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.
Lost In Music
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I'm from the illest part of the Western Hemisphere
So if you into sight seein don't visit there
It's somewhere between Jersey and Delaware
Philly never scared and them niggaz ain't timid there
Them young triggers lose lives by the minute there
It might start but the fight never finish there
They all fucked up tryin to get the gingerbread
Cops and robbers, cowboys and indians
Clips and revolvers and George's and Benjamin's
A celebration of the loss of your innocence
To you old self you've lost any resemblance
They say the city make a dark impression
The youth just lost and they want direction
But they don't get the police, they get the protection
And walk around with heat like Charlton Heston, man
[Chorus] [2x]
It's in the music, turn it up let it knock
Let it bang on the block 'til the neighbors call the cops
The cops gone come but they ain't gone do shit
They don't want no problems, what are y'all stupid
It's all in the music [6x]
[Malik B]
It's kinda ill how we grip these bitches in the Bonneville
It's kind of a thrill, my mind it will spill, my nine it will kill
Of course bro like crossbow, I bring the force though
Hittin your guts splittin your torso
It's colder than the North Pole livin unlawful
I'm giving you a jawful Of somethin awful
Yo my theoretic is leaded, Will come and set it
The shit bang and leave you diabetic for paramedics
I spit flames and get dames to get change
With pitbull bark and lock the shock
Don't bother me Och, don't you dare lie to me Och
I don't know, who's this nigga that you try to be Och
Benefit of doubt had me think you in it for clout
Big shit, send it for route and finish him out
Joints stiff from rigor mortis
While we swimmin in waters, women with daughters
Will have us niggaz sinnin with orders
[Chorus] [2x]
It's in the music, turn it up let it knock
Let it bang on the block 'til the neighbors call the cops
The cops gone come but they ain't gone do shit
They don't want no problems, what are y'all stupid
It's all in the music [6x]
In these lyrics, Black Thought and Malik B describe their experiences growing up in a rough neighborhood in Philly where violence and crime are prevalent. Black Thought makes it clear that tourists should avoid this area if they are only interested in sightseeing. He illustrates the reality of the place with lines like, "Them young triggers lose lives by the minute there," and "Cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians." He also emphasizes the desperation that leads to violence with the line, "A few stacks be the price for a nigga's head."
Malik B's verse further emphasizes the violence of the neighborhood, describing how he and his crew take pleasure in the ruthlessness of their actions. He describes the thrill he gets from carrying a gun and the power that comes with using it. He uses vivid imagery to show the raw brutality of his actions, "Hittin your guts splittin your torso." The language here is intense and graphic, displaying the harsh reality of life in this neighborhood.
As for the chorus, it emphasizes the power of music to distract from the violence and chaos of the streets. The music is an escape, a way of drowning out the pain and anger that surrounds them. The line "It's all in the music" captures the idea that the music is a reflection of the environment and, in some ways, exacerbates it. At the same time, however, it provides a way of coping with that very same environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I'm from the illest part of the Western Hemisphere
I come from a very dangerous place.
So if you into sight seein don't visit there
If you like to look at tourist attractions, don't come here.
It's somewhere between Jersey and Delaware
This area is located between New Jersey and Delaware.
Philly never scared and them niggaz ain't timid there
People from Philly are not afraid and they are very bold.
Them young triggers lose lives by the minute there
Young people are being killed every minute in this area.
It might start but the fight never finish there
There is always a conflict going on and it never ends.
They all fucked up tryin to get the gingerbread
Everyone is messed up trying to get money.
A few stacks be the price for a nigga's head
People will pay a lot of money to get someone killed.
Cops and robbers, cowboys and indians
There are issues of law and order, and conflicts between different groups of people.
Clips and revolvers and George's and Benjamin's
Gun violence and money are very prevalent in this area.
A celebration of the loss of your innocence
People in this area do not value innocence.
To you old self you've lost any resemblance
You lose your old self when you come to this area.
They say the city make a dark impression
There is a negative perception of the city.
The youth just lost and they want direction
Young people are lost and looking for guidance.
But they don't get the police, they get the protection
Police do not protect them, they protect themselves.
And walk around with heat like Charlton Heston, man
They carry guns for protection like in the movie.
It's kinda ill how we grip these bitches in the Bonneville
We have a lot of power when we drive our cars.
It's kind of a thrill, my mind it will spill, my nine it will kill
It's exciting and dangerous to use a gun.
Of course bro like crossbow, I bring the force though
I am very powerful, like a weapon.
Hittin your guts splittin your torso
I will shoot you in the gut and cut you in half.
It's colder than the North Pole livin unlawful
Living outside of the law is a very harsh environment.
I'm giving you a jawful Of somethin awful
I will hit you so hard that it will be painful.
Yo my theoretic is leaded, Will come and set it
I have a good strategy and I will use it.
The shit bang and leave you diabetic for paramedics
I will shoot you so hard that you will become diabetic and need help.
I spit flames and get dames to get change
I am very powerful and can get a lot of money and women.
With pitbull bark and lock the shock
I am fierce and scary like a pitbull.
Don't bother me Och, don't you dare lie to me Och
Do not mess with me or lie to me.
I don't know, who's this nigga that you try to be Och
I don't know who you are trying to imitate.
Benefit of doubt had me think you in it for clout
I thought you were doing this for fame.
Big shit, send it for route and finish him out
I will use my power and resources to take someone down.
Joints stiff from rigor mortis
The dead bodies are very stiff and cold.
While we swimmin in waters, women with daughters
We are doing bad things while innocent people are around.
Will have us niggaz sinnin with orders
We will continue to do bad things because we are commanded to.
It's in the music, turn it up let it knock
This lifestyle is celebrated and glorified in music.
Let it bang on the block 'til the neighbors call the cops
We will make this music very loud and disturb the community.
The cops gone come but they ain't gone do shit
Police will not be able to stop us.
They don't want no problems, what are y'all stupid
Police do not want to get involved with us because it's dangerous.
It's all in the music
This lifestyle is fueled and influenced by music.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind