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.
Say Something
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, alright
Ooh (yeah)
Everyone knows all about my direction
And in my heart somewhere, I wanna go there
Still, I don′t go there
Say something, then say something
Say something, then say something
I don't wanna get
Caught up in the rhythm of it
But I can′t help myself
No, I can't help myself, no, no
Caught up in the middle of it
No, I can't help myself
No, I can′t help myself, no, no, no
Caught up in the rhythm of it
Maybe I′m looking for something I can't have
Maybe I′m looking for something I can't have
Everyone knows all about my transgressions
Still in my heart somewhere
There′s melody and harmony
For you and me tonight (whoa)
I hear them call my name
Everybody says, say something, then say something
Say something, then say something
Say something, then say something
I don't want to get
Caught up in the rhythm of it
But I can′t get help myself
No, I can't help myself, no, no
Caught up in the middle of it
No, I can't help myself
No, I can′t help myself, no, no, no
Caught up in the rhythm of it
Maybe I′m looking for something I can't have
Maybe I′m looking for something I can't have
Maybe I′m looking for something I can't have
Maybe I′m looking for something I can't have
Sometimes the greatest way to say something
Is to say nothing at all
Sometimes the greatest way to say something
Is to say nothing at all
Sometimes the greatest way to say something
Is to say nothing
But I can't help myself
No, I can′t help myself, no, no
Caught up in the middle of it
No, I can′t help myself
No, I can't help myself, no, no, no
Caught up in the rhythm of it
Maybe I′m looking for something I can't have
Maybe I′m looking for something I can't have
Maybe I′m looking for something I can't have
Maybe I'm looking for something I can′t have
Sometimes the greatest way to say something
Is to say nothing at all
Sometimes the greatest way to say something
Is to say nothing at all
Sometimes the greatest way to say something
Is to say nothing
The lyrics of "Say Something" express a deep, inner desire to find or achieve something that seems out of reach. The opening lines set the scene for the song and reveal a sense of frustration with the current direction in life. Despite the longing to move forward, the artist is struggling to take action and make things happen. The repeated phrase "everyone says, say something, then say something" suggests pressure from those around them to speak up and take control.
The chorus focuses on the idea of being caught up in something, unable to break free. The phrase "caught up in the rhythm of it" implies a sense of being controlled by external forces, whether that be other people's expectations or the pressure of society. The line "maybe I'm looking for something I can't have" is a poignant moment where the artist acknowledges the potential futility of their search for fulfillment.
The closing lines, "sometimes the greatest way to say something is to say nothing at all," add a layer of nuance to the song. While there may be pressure to speak up and assert oneself, the artist recognizes that sometimes silence can be more powerful than words.
Overall, "Say Something" is a reflective and introspective song that speaks to the universal experience of feeling lost, stuck, or uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone knows all about my direction
My life is an open book and people think they know where I'm going.
And in my heart somewhere, I wanna go there
Deep down, I have a desire to follow my true passion.
Still, I don't go there
But despite that desire, I don't take the necessary steps to pursue it.
Everybody says, say something, then say something
Everyone is telling me to speak up and take action.
I don't wanna get caught up in the rhythm of it
I don't want to blindly follow the expectations of others and lose my own sense of direction.
But I can't help myself
However, it's difficult to resist the pressure from others and I continue to be swayed by them.
Caught up in the middle of it
I feel stuck and lost in the midst of it all.
Maybe I'm looking for something I can't have
Perhaps I'm searching for something that is unattainable or unrealistic.
Everyone knows all about my transgressions
People are aware of my past mistakes and shortcomings.
Still in my heart somewhere, there's melody and harmony
Despite my flaws, there is beauty and potential within me.
For you and me tonight (whoa)
This potential can be realized in a collaborative effort with someone else.
Sometimes the greatest way to say something is to say nothing at all
Sometimes it's best to keep quiet and listen to your inner voice instead of being swayed by others.
Writer(s): Writers Unknown, Aubrey Graham
Contributed by Daniel N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.