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.
Under The Boardwalk
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fire proof
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I′ll be
(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be havin′ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be falling in love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
In the park you hear the happy sound of a carousel
Mm-mm, you can almost taste the hot dogs and french fries they sell
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea
On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be
(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We′ll be havin′ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be falling in love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
Ooh, under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I′ll be
(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be havin′ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be falling in love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
The lyrics of "Under the Boardwalk" are a testament to the joys of young love in summertime. The first verse sets the scene: the sun is beating down on the urban environment, and the pavement is scorching hot. The only respite is to escape to the cool shade under the boardwalk, beside the sea. The singer dreams of spending time there with their significant other, lounging on a blanket and enjoying each other's company.
The chorus emphasizes the escape from the heat of the sun, but also the crowd above on the boardwalk. The lovers are hidden from view and free to indulge in each other's company. And even when the sun goes down, they can stay beneath the boardwalk and continue enjoying the night.
The second verse describes another scene: a park where a carousel plays happy music and the air is redolent with the smell of food. Once again, the sensual pleasures of summer are foregrounded. The couple are enjoying the moment together, away from the noise and crowds of the city. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the pleasures of love and escape.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof
When the heat of the sun is so intense that the tar on the rooftop gets hot and sticky
And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fire proof
When the heat makes your feet feel so hot that you wish they were protected by fire-resistant shoes
(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
Seeking refuge from the sun by going under the boardwalk
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be havin′ some fun
Having a great time while enjoying the cool shade under the boardwalk
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
Observing the people walking on the boardwalk above them
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be falling in love
Falling in love with each other while spending time together under the romantic atmosphere of the boardwalk
In the park you hear the happy sound of a carousel
Enveloped in the joyous sounds of a carousel in the nearby park
Mm-mm, you can almost taste the hot dogs and french fries they sell
Engaging your sense of taste by imagining the delicious aroma of the hot dogs and french fries being sold nearby
Ooh, under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
Expressing excitement to be under the boardwalk and by the sea
On a blanket with my baby is where I′ll be
Spending time with the person you love on a cozy blanket under the boardwalk
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
Repeating the phrase to emphasize the nostalgic memories and romantic experiences associated with this location
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.