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 Prรถfrock, 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.
Teenage Dirtbag
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have a dream about her
She rings my bell
I got gym class in half an hour
Oh, how she rocks
In Keds and tube socks
But she doesn't know who I am
And she doesn't give a damn about me
'Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby
Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby
Listen to Iron Maiden maybe with me
Her boyfriend's a dick
And he brings a gun to school
And he'd simply kick
My ass if he knew the truth
He lives on my block
And he drives an IROC
But he doesn't know who I am
And he doesn't give a damn about me
'Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby
Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby
Listen to Iron Maiden maybe with me
Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'
Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'
Man, I feel like mold
It's prom night and I am lonely
Lo and behold
She's walking over to me
This must be fake
My lip starts to shake
How does she know who I am?
And why does she give a damn about me
I've got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby
Come with me Friday, don't say "maybe"
I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you
Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'
Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'
The song "Teenage Dirtbag" by Various Artists, is about a teenage boy who is in love with a girl named Noelle. He dreams of her and thinks she's amazing, despite her not knowing who he is and not caring about him. The singer is just a regular teenage boy with low self-esteem who doesn't have anything remarkable about him that Noelle would notice. The singer also makes a reference to Iron Maiden, a heavy metal band from the UK. The song speaks to the idea of not fitting in with the popular crowd or the "in-crowd" and having interests that are not trendy or of the norm. The chorus of the song captures this feeling perfectly: "I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby. Listen to Iron Maiden maybe with me."
The boy is aware of Noelle's boyfriend who seems to be more like a bully than a boyfriend, and who is aggressive and violent. He is scared of him, and he knows that he can do nothing about his attraction to Noelle. Towards the end of the song, the boy's night gets better as Noelle approaches him and accepts him for who he is. She is interested in him and wants to know him better, and this makes the boy happy. The song has a happy ending as the boy gets to spend time with Noelle and take her out to see Iron Maiden.
Overall, the song seems to be about teenage insecurity and the quest for acceptance. It portrays how high school can be a difficult and challenging time for teenagers, especially when trying to fit in with the popular crowd. However, the song also highlights the importance of embracing one's identity and interests while still trying to find connections with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Her name is Noelle
Introduces the subject of the song, a girl named Noelle.
I have a dream about her
The singer has a crush on Noelle and dreams about her.
She rings my bell
Noelle has caught the singer's attention and made him excited.
I got gym class in half an hour
The singer has other things to do soon, but is still thinking about Noelle.
Oh, how she rocks
The singer admires Noelle's style and personality.
In Keds and tube socks
Describes Noelle's outfit, showing the singer's attention to detail.
But she doesn't know who I am
Noelle is unaware of the singer's feelings for her.
And she doesn't give a damn about me
Noelle does not care about the singer's existence.
'Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby
The singer feels like a loser, unworthy of Noelle's attention.
Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby
Re-emphasizes the singer's low self-esteem.
Listen to Iron Maiden maybe with me
The singer tries to connect with Noelle by suggesting they listen to a band, showing his insecurity about impressing her.
Her boyfriend's a dick
Noelle is taken and her boyfriend is unpleasant.
And he brings a gun to school
Noelle's boyfriend is dangerous and carries a weapon to school.
And he'd simply kick
The boyfriend is violent and would easily hurt the singer.
My ass if he knew the truth
The boyfriend would retaliate if he knew the singer's feelings for Noelle.
He lives on my block
The boyfriend is a neighbor, making things worse for the singer.
And he drives an IROC
Describes the boyfriend's car, signifying his superior social status.
'Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby
Repeats the singer's insecurity and low self-esteem.
Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby
Re-emphasizes the singer's negative self-image.
Listen to Iron Maiden maybe with me
Repeats the insecure attempt to impress Noelle with a band suggestion.
Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'
Repeats that Noelle is unaware of the singer's feelings and is missing out on a possible connection.
Man, I feel like mold
The singer feels disgusting and worthless.
It's prom night and I am lonely
The singer is alone on prom night, a significant social event.
Lo and behold
The situation changes suddenly and unexpectedly.
She's walking over to me
Noelle approaches the singer.
This must be fake
The singer can't believe what's happening.
My lip starts to shake
Showing the singer's physical reaction to the encounter.
How does she know who I am?
The singer wonders how Noelle is aware of his existence.
And why does she give a damn about me
The singer is confused about why Noelle is showing him attention, adding to his self-doubt.
I've got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby
The singer has gained confidence and is offering Noelle something.
Come with me Friday, don't say "maybe"
The singer is making plans with Noelle and requesting her to commit.
I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you
The singer reveals that he and Noelle are similar and shares his self-identity as a teenager with low social status.
Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'
Repeats the idea that Noelle is unaware of the connection they could have.
Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'
Repeats the idea again, showing how the artist is still worried that Noelle doesn't know what they could have.
Contributed by Ian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hieronymus1432
When I was a kid, I didn't realize how crazy it was for a grown man to sing at this pitch. Banger song.
@G0ne_on_da_track_
When I first heard this song maybe 10 years ago, I thought it was a woman.
But for real , its crazy tho
@ChaniyahWisdom
Ikr ๐
@Wtfisthis48888
That was me with the Bee Gees
@Thatonekid537
Three days ago with three hundred likes is crazy
@TyykkIs
now we are just old :D
@calikickzt
College movies from the late 90โs and early 2000โs are eternal because of songs like these
@topogigio7031
Scotty Doesn't Know is an unironic anthem
@qp5337
โ@@topogigio7031 let us never forget the day that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's website domain expired, and some absolute legend made it play Scotty Doesn't Know on a loop.
@Osamafrmlv
That is very true