and welcoming song that celebrates the joy of unexpected visitors and the importance of hospitality.
Line by Line Meaning
Come in
The singer welcomes the person and invites them to enter the room.
Well, well, well, look who's here
The singer is pleasantly surprised to see the person who has just entered the room.
I haven't seen you in many a year
The singer has not seen the person in a long time.
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake, baked a cake, baked a cake
The artist would have prepared a dessert in advance to celebrate the person's arrival.
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
The artist greets the person with enthusiasm and friendliness.
Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a band, grandest band in the land
The singer would have hired a very good musical group if they had been notified earlier of the person's visit.
And spread the welcome mat for you
The singer would have prepared a more elaborate welcome if they had known the guest was coming.
Oh, I don't know where you came from 'cause I don't know where you've been
The artist is unsure where the person came from or where they have been since their last meeting.
But it really doesn't matter, grab a chair and fill your platter
The artist is not concerned with the past, and encourages the person to relax, eat and enjoy themselves.
And dig, dig, dig right in
The artist urges the person to begin eating.
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake, hired a band, goodness sake
The singer reiterates that they would have prepared more for the person's arrival if they had known in advance.
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
The artist enthusiastically repeats their greeting to the person.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL HOFFMAN, BOB MERRILL, ALBERT J TRACE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CBurns1990
❤Okay, so can we just say it again... Miranda is the real deal!! You can tell she is humble & kind being herself as she sings, enjoying the music. Knowing she wrote this song for Leon to sing alongside her is a reminder of her talent in both witting & knowing what her fans will enjoy. This song is a new fave for me. The video is a plus. Keeping it
💯 🔥❤🎉
@kcgage7009
Very Awesome Song . Very good lyrics. Your Voices together are very powerful. Feel good Music. I really like this one . Thanks 👍.
@davehengel2710
Miranda Lambert is
One of the nicest woman. I know her personal she is very sweet and truly down to earth 😎
@c3kerl561
Absolutely a banger. This is gonna win some awards. Good job Miranda & Leon.
@paulasmith257
This goes to the TOP of my favs list
@conniesanford9288
YES
@donnabonnette-wakefield4356
She can do anything and can sing with anyone.She is a real superstar and the Queen of Country!❤️💯
@ritamead6318
Yes.. I really think she would sound good singing with anyone..
@angeyturpin9037
I like to say she is this generations Dolly. Super talented & gonna be around a long time!!
@jillschwab7539
Still the queen 👑 ❤ Leon Bridges was the perfect duet partner