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.
What About Us
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O-5, pounds in the Laredo, they gotta get there today though
Ain′t no time for tryna lay low, bay bro,
If you can't do it all you gotta do is say no
I′ll take it from there,
Asians on gram ready to work it, displayed a smirk like Mr. Perfect
Under the bridge, behind the van, in the cab, I made the drop off
Thanks Einstein that nothing popped off, since I was young,
My father wore the ring when he pushed me in the swing
Plus he pushed that bad thing, I wanted to be like him so bad
Wear the same shoes that he stepped in, of course I need paper
I want to ride the one-seater like speed racer
In the Jetta smoking a one sheet in the green acres
Listening to bullshit music, thinking how I'm gonna do this
Uh, temptations real
Even though we feel we've been here before
Somebody help me
God have mercy
It′s like the world we live in was only designed for
Somebody wealthy
But what about the rest of us?
What about the rest of us?
Screaming, somebody help me
But what about the rest of us?
It′s like the world we live in was only designed for
Somebody wealthy
Turn the lights on
I'm from a place called the jungle where they live in this rough
It had me low for a while now I′m picking it up
Holding the spot straight sticking it ripping it up
I dropped 99 problems, switching not giving a fuck
So what you what you want? got your bitch nigga gripping the butt
I ran my dick, taking pics nigga flicking it up
My clique is a circle, fuck you want?
You'll end up dumped jumped party in a truck in New York
There′s no ducking me, the Bada$$ time, there's no fuckery
Won′t find a chick who got a diamond, or take a single buck from me
These hoes be loving me, I keep it so G
Respecting where I be nigga check your OG
My back flow will mirror your fat flows
Well here it go my, visage is lineal when I'm ripping the video
It's a lyrical miracle when I enter your stereo
The rarest breeds, sick like venereal diseases
Uh, temptations real
Even though we feel we′ve been here before
Somebody help me
God have mercy
It′s like the world we live in was only designed for
Somebody wealthy
But what about the rest of us?
What about the rest of us?
Screaming, somebody help me
But what about the rest of us?
It's like the world we live in was only designed for
Somebody wealthy
Turn the lights on
Dying for nothing
Killing to live, fighting for something
To bad we don′t know what it is
What you think all of this cash for?
Trying to put stamps on my passport
Man I'm just scheming on new homes
I already forgot about my last broad
Uh, temptations real
Even though we feel we′ve been here before
Somebody help me
God have mercy
It's like the world we live in was only designed for
Somebody wealthy
But what about the rest of us?
What about the rest of us?
Screaming, somebody help me
But what about the rest of us?
It′s like the world we live in was only designed for
Somebody wealthy
Turn the lights on
The song "What About Us" talks about the struggles and temptations of living in a world that only seems to cater to the wealthy. The first verse, rapped by Action Bronson, describes his experiences as a drug dealer, where he has to constantly be on the move and make quick decisions to avoid getting caught. He also talks about his desire for wealth and success, following in his father's footsteps.
The chorus, sung by Pink, echoes the sentiment of feeling left behind in a world that seems to have forgotten about the average person. She asks, "What about the rest of us?" and pleads for help, questioning whether this world was only ever meant for the wealthy. The second verse, rapped by Joey Bada$$, continues this theme of temptation and the idea of fighting for something without even knowing what it is.
Overall, the song tackles themes of social inequality and the struggle to make it in a world that seems to only care about money and power. Through the different perspectives of the rappers and Pink's emotive chorus, "What About Us" is a powerful call for change and a reminder that we need to care for and help those around us who may not have the same opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
O-5, pounds in the Laredo, they gotta get there today though
We have a tight deadline to transport a substantial amount of weight across the Laredo border.
Ain′t no time for tryna lay low, bay bro,
We cannot afford to be cautious or take it easy, partner.
If you can't do it all you gotta do is say no
If you're unable to handle the task, it's best to decline and step aside.
I′ll take it from there,
I'll take care of everything from this point on.
Asians on gram ready to work it, displayed a smirk like Mr. Perfect
Our Asian counterparts are eager to start working and they seemed confident, like Mr. Perfect.
