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.
Johnny B. Goode
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
Go go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh, the engineerswould see him sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
People passing by they would stop and say
Oh my that little country boy could play
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
His mother told him "Someday you will be a man,
And you will be the leader of a big old band.
Many people coming from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight."
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go
"Johnny B. Goode" is a song filled with nostalgia and hope for the future. The lyrics paint a picture of a country boy named Johnny who lived in a log cabin in Louisiana and never learned to read or write properly, but instead, devoted himself to playing the guitar. It describes how he used to sit under a tree by the railroad track and play his guitar with rhythm to the sound of the passing train. People passing by used to stop and say how good he was, and his mother predicted that one day, his name would be in lights, and he would lead a big old band.
Chuck Berry was the first artist to record "Johnny B. Goode" and is credited with writing the song. His version of the song is a rockabilly classic, featuring his trademark guitar riff, fast tempo, and catchy lyrics. Berry was a pioneer of rock and roll music and is often known as the Father of Rock and Roll. His unique style and sound have influenced many artists who have covered the song over the years.
Other artists who have covered "Johnny B. Goode" include Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and AC/DC. Each artist has put their unique spin on the song, but the message remains the same- a tribute to a talented musician and a celebration of music's power to inspire and bring people together. The song has come to represent the spirit of rock and roll and remains a favorite among music fans of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down Louisiana close to New Orleans
Johnny B. Goode came from a place near New Orleans, Louisiana.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
In the midst of a forested area, Johnny lived in a log cabin surrounded by evergreen trees.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Johnny's house was built from the materials of the land, earth and wood.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Johnny B. Goode was the name of a boy who lived in that log cabin.
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Johnny B. Goode may not have had formal education because he struggled with reading and writing.
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
He was, however, a gifted musician who played the guitar with ease and talent.
Go go
A phrase used to encourage Johnny and the music he was playing.
Go Johnny go
The repeated phrase exemplifying that his music was something to celebrate and enjoy.
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny B. Goode carried his guitar in a rough, burlap sack as a common means of transporting his instrument.
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
He would find a spot under a tree close to railroad tracks to play music in peace.
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
The train engineers would notice him sitting under a tree, out of the sun, playing his guitar.
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
Johnny B. Goode would be inspired and play his guitar according to the rhythm of the passing trains.
People passing by they would stop and say
Travelers who observed him playing the guitar would pause and appreciate his music.
Oh my that little country boy could play
People were amazed by how talented this young boy from the country was.
His mother told him 'Someday you will be a man,
Johnny's mother predicted that he would grow up to be a man one day.
And you will be the leader of a big old band.
She had high hopes that her son's musical talent would lead him to become the leader of a band.
Many people coming from miles around
Johnny's mother imagined people would travel from afar just to hear him play.
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Johnny would be so in-demand that people would stick around until nightfall just to hear him play music.
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Johnny's mother's prediction was that he would become famous and his name would be in bright lights.
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight.'
When Johnny became famous, his name would be the headline of the show, all saying Johnny B. Goode.
Writer(s): Chuck Berry
Contributed by Avery J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.