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 You Want
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me what you want
Just tell me what you want
Tell me what you want
Tell me what you want
Tell me what you want
Tell me what you want for me
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Now Mase be the man wanna see you doing good
I don't wanna get rich, leave you in the hood
Girl, in my eyes you the baddest
The reason why I love you, you don't like me 'cause my status
I don't wanna see you with a carriage living average
I wanna do my thing so we be established
And I don't want you rock in them fabrics
Girl, I will give you karats till you feel you a rabbit
Anything in your path, you want you can have
Walk through the mall, if you like it you can grab
Total it all up and put it on my tab
And then tell your friends all the fun you had
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Hey Mama, won't you come here to Papa?
You don't like the way your tata's lookin' at Shada?
In a 600 ain't no smokin' cigada
Come over here, I think I see your baby faddah
Here ya go the number to my casa
If you in a rush you call me manana
Whatever you need girlfriend, I got the whole enchilada
Just the way you like it, Mase gonna do you propa
Girl, I can tell you was meant for me
I can tell by the way you was sent to me
While I'm on tour trying to make them centuries
And they ask who your man, you better mention me
If you don't you know you got a problem
Said you want no beef girlfriend don't start none
And it just so happens that I'm seeing cash
'Cause you messed up a lot just trying to be fast
And I ain't gonna ask who smashed the E-Class
Pull up to the crib with the whole front crashed
Now you wanna laugh, good thing that's the past
If you ever lie again, girl, that will be your last
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Now the more you treat me royal I adore you
That's why I don't mind doing these things for you
You did things for me I wouldn't believe you did
That's why I always want to keep you here
In a year or two, girl, I could see you with my kids
Girl, you make a thug want to get a legal gig
It's only right we spend our lonely nights
Gettin' crazy biz till we awake the kids
Don't get too loud, got respect for you honey
To keep it all real, you come second to my money
And can you be my ghetto love prophecy?
Everybody love you girl, not just me
And I know that you really care a lot for me
Wanna to see you happy even if it's not with me
Even if it's not with me
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
Tell me what you want for me
Take a look at what you see
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
The lyrics of Various Artists' song "What You Want" revolve around the idea of love and materialism. The song starts with the singer asking the listener to tell them what they want. Then they ask whether what they have to offer is something the listener can have for years, whether it would make them happy in the long run. The rapper Mase joins in, expressing his desire to make his girlfriend happy by showering her with expensive gifts and a luxurious lifestyle.
Throughout the song, the message of compromise between material desires and true love is presented. The singer wants to provide what their partner wants and desires, but they also want them to stay true to their values and morals. The song touches on the idea that money can't buy happiness or love, and that true love is more important than material gains.
In addition to its lyrics, "What You Want" is known for its catchy hook and memorable beats. The song is a collaborative effort by various popular artists, including Total and Mase, and was included on the soundtrack of the popular movie "Soul Food". "What You Want" is also recognized as an influential song for its unique blend of R&B and hip-hop.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me what you want
The singer is asking the listener to share their desires and needs.
Just tell me what you want
The singer emphasizes the importance of the listener sharing their wants and needs.
Tell me what you want for me
The singer is asking the listener to share what they want for the singer specifically.
Take a look at what you see
The artist is encouraging the listener to evaluate the situation and what they can provide.
Let me know if this right here
Is something you can have for years
The artist is asking if the listener's desires are in line with what the artist can provide long-term.
Now Mase be the man wanna see you doing good
The singer is expressing their desire to see the listener thrive.
I don't wanna get rich, leave you in the hood
The singer doesn't want their success to negatively impact the listener's life.
Girl, in my eyes you the baddest
The artist is expressing their attraction to the listener.
The reason why I love you, you don't like me 'cause my status
The artist is acknowledging that their wealth and status has negatively impacted the listener's perception of them.
I don't wanna see you with a carriage living average
The artist wants to provide a luxurious life for the listener.
I wanna do my thing so we be established
The singer wants to establish a successful and stable life with the listener.
And I don't want you rock in them fabrics
The artist doesn't want the listener wearing average clothing.
Girl, I will give you karats till you feel you a rabbit
The singer wants to give the listener expensive jewelry.
Anything in your path, you want you can have
The singer is willing to provide anything that the listener desires.
Walk through the mall, if you like it you can grab
The singer is willing to buy the listener anything they want while shopping.
Total it all up and put it on my tab
The artist is offering to pay for all of the listener's desires.
And then tell your friends all the fun you had
The artist wants the listener to share their positive experiences with others.
Hey Mama, won't you come here to Papa?
The singer is using terms of endearment to address the listener.
You don't like the way your tata's lookin' at Shada?
The singer is asking if the listener is bothered by someone else's actions.
In a 600 ain't no smokin' cigada
The artist is mentioning the type of car they have and that smoking is not allowed in it.
Come over here, I think I see your baby faddah
The artist is offering to help the listener identify their child's father.
Here ya go the number to my casa
The artist is giving the listener their phone number and inviting them over.
If you in a rush you call me manana
The singer is indicating that they are available to help the listener anytime, even if it's tomorrow.
Whatever you need girlfriend, I got the whole enchilada
The artist is offering to provide everything the listener needs.
