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.
Me Myself and I
Various Artists Lyrics
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With words that always meant more then updates on the phone
The signals fading fast and the ink is running out
The words look good in pen, but sound better from my mouth
[Chorus:]
Please hold me tightly, I don't care if I can breathe tonight
Forget these lungs their jealousy your burning up,
Forget these lungs their jealousy your burning up,
But I can't leave this all behind
Behind your back talking like knives
And I can hardly breathe
Sharpen your tongue the rest of your life
And I can not believe anything that you say
[Chorus:]
Please hold me tightly, I don't care if I can breathe tonight
Forget these lungs their jealousy your burning up,
But I can't leave this all behind
Forget these lungs their jealousy your burning up,
But I can't leave this all behind
So your the fire and I'm the water
I am the balance and you are the color
I wont forget you when we're not together
This is the ending, it's my surrender
(So your the fire and I'm the water
I am the balance and you are the color
I wont forget you when we're not together
This is the ending, it's my surrender)
[Chorus:]
Please hold me tightly, I don't care if I can breathe tonight
Forget these lungs their jealousy your burning up,
But I can't leave this all behind
Forget these lungs their jealousy your burning up,
But I can't leave
These lyrics explore themes of distance, longing, and heartbreak. The singer struggles with communication and articulating their emotions to their loved one while on the road. There is a sense of desperation in the chorus, pleading for physical affection and disregarding the consequences of being unable to breathe. The use of the metaphorical image of the lover being a fire and the singer being water shows the contrasting nature of their personalities and possibly the cause of their troubled relationship. The final line emphasizes the singer's realization that they must surrender and let go of their relationship.
In a rock song interpretation, the lyrics could be matched with heavy guitar riffs and an angsty vocal performance. The chorus could be the main hook of the song, with the music rising and falling to mimic the singer's desperate plea for affection. In contrast, a more acoustic or folk interpretation could use a softer melody and emphasize the metaphor of the lover being a fire and the singer being water with gentle plucking or strumming. This version could focus on the sense of surrender and letting go that is present in the lyrics.
In a pop song interpretation, the lyrics could be paired with a catchy beat and sung in a more upbeat way. The chorus could get a danceable treatment, with a driving bassline and a memorable hook. The verses could use electronic elements to emphasize the theme of long-distance communication, such as a static sound effect during the line "The signals fading fast."
Line by Line Meaning
I guess I could've sent a letter from the road
I realize now I should have taken a more personal approach to communication, rather than relying on technology.
With words that always meant more then updates on the phone
The words I would have shared in a letter hold more meaning and depth than a quick update over the phone.
The signals fading fast and the ink is running out
The technology I'm using to communicate is failing me, and I can feel the disconnection growing stronger.
The words look good in pen, but sound better from my mouth
While the words I write down are meaningful, they would be better spoken in person.
Please hold me tightly, I don't care if I can breathe tonight
I need comfort and reassurance so badly that I am willing to sacrifice my own ability to breathe in that moment.
Forget these lungs their jealousy your burning up,
My jealousy is consuming me, but I am willing to overlook it in order to be close to you.
But I can't leave this all behind
Despite the difficulties and challenges, I am unable to walk away from this situation entirely.
Behind your back talking like knives
When you speak unkindly about me behind my back, it hurts me deeply like a knife wound.
And I can hardly breathe
The emotional pain you cause is making it difficult for me to function normally.
Sharpen your tongue the rest of your life
I fear that your tendency to speak cruelly will continue for the remainder of your life.
And I can not believe anything that you say
The hurtful things you have said and done make it hard for me to trust anything you tell me.
So your the fire and I'm the water
We are fundamentally different; you are passionate and intense, while I am calm and soothing.
I am the balance and you are the color
Together, we complete each other and bring out the best in one another.
I wont forget you when we're not together
Even when we're apart, I will hold onto the memories and feelings that we shared together.
This is the ending, it's my surrender
The relationship may be ending, and I am accepting that it's time to let go.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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