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.
Whisper
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I must leave before my red eyes match the sunrise
No more coffee will put off today
I've stood too long
In the shadow of a doubt
I need some sun
It seems that time returns to me once more
And when I feel my world falling down
I think of you
I think of you
And when I feel I can breath no more
you speak to me
you speak to me
When the brightest star
Smiled as it squared shoulders with the night
You lit the glowing embers of my own light
Do you know
Your words could drag the moon down from the sky
Seduce my frozen heart with your war cry
You really made me listen for my voice
And I heard millions
And when I feel my world falling down
I think of you
I think of you
And when I feel I can breath no more
You speak to me
You speak to me
When you fell
I saw your visionary thoughts befriend your blood
Crimson lovers drowning in the same flood
I miss the beauty of your young black skin
I thought that freedom
Can only be defined as endless choice
And I only listened to the logic of the loudest voice
But this world
Will be shaken by a whisper
But this world
Will be shaken by a whisper
The lyrics of the song, Whisper, by Various Artists, explore the themes of departure, doubt, hope, and inspiration. The song starts with the singer contemplating leaving before the sunrise as the coffee won't be able to put off the day. The singer feels like they've lingered too long in the shadows of doubt and they need some sunshine to invigorate them. Time seems to be slipping away, and the singer realizes they have less of it now than before. However, when their world is breaking apart, they find solace in the thought of someone they hold dear.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about the beauty of the night and how that beauty was overshadowed only by the person they think of and how they lit the glowing embers of their own light. The person's words can even move the moon, seducing their frozen heart with their war cry. Their voice inspires millions to listen, and the singer feels grateful that they too have been heard because of that voice.
In the end, the lyricist recognizes that they were wrong to think that freedom can only be defined as endless choice, and that sometimes, the logic of the loudest voice doesn't always win. They finally realize that this world will be shaken by a whisper, signaling that sometimes, the softest, most subtle voice can make the biggest impact.
Overall, the song Whisper is a touching tribute to the power of inspiration and hope. Its message is clear that sometimes all it takes is just a whisper to make a significant impact on someone's life.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I should go now
It is time for me to leave.
I must leave before my red eyes match the sunrise
I need to leave before my eyes become red and the sun rises.
No more coffee will put off today
Drinking more coffee will not delay the inevitable.
I've stood too long
I have waited too long.
In the shadow of a doubt
Uncertainty has clouded my judgment.
I need some sun
I need some clarity and positivity.
It seems that time returns to me once more
It feels like time is passing by me again.
But I have less now than before
I have lost something valuable to me.
And when I feel my world falling down
When I feel overwhelmed.
I think of you
You bring me comfort and support.
And when I feel I can breath no more
When I am struggling to cope.
you speak to me
You provide encouragement and hope.
When the brightest star
During the most positive moment.
Smiled as it squared shoulders with the night
The star shone brightly amidst the darkness.
You lit the glowing embers of my own light
You rekindled my inner strength.
Do you know
Are you aware?
Your words could drag the moon down from the sky
Your words hold immense power.
Seduce my frozen heart with your war cry
You inspire and motivate me.
You really made me listen for my voice
You helped me find my inner voice.
And I heard millions
I realized the immense depth and volume of my own voice.
When you fell
When you were struggling.
I saw your visionary thoughts befriend your blood
Your thoughts and actions were in perfect harmony.
Crimson lovers drowning in the same flood
Two passionate people struggling through the same hardships.
I miss the beauty of your young black skin
I miss you and all that you represented.
I thought that freedom
I used to believe that freedom.
Can only be defined as endless choice
Was only found in an endless array of choices.
And I only listened to the logic of the loudest voice
I only paid attention to the dominant voices.
But this world
This world.
Will be shaken by a whisper
Can be transformed by even the smallest actions or words.
But this world
This world.
Will be shaken by a whisper
Can be transformed by even the smallest actions or words.
Writer(s): Ashley Glenn Gorley, Natalie Diane Grant, Bernie Herms
Contributed by Christian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.