Under the bridge, behind the van, in the cab, I made the drop off
I successfully completed the exchange in a discreet location.
Thanks Einstein that nothing popped off, since I was young,
I'm grateful that nothing went wrong during the exchange, especially since I've been doing this for a while.
Handled lots of foreign vehicles and things
I have experience working with a variety of foreign vehicles and items.
My father wore the ring when he pushed me in the swing
My father wore his wedding ring even when he played with me as a child.
Plus he pushed that bad thing, I wanted to be like him so bad
My father drove a nice car, and I was inspired to be like him.
Wear the same shoes that he stepped in, of course I need paper
I try to emulate my father, and I also need to make money to support myself.
I want to ride the one-seater like speed racer
I aspire to drive a fast car like Speed Racer's one-seater car.
In the Jetta smoking a one sheet in the green acres
I'm smoking a joint in a Volkswagen Jetta driving through the suburbs.
Listening to bullshit music, thinking how I'm gonna do this
I'm listening to unimportant music and contemplating how to carry out my next move.
Uh, temptations real
The urge to give in to temptation is strong.
Even though we feel we've been here before
Even though we've been in similar situations in the past.
Somebody help me
I'm in need of assistance.
God have mercy
I'm pleading for God's forgiveness and mercy.
It′s like the world we live in was only designed for
The world seems to be created specifically for
Somebody wealthy
those who are financially prosperous.
But what about the rest of us?
What about those who are not wealthy?
Screaming, somebody help me
I'm shouting for someone to come to my aid.
Turn the lights on
It's time to see things more clearly and illuminate the truth.
I'm from a place called the jungle where they live in this rough
I come from a rough neighborhood aptly called the jungle.
It had me low for a while now I′m picking it up
The tough neighborhood brought me down, but now I'm making progress and improving my situation.
Holding the spot straight sticking it ripping it up
I'm holding down my territory and fiercely protecting it.
I dropped 99 problems, switching not giving a fuck
I've let go of most of my concerns and now I'm not worrying or caring about things that don't matter.
So what you what you want? got your bitch nigga gripping the butt
What do you want? I have your girlfriend anxiously holding on to my belongings.
I ran my dick, taking pics nigga flicking it up
I showed off my genitalia and someone took pictures to document it.
My clique is a circle, fuck you want?
My group is tight-knit, what do you want from us?
You'll end up dumped jumped party in a truck in New York
If you mess with us, you might end up beaten and dumped in a truck in New York City.
There′s no ducking me, the Bada$$ time, there's no fuckery
You cannot avoid me, it's my time to shine and nothing can go wrong.
Won′t find a chick who got a diamond, or take a single buck from me
I won't give any woman a diamond ring or money.
These hoes be loving me, I keep it so G
These women like me because I keep it real and suitably tough.
Respecting where I be nigga check your OG
Respect where I come from - check with your own group's leader.
My back flow will mirror your fat flows
I will respond to your disrespectful comments with similar insults.
Well here it go my, visage is lineal when I'm ripping the video
Here comes my music video, and my vocal style is straightforward and hard-hitting.
It's a lyrical miracle when I enter your stereo
You'll experience something astounding and miraculous when you hear my music play from your speakers.
The rarest breeds, sick like venereal diseases
We are unique and exceptional, but also dangerous and infectious.
Dying for nothing
People are dying without purpose or reason.
Killing to live, fighting for something
People are killing to survive and fighting for a cause.
To bad we don′t know what it is
It's unfortunate that we are unclear on what the cause is.
What you think all of this cash for?
Why do you think we pursue so much money?
Trying to put stamps on my passport
I'm trying to travel to different destinations and have my passport stamped.
Man I'm just scheming on new homes
I'm planning and conniving to acquire new residences.
I already forgot about my last broad
I've moved on from my previous girlfriend and don't think about her anymore.
Writer(s): Jerkins Rodney Roy, Daniels Lashawn Ameen, Jerkins Freddie D, Pratt Kenisha La Carol, Payne Nora Shena
Contributed by Savannah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.