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.
Night Shift
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he could sing a song
His heart in every line
Marvin sang of the joy and pain
He opened up our minds
And I still can hear him say
Aw talk to me so you can see
What's going on
Forevermore (evermore)
Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you're singing proud
Oh I bet you'll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It's gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you're not alone
On the nightshift
Jackie (Jackie), hey what'you doing now
It seems like yesterday
When we were working out
Jackie (Jackie, oh) you set
The world on fire
You came and gifted us
Your love it lifted us
Higher and higher
Keep it up and
We'll be there
At your side
Oh say you will sing
Your songs forevermore (evermore)
Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you're singing proud
Oh I bet you'll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It's gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you're not alone
On the nightshift
Gonna miss your sweet voice
That soulful voice
On the nightshift
We all remember you
Ooh the songs are coming through
At the end of a long day
It's gonna be okay
On the nightshift
You found another home
I know you're not alone
On the nightshift
"Night Shift" is a tribute song to the icons in the music industry who died too soon. The song was first released by the Commodores in 1985 and then covered by Various Artists in 2018. The lyrics speak to the memories and legacies left behind by Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, two Motown legends who changed the music scene with their talent. The song is a celebration of their lives and the impact they had on the world.
The song opens with a reference to Marvin Gaye, a friend of the songwriter, who "could sing a song" with his heart in every line. Marvin sang about "the joy and pain" and "opened up [their] minds" to new possibilities. The chorus sings about the sweet sounds that will come down on the night shift, symbolizing the legacy these artists left behind after they passed. The song then transitions to Jackie Wilson, who set "the world on fire" with his talent and "gifted" love that "lifted us higher and higher." The chorus repeats itself, celebrating the sweet sounds that will come down on the night shift now that these artists have found another home.
The song captures the profound loss of two incredibly talented artists and relives their moments under the spotlight. But it also celebrates their legacies and the sweet sounds that continue to influence the music industry today. It sends a message of hope through the long night, suggesting that the memories left behind by these artists offer solace to those they left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Marvin, he was a friend of mine
Marvin was someone the singer knew personally and had a relationship with
And he could sing a song
Marvin was talented at performing music
His heart in every line
Marvin's music contained emotion and personal meaning
Marvin sang of the joy and pain
Marvin's music covered a range of emotions and experiences
He opened up our minds
Marvin's music was provocative and thought-provoking
And I still can hear him say
The singer has vivid memories of Marvin and his music
Aw talk to me so you can see
What's going on
Marvin's music was meant to prompt reflection and understanding of the world around us
Say you will sing your songs
Forevermore (evermore)
The singer hopes that Marvin's music will continue to be remembered and celebrated
Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you're singing proud
Oh I bet you'll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It's gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you're not alone
On the nightshift
The singer imagines Marvin performing in the afterlife and finding a sense of belonging there
Jackie (Jackie), hey what'you doing now
It seems like yesterday
When we were working out
The singer reminisces about a past friendship with someone named Jackie
Jackie (Jackie, oh) you set
The world on fire
Jackie was an influential figure who made a significant impact on the world
You came and gifted us
Your love it lifted us
Higher and higher
Jackie's presence and contributions were impactful and inspiring
Keep it up and
We'll be there
At your side
The singer pledges to support and stand by Jackie
Gonna miss your sweet voice
That soulful voice
On the nightshift
We all remember you
Ooh the songs are coming through
At the end of a long day
It's gonna be okay
On the nightshift
You found another home
I know you're not alone
On the nightshift
The singer reflects on missing Jackie's presence and music, but finds comfort in the belief that they have found peace in the afterlife
Writer(s): John Alexander Mcgeoch, Steven Severin, Sioux, Budgie
Contributed by Juliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sound & Visions • A Film & Video Collection
Being the co-creator and producer of The Commodore's music video for "Nightshift", I just have to say how honored I am to see this version by my hero, and fellow New Jersey native (I'm from Paterson and saw you in Asbury Park numerous times). An obvious homage and tribute to both The Commodores and our music video, right down to the lightbulb microphone, the fade ups, certain cuts to the keyboard player and background vocalist. Gave me chills, Bruce. And to date, I have directed and produced a 160 plus music videos for major and indie artists, from Linkin Park and LL Cool J to Squeeze and The Black Crowes. But "Nightshift" was my very first and it skyrocketed to the top of MTV rotation for a year. And the story behind the video is not one I'm sure Bruce knows. In short, Motown was about to let band go post Lionel Ritchie's departure, but the band believed in their new album and this classic song. They were introduced to me by a mutual friend, and when I heard the track I was blown away. They had no money and literally had to dig into their own pockets to fund the video. Because it was my first, I agreed to produce it for less than $19,000, hence the simplicity of the concept and shoot. I brought in a TV commercial director who never did a music video before, but we made it work, even though the director referred to them several times during the shoot as The Temptations. None of us expected to be the iconic video it would become. We almost did a sequel version with The Commodores the year after Michael Jackson died, where the guys wrote an additional verse about Michael. They could never get the budget together so it never happened but they do it till this day in their live concerts. In conclusion, thank you again Bruce. Incredible video and rendition. And thanks for the visual tributes. Now if only someday, I could direct a music video for the boss himself. Congrats, sir. Cheers, Chip Miller (original "Nightshift" producer)
Nash Creek Industries
Thanks for sharing some history and flavor, Chip. It was an honor to read your comment.
Our Sound Music
What incredble info! Respect to you!
Gordan Redzic
This may be one of the best comments I have read on YouTube. Thank you for sharing some history of this amazing song 😊
Ana Hotko
This is so heartwarming! I'm so glad you got this recognition by your hero.
Meg C
Thank you for sharing!!
Honestly Yours
One of the best music videos that I have seen in a long time! Incredible song. Bruce, you still have an amazing voice. Loved the fact that you didn't have hordes of scantily-clad dancers in the video to dustract from the singing and the song. You let the power of your voice carry the song. Beautiful. Loved your performance!!
Eugenia Fusea
As the years pass and the night shift approaches, you are better. Keep it up, many more years. We need you ! You were born to enjoy millions of people from all over the planet! Respect!😘
elizabeth aun
Indeed!!! ❤
Adriano Barbosa
Um dos maiores cantores vivos,voz incrível. Saúde,Bruce!!!