Initially known as "Seafood Mama", the group gained a strong local following playing bars and nightclubs in Portland, Oregon. In the spring of 1980, Seafood Mama recorded Marv's new composition "Harden My Heart" on a private record label. The single received considerable airplay on Portland radio stations, and the band felt that they were ready for something more
Signed by a then young label, Geffen Records, the group released their first album, 'Quarterflash', in 1981. The label's marketing organization had urged getting rid of the "Seafood Mama" name, so they changed things. The new name supposedly came from an colloquial Australian reference to new immigrants as "one quarter flash and three parts foolish".
A new version of "Harden My Heart" was recorded and released; and rose to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album reached number 8 on Billboard's Top Albums, and sold over a million copies, earning RIAA gold certification on February 5, 1982, and platinum status on June 29, 1982. Their follow-up single from the album, "Find Another Fool", reached #16.
Quarterflash released their second album, Take Another Picture, in 1983. It reached #34 on Billboard, and scored the single "Take Me to Heart", which reached #14. The group released their final album, Back Into Blue, in 1985. It peaked at #150 in Billboard, and group disbanded after getting dropped from their record label.
In 1991, Marv & Rindy Ross were awarded a commision by the state of Oregon to produce a stage musical based on diaries of migrants on the historic Oregon Trail. From that project came a nine disc collection of traditional Americana music, recorded as The Trail Band.
"Harden My Heart" still receives air play on "Classic" rock radio.
Harden My Heart
Quarterflash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I swear I'll never, ever wait again
You gave me your word but words for you are lies
Darlin' in my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd go
But it's time to let you know, oh
I'm gonna harden my heart
I'm gonna swallow my tears
I'm gonna turn and leave you here
All of my life I've been waitin' in the rain
I've been waiting for a feeling that never, ever came
It feels so close, but always disappears
Darlin', in your wildest dreams, you never had a clue
But it's time you got the news
I'm gonna harden my heart
I'm gonna swallow my tears
I'm gonna turn and leave you here
Darlin' in my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd go
But it's time to let you know, oh
I'm gonna harden my heart
I'm gonna swallow my tears
I'm gonna turn and leave you here
I'ma gonna harden my heart
I'm gonna swallow my tears
I'ma gonna harden my heart
I'm gonna swallow my tears
Harden my heart
I'm gonna swallow my tears
No, oh, oh, oh
Harden my heart
I'm gonna harden my heart
I'm gonna swallow my tears
I'ma gonna harden my heart
I'm gonna swallow my tears
Harden my heart, harden my heart
Swallow my tears
I'm gonna harden my heart
The lyrics to Quarterflash's song "Harden My Heart" describe the pain of waiting for someone who never follows through with promises. The singer is crying on a street corner, in the rain, and swears she will never wait again. She had been given promises, but they were nothing more than lies. The pain she feels is so intense that she decides to harden her heart, swallow her tears, and leave the person behind. All her life, she had been waiting for a feeling that never came. It felt so close, but always disappeared. The person she waited for never had a clue, and now it's time for them to get the news.
The song's lyrics express the inner struggle of someone who has put their heart on the line for someone else, only to be let down repeatedly. The decision to harden her heart is one of self-preservation, as the singer realizes they can't keep waiting for something that may never come.
Overall, "Harden My Heart" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the experience of heartbreak and disappointment. Its message is relatable and timeless, as many people have experienced similar feelings of pain and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Cryin' on the corner, waitin' in the rain
Feeling hopeless and desperate while waiting for someone who may never come.
I swear I'll never, ever wait again
Making a promise to oneself to never be put in that same helpless situation again.
You gave me your word but words for you are lies
Realizing that someone who promised something can't be trusted, even if they speak reassuring words.
But it's time to let you know, oh
Feeling the need to open up and reveal what has been on one's mind for too long.
All of my life I've been waitin' in the rain
Reflecting on a life of unfulfilled longing and waiting for something that never materialized.
It feels so close, but always disappears
Feeling like the thing one desires is almost within reach, but it always manages to elude them.
Darlin', in your wildest dreams, you never had a clue
Realizing that the other person never understood what one truly wanted and needed.
I'm gonna harden my heart
Deciding to close oneself off emotionally in order to prevent further hurt or disappointment.
I'm gonna swallow my tears
Internalizing one's emotions and not letting them show, even if it means suffering in silence.
I'm gonna turn and leave you here
Deciding to walk away from the situation, regardless of any possible consequences.
No, oh, oh, oh
Expressing defiance and determination to stick to one's decision.
Harden my heart, harden my heart
Repeating the phrase to reinforce the decision to close oneself off emotionally.
Swallow my tears
Reiterating the need to keep one's emotions in check and not show vulnerability.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Ross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind