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.
Venice
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
King tipo Man Sting.
Sogno Palm Springs.
Salmo superstar, Alvin.
Qui parlano spagnolo, dicono "cabrón".
Guardo random dagli occhi di Marlon Brando.
Oh, ho lasciato il cuore in una Cadillac, capita.
Sparo a raffica, semi-automatica.
Vedo le stelle anche se il cielo è blu, fga astronomica.
Rossa ginger, porta a spasso un pincher, beve una Pilsner, culo tipo "Insert".
Yeah!
California dream man.
Con il rap non ci fate un soldo siete freak-lance.
Fate un weekend con il morto, "Yes we can".
Bernie Lomax, guardacaso ho la camicia buona.
Eh ho, eh ho, eh ho come DMX.
Giro lo snapback, giro su una BMX.
Fumo un lingotto, vado fin sotto, fiori di loto, chiama Green Doctor.
Dimmi te che spacca, siamo leali.
Rimo a delinquere, metti i legali.
Per il rap tu: lezioni serali.
Faccio come Red Bull: ti metto le ali!
Schermo maxi, brah.
Facciamo chilling.
Ho chiamato un taxi giallo come Willy.
Giro teste, wimming.
Muovi i culi, spinning.
Tutti a Silly perché questa merda vale a milli.
Esplode Venice Beach su cannon.
Affonda in questa merda chiama Mitch Buchannon.
Scappo da un Paese di serpi e arpie.
Autoscatti, selfie, e faccio surf sulle basi mie.
Self Made
La vita è una bella fga sui roller blade.
Rolla questa haze
chiama il May-Day.
Faccio a fette il beat, sensei, scritto su una lama di machete "Miracle Blade".
(Ah)
Voglio morire qui a Venice Beach
Venice Beach
Venice Beach.
Voglio morire qui a Venice Beach
Venice Beach
Venice Beach.
Non voglio più tornare a casa mia, mai più!
Hai visto il cielo lungo questa via, fai tu!
Voglio morire qui a Venice Beach, Venice Beach
Venice Beach
Venice Beach.
Yeah, Lebon al mike.
L.A.
Mi vida loca.
Yeah!
Venice Beach
Brah!
"Venice" by Various Artists is a vibrant song that explores the experiences of the artists as they navigate through California. In the first verse, the artists mention various locations such as Squali, palme, Maui and Palm Springs, which serves as a reflection of their journey through the Golden State. The lyrics reference various things including rap music, fast cars, and even the popular video game, GTA.
The second verse, on the other hand, features rap verses that touch on various themes such as rising above legal troubles, taking risks, and living the "California dream." The chorus repeats the phrase "Venice Beach" several times, which further emphasizes the artists' desire to remain in California, particularly near the coastal town of Venice Beach. The lyrics also feature a mix of English and Italian phrases, which adds to the eclectic and international vibe of the song.
Overall, "Venice" speaks to the unique and exciting experiences of those living and thriving in California, and the desire to stay in this vibrant state. The song is a celebration of the musicians' journeys and showcases the lyrical and musical abilities of Various Artists as they share their tales through this upbeat and catchy track.
Line by Line Meaning
Squali, palme, Maui.
Referencing the beaches in Maui, Hawaii that are home to sharks and palm trees.
King tipo Man Sting.
Feeling like royalty or a king, similar to how famous musician Sting may feel.
Sogno Palm Springs.
Dreaming of the luxurious and picturesque Palm Springs.
Salmo superstar, Alvin.
Referencing the famous Italian rapper Salmo and cartoon character Alvin the chipmunk.
Qui parlano spagnolo, dicono "cabrón".
Hearing and understanding Spanish speakers who may use the word "cabrón".
Guardo random dagli occhi di Marlon Brando.
Looking around aimlessly, like how Marlon Brando's character in "The Godfather" would do.
Oh, ho lasciato il cuore in una Cadillac, capita.
Feeling affection or attachment for a Cadillac car.
Sparo a raffica, semi-automatica.
Referencing gun violence and the ability to shoot rapidly with a semi-automatic gun.
GTA, Santa Monica.
Referencing the popular video game series "Grand Theft Auto" and the city of Santa Monica in California.
Vedo le stelle anche se il cielo è blu, fga astronomica.
Seeing stars in the daytime, as if there were an astronomical event happening.
Rossa ginger, porta a spasso un pincher, beve una Pilsner, culo tipo "Insert".
Describing a woman who is redhead, walks a small dog breed, drinks beer brand Pilsner, and has a shapely figure.
Yeah!
An enthusiastic exclamation showing excitement or agreement.
California dream man.
Describing a man who is living the dream in California.
Con il rap non ci fate un soldo siete freak-lance.
Criticizing the idea that making money from rap music is difficult and that most rappers are freelance.
Fate un weekend con il morto, "Yes we can".
Suggesting to spend a weekend with dead people, a reference to the movie "Weekend at Bernie's" and quoting Barack Obama's famous campaign slogan.
Bernie Lomax, guardacaso ho la camicia buona.
Referencing the movie "Weekend at Bernie's" again, mentioning the character's name and being lucky to have a good shirt.
Eh ho, eh ho, eh ho come DMX.
Repeating the phrase "eh ho" like how rapper DMX would do in his songs.
Giro lo snapback, giro su una BMX.
Spinning a snapback hat and a BMX bike.
Fumo un lingotto, vado fin sotto, fiori di loto, chiama Green Doctor.
Smoking a large amount of marijuana, reaching a deep state, and referring to a drug dealer as the "Green Doctor".
Dimmi te che spacca, siamo leali.
Asking for confirmation that something is cool or amazing, and expressing loyalty to friends.
Rimo a delinquere, metti i legali.
Rhyming about criminal activities and putting the lawyers in the conversation.
