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.
Inner City Blues
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have nots
Money, we make it
Oh, make you wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
This ain't livin', this ain't livin'
No, no baby, this ain't livin'
No, no, no
Inflation no chance
To increase finance
Bills pile up sky high
Send that boy off to die
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
I can't pay my taxes
Oh, make me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Yea, it makes me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Crime is increasing
Trigger happy policing
Panic is spreading
God know where we're heading
Oh, make me wanna holler
They don't understand
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Who are they to judge us
Simply cause we wear our hair long
The song "Inner City Blues" by Various Artists speaks about the struggles and injustices faced by the urban working class in America during the 1960s and 1970s. The opening lines of the song describe society spending money on space travel and moon shots instead of helping the less fortunate. The lyrics go on to discuss issues such as inflation, high bills, and poverty, which lead to financial struggles and feelings of hopelessness. The song speaks to the frustration and anger that people felt during this time, partially inspired by the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War protests.
The chorus, "make me wanna holler, the way they do my life," is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the sense of despair and powerlessness that the working class felt at the time. The lyrics also touch on issues of police brutality, crime, and social ostracization for those who did not follow societal norms. The call for equality and understanding is present in the line, "who are they to judge us simply cause we wear our hair long."
Line by Line Meaning
Dah, dah, dah, dah
Introductory sound
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Repetition of the introductory sound
Dah, dah, dah, dah
More introductory sound
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Final repetition of the introductory sound
Dah, dah, dah
Another sound effect
Rockets, moon shots
Investing in space exploration
Spend it on the have nots
Using money to help those in need
Money, we make it
Generating income
Fore we see it you take it
People taking your money before you can use it
Oh, make you wanna holler
Feeling frustrated and angry
The way they do my life
Negative impact on one's life
Make me wanna holler
Further emphasizing the feeling of frustration and anger
This ain't livin', this ain't livin'
Life is not enjoyable or fulfilling
No, no baby, this ain't livin'
Stressing the point that life is not good
No, no, no
More emphasis on how bad life is
Inflation no chance
Lack of opportunity to improve financial situation due to inflation
To increase finance
Challenging to make more money
Bills pile up sky high
Having numerous bills to pay
Send that boy off to die
Young men being sent to serve in wars and risk their lives
Hang ups, let downs
Difficulties and disappointments in life
Bad breaks, set backs
Obstacles and unfavorable circumstances
Natural fact is
An undeniable truth
I can't pay my taxes
Inability to fulfill financial obligations to the government
Crime is increasing
Rising levels of criminal activity
Trigger happy policing
Police being too quick to use force
Panic is spreading
Widespread fear and anxiety
God know where we're heading
Unclear or concerning future
They don't understand
Others not comprehending the difficult situation
Mother, mother
Addressing a parental figure
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Being judged and criticized by others
Who are they to judge us
Questioning the authority and validity of others' opinions
Simply cause we wear our hair long
Being targeted or discriminated against due to one's appearance
Writer(s): MARVIN GAYE, JAMES NYX
Contributed by Audrey R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.