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.
O Tannenbaum
Various Artists Lyrics
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O Tannenbaum,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter.
O Tannenbaum
O Tannenbaum,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter.
Du grünst nicht nur
Nur Sommerzeit,
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter.
Hey, Hitler, what's the matter, little guy?
Satan, du Tannenbaum wie treu sind deine Blätter.
Aw, you don't have a Christmas tree?
The song "O Tannenbaum" is a traditional German Christmas carol that has been translated into numerous languages and has become a popular holiday tune throughout the world. The lyrics of the song are dedicated to a fir tree, which is considered a symbol of longevity and fidelity in the German folklore. The song pays tribute to the evergreen fir tree, highlighting its green leaves that remain faithful not only in the summer but also in the winter, even when it snows.
The first verse of "O Tannenbaum" starts with "O Tannenbaum, Wie treu sind deine Blätter," which translates to "Oh Christmas Tree, how loyal are your leaves." The second verse emphasizes that the tree remains green not just in the summertime but also during the winter, when it is covered by snow. The song celebrates the beauty and endurance of the Christmas tree and the symbolism that it represents.
"O Tannenbaum" was first written as a folk song by an unknown composer in the 16th century in Germany. The song gained popularity in the 19th century when a few composers started using it in their works, with new arrangements and variations. In 1824, the melody was arranged by Ernst Anschütz to the traditional folk song "Es lebe hoch der Zimmermannsgeselle," which later became the modern version of "O Tannenbaum." Interestingly, the song is not only a Christmas carol but also an unofficial anthem of Thuringia, a state in central Germany.
Writer(s): DP, JAMES MERRILL BRICKMAN
Contributed by Samantha D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.