Just the way you like it, Mase gonna do you propa
The singer is promising to do things the way the listener wants.
Girl, I can tell you was meant for me
The singer believes that the listener is meant to be with them.
I can tell by the way you was sent to me
The singer believes that the listener was brought into their life for a reason.
In a year or two, girl, I could see you with my kids
The artist is expressing the possibility of starting a family with the listener.
Girl, you make a thug want to get a legal gig
The artist is inspired to pursue legitimate work because of their feelings for the listener.
It's only right we spend our lonely nights
Gettin' crazy biz till we awake the kids
The singer wants to spend their time together intimately.
Don't get too loud, got respect for you honey
The singer is asking the listener to be considerate of their surroundings.
To keep it all real, you come second to my money
The artist values their financial success over their relationship with the listener.
And can you be my ghetto love prophecy?
The artist wants the listener to commit to a long-term relationship with them despite their tough circumstances.
Everybody love you girl, not just me
The artist acknowledges that others find the listener attractive.
And I know that you really care a lot for me
The singer believes that the listener cares for them deeply.
Wanna to see you happy even if it's not with me
The artist wants the listener to be happy, even if they aren't together.
Even if it's not with me
The singer reiterates that they want the listener to be happy regardless of their relationship status.
Contributed by Andrew D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Zephirite.
I heard once that an artist is never satisfied, because we’re comparing our creation to the overwhelming, awe-inspiring we see in our heads.
But other people are impressed because they don’t have that fantasy to compare it to. To them, it looks like we made something out of nothing.
And we did. We collected bits of the art and world that inspires us, and channeled into something that didn’t exist—because the idea of forgetting it was worse than not getting it right.
Remember; no one was born able to hold a pencil, or even what a pencil was. When you see someone good at drawing faces, or hands, or composing—all you know is that they’re good at that one thing.
As far as you know they could be less ‘happy’ than you, not have close friends. Because the time spent towards mastery didn’t come from nothing—every choice to stay inside and draw required taking that time from other hobbies and interests.
We are standing on a collection of the works of engineers who built our drawing tablets, papers that were pulped from trees, crushed pigments—processes that only exist because someone had an idea and cared less about it being prefect than about what they could do if it existed.
All ideas change the world, just slightly.
Your ideas could end up inspiring others, make them smile—or at least, let you rest a bit easier knowing one piece of yourself will survive, no matter what.
We’re all just so obsessed with giving credit to ONE that we forget you can translate the genealogy of every ‘genius’ to a dozen of their mentors, family, culture, and coworkers.
The only way to guarantee you don’t improve is to never try.
@JayArr96
This hit me like a truck. I couldn't help but swell into tears for a second. I've been working on a story since I was 18. Next year, it'll have been a decade. Yet, I've only just decided it's not good enough. It's not even the kind of story I want to make. It lacks the depth I require to feel moved at this stage of my life.
I'll be honest, I suppose I'm only an "artist" in ambition. My biggest "works" are a couple shitty drawings of some anime characters I like. People claim they're good, but I can never accept it. It feels more like they're patronizing me than complementing my art. Like it ISN'T good, but they pity me actually being bad at the thing I want to do with my life.
I want to create Manga. Originally I wanted to make a Shonen, but as I've grown, as I've jumped headfirst into the field of philosophy, I've decided Shonen isn't good enough. Berserk, Vinland, Vagabond, even S4 of AoT is Seinen, in my opinion. They attack mature themes. Themes of hopelessness, depression, failure, aimlessness, dissociation and detachment. All things I know intimately. I struggle with mental health, which makes me struggle in life, which makes me feel so inadequate to do any art, that it disgusts me just to look at a dumbass sketch I made.
I've frequently been told I'm too hard on myself, but sometimes I feel like I'm not hard enough. Like I need to push harder and go further. To hear words that not only encourage me that I'm not alone in feeling this way, they tell me that I might be onto something. That I might genuinely be making magic. I just want to make something that moves people and provokes thought, same as art has moved me. Fictional characters have taught me more about how to be a good human than any actual human ever has. I just hope that one day, I can touch a few hearts the same.
You've done that with this video. Thank you.
@DSLRguide
I made a new video about the shame & snobbery that surrounds making art: https://youtu.be/7MaMOGZw-0c
@henrykb.7808
Gonna watch this right after it.
Your video really inspired me.
Thank you so much for this!
@drgus8042
dont care
@henrykb.7808
@dr gus
You cared enough to leave a comment
@drgus8042
@Henryk B. didnt ask about your opinion
@henrykb.7808
@dr gus
Alright troll
@oikawaslusciouslashes8422
the problem with making art is that you know that art is a reflection of yourself. Art is the essence of who you are. So when you see your art, and decide it’s not good enough, it’s the same as knowing that YOU are not good enough.
@BlueSpadesArt
Perfectly said
@ruryumi
woah well spoken
@mutationa3944
But when you decide that your art isn’t good enough, then you’re the only one who decides. Can the artist judge themself and their art rightfully? When is something or someone not good enough? I think if you say to yourself; “my art isn’t good enough, and so am I”, you can better say “I think that I and my art isn’t good enough yet”