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.
Insomnia
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is when I search for the light
Pick up my pen and start to write
I struggle and fight dark forces
In the clear moonlight without fear
Insomnia
I can't get no sleep
I used to worry
Thought I was going mad
In a hurry getting stressed
Making excess mess in darkness
No electricity, some thing's all over me
Greasy, insomnia
Please release me
And let me dream of making mad love
To my girl on the heath
Tearing off tights with my teeth
But there's no release, no peace
I toss and turn without cease
Like a curse, open my eyes and rise like yeast
At least a couple of weeks
Since I last slept, kept taking sleepers
But now I keep myself pepped
Deeper still that night, I write by candlelight
I find insight fundamental movement
So when it's black, this insomniac
Take an original tack
Keep the beast in my nature
Under ceaseless attack
I gets no sleep
I can't get no sleep
I can't get no sleep
I can't get no sleep
I need to sleep
I can't get no sleep
I need to sleep
I can't get no sleep
I need to sleep
I can't get no sleep
The song "Insomnia" is about the experience of insomnia, and the anxiety, frustration, and desperation that can come with it. The first verse talks about the late night struggle to find inspiration, fighting against the darkness and trying to find clarity. The chorus emphasizes the key theme of the song, which is the inability to sleep. The second verse describes the feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed, and the desire to be released from the grip of insomnia. The third verse continues with the description of an obsessive mind that cannot rest, and the feeling of being trapped in a state of constant wakefulness.
The lyrics are full of vivid imagery, from the "clear moonlight" to the "greasy" feeling that the singer describes. There is also a sense of desperation and urgency, especially in the chorus where the repetition of "I can't get no sleep" reinforces the central message of the song. At the same time, there is a sense of creative energy that runs throughout the lyrics, with the singer "write[ing] by candlelight" and finding "insight" even in the midst of their struggle.
Overall, "Insomnia" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the experience of a sleepless night with both honesty and creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep in the bosom of the gentle night
During the peaceful, calm night, I search for enlightenment within myself.
Is when I search for the light
This is when I search for a solution or inspiration.
Pick up my pen and start to write
I express myself and reflect on my thoughts through writing.
I struggle and fight dark forces
I face and resist negative influences.
In the clear moonlight without fear
I am not afraid to confront my struggles under the bright moon.
Insomnia
My struggle with sleeplessness.
I can't get no sleep
I am unable to fall asleep.
I used to worry
I used to be anxious and stressed.
Thought I was going mad
I used to think I was losing my mind.
In a hurry getting stressed
I became anxious due to a fast-paced lifestyle.
Making excess mess in darkness
My anxiety caused me to create a chaotic environment for myself.
No electricity, some thing's all over me
During a power outage, I feel a presence looming over me.
Greasy, insomnia
My restlessness is like an unpleasant, oily feeling.
Please release me
I am pleading for freedom from insomnia.
And let me dream of making mad love
I wish to dream of passionate lovemaking.
To my girl on the heath
To my lover in a deserted, open area of land.
Tearing off tights with my teeth
I wish to passionately undress my lover.
But there's no release, no peace
I am unable to find solace or freedom from my insomnia.
I toss and turn without cease
I am constantly restless and unable to find a comfortable position.
Like a curse, open my eyes and rise like yeast
I awaken from my sleeplessness feeling cursed and restless, like yeast rising in dough.
At least a couple of weeks
It has been at least a few weeks since I last slept well.
Since I last slept, kept taking sleepers
I have been taking sleeping pills to help me sleep, but it hasn't been effective.
But now I keep myself pepped
I keep myself alert and energized.
Deeper still that night, I write by candlelight
I look inward more deeply when writing by candlelight.
I find insight fundamental movement
I gain a deeper understanding of myself and the world through my writing.
So when it's black, this insomniac
As an insomniac, when it's dark or nighttime...
Take an original tack
I take a unique approach or perspective.
Keep the beast in my nature under ceaseless attack
I constantly fight my inner demons or negative tendencies.
I gets no sleep
I am still unable to sleep.
I need to sleep
I desperately crave rest and sleep.
I can't get no sleep
I am still unable to fall asleep.
I need to sleep
I need to rest and fall asleep.
I can't get no sleep
I am still unable to sleep and feel restless.
I need to sleep
I am yearning for rest and sleep, but still cannot seem to attain it.
I can't get no sleep
I am continuously struggling with insomnia and cannot sleep.
Contributed by Alaina G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.