Per il rap tu: lezioni serali.
Suggesting that one can learn how to rap by taking evening classes.
Faccio come Red Bull: ti metto le ali!
Comparing oneself to Red Bull energy drink by giving someone wings, or making them feel energized.
Schermo maxi, brah.
Referring to a large, flat-screen TV and addressing someone using the slang term "brah".
Facciamo chilling.
Relaxing and hanging out with friends.
Ho chiamato un taxi giallo come Willy.
Calling a yellow taxi, like how the character Willy in the movie "Taxi" would do.
Giro teste, wimming.
Turning heads and swimming.
Muovi i culi, spinning.
Dancing and spinning.
Tutti a Silly perché questa merda vale a milli.
Everyone acting silly and having fun because this music is worth millions.
Esplode Venice Beach su cannon.
Exploding with excitement at Venice Beach.
Affonda in questa merda chiama Mitch Buchannon.
Sinking into the fun of the situation, like how the character Mitch Buchannon from "Baywatch" may do.
Scappo da un Paese di serpi e arpie.
Escaping from a place full of deceitful people.
Autoscatti, selfie, e faccio surf sulle basi mie.
Taking self-portraits and selfies, and surfing on one's own beats or music.
Self Made
Being successful and self-made without relying on others.
La vita è una bella fga sui roller blade.
Life is a beautiful ride on roller blades.
Rolla questa haze
chiama il May-Day.
Rolling a joint with high quality marijuana and calling for help in case of emergency.
Faccio a fette il beat, sensei, scritto su una lama di machete "Miracle Blade".
Chopping up the beat like a martial arts expert, with the lyrics being sharp like a machete's blade.
(Ah)
Voglio morire qui a Venice Beach
Venice Beach
Venice Beach.
Expressing a desire to die in peace at Venice Beach.
Non voglio più tornare a casa mia, mai più!
Not wanting to return home ever again.
Hai visto il cielo lungo questa via, fai tu!
Encouraging someone to look up and appreciate the sky along the road.
Yeah, Lebon al mike.
Shouting out the rapper Lebon who is currently holding the microphone.
L.A.
Referring to Los Angeles, California.
Mi vida loca.
Experiencing the crazy life.
Yeah!
Another enthusiastic exclamation, showing excitement or agreement.
Venice Beach
Brah!
Ending the song with a shoutout to Venice Beach and the slang term "brah".
Writer(s): Nicholas Zammuto, Paul de Jong
Contributed by Brayden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ShitEaters
@@matthewramey5677
It is released on Suicidal Records a label, formed and operated by Suicidal Tendencies, Mike Muir was in Los Cycos and No Mercy (Mike Muir joined the band after the departure of original singer Kevin Guercio) apart from Suicidal Tendencies.
But both Beowülf and Excel members have a connection to Suicidal.
Raymond J. Herrera played in both Beowülf and Suicidal Tendencies, and currently plays in Luicidal, which features former Suicidal Tendencies bandmate Louiche Mayorga.
Adam Siegel of Excel joined Mike Muir's Infectious Grooves after Excel's second album "The Joke's On You".
Also, speaking of No Mercy, guitarist Mike Clark was a member of Suicidal Tendencies from 1988 to 2013. Bassist Ric Clayton designed the original Suicidal Tendencies logo and many of the T-shirts featured on the cover of Suicidal's first LP and briefly played bass with the band in 1987. Drummer Sal Troy was also a member of Mike Muir's mid 1980's side project Los Cycos.
Some time later Muir and Clark resurrected No Mercy, now calling the band No Mercy Fool! It features Muir, Clark, and various other members of Suicidal Tendencies. The group has appeared on several Suicidal Tendencies-related compilations recording both new material and re-worked versions of old songs.
I probably I've probably left a lot out, but I hope I've helped you!
Thanks for commenting.
-Joel
@Druffmaul
In 1995 I'd been working at this place for about a year, and one day we had a new hire named Mike Jensen. He was one trippy and hilarious dude. We got to talking music and he said, "I used to be in a band." "Yeah, who?" "Ah, you've never heard of us." "Maybe I have, just tell me who." "Beowulf." "Beowulf?! Fuck man, I know Beowulf!" "Yeah, right. Sure you do." The next day I brought in my copy of this LP. 10 years old and beat to shit, not worth anything, but still. He laughed his ass off and showed me which dude on the cover was him. I never really got into Beowulf, didn't think much of their songs on this, bought their first album anyway and then sold it not much later, never bothered checking anything out after that... but Mike was one cool cat. We started hanging out, he was just getting Creeper going, I used to chill at their rehearsals. Hung out with him for a couple years then we lost touch. Heard he passed away earlier this year. RIP Milkbone
@Dr.Thirteen
I still love Beowulf there still going but Mike is no longer with us. I think Dale is only going to quit when he passes .. lol BWF
@skinheadyouth66
Beowulf's the best band on this and up there w ST
@shoyuegg3760
Old guy here...I still have this on vinyl...copped from Streets of Venice back in 85-86(?).
@mikeesparza732
Yep me to i remember that shit .
@duanescot
Ordered this cassette tape out of Thrasher in the mid 80's, the entire comp is near perfect, thanks for posting this..
@rg5934
Brings back a lot of memories!!! My brother bought this album when we were young teens,R.I.P. Frank love you miss you!!!
@theaztecsun
Man I was in 10th grade Venice High and you know I was right in the middle of the slam pits this takes me back. Venice High was Blur but these back yard parties will live in my memories for life!! We use to roll fucking DEEP AS FUCK TO THE SHOWS!!
@natty6324
Gondoliers
@E4drht
Class of 91. Mostly partying, ditching and hanging at taco bell or Fosters freeze…. Or the Venice canals when they were shitty. 😂