Quest
J. Mascis/J Mascis Lyrics
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Justice has finally escaped
The dripping words of yesterday
Set my feeble mind astray
I yearn to see
The glow of her eyes as I appear
A sign of satisfaction
Could be the sweetest sound
I've already started back down
Come on
I love the caterpillars
Munching on the leaves
Pitter patter
Makes me forget my disease
Bugs have feelers just like me
And I'm feelin' oh so lonely
Disturbed in every sense of grace
The lady wouldn't give me a taste
Of the joy that means that much
It lives within her touch
Why won't you be my friend
I would love to hold you tonight
Even if we just pretend
Why won't you be my friend
Why
Why won't you be my friend
I would love to hold you tonight
Even if we just pretend
Why won't you be my friend
Be my friend
I'd love to meet the one
Who broke my heart
I know she'd melt me with her dance
Her subtle colors, her sweet smile
But it's a shame
She'll never get that chance
The song "Quest" by J Mascis is a contemplative piece about yearning for a time when justice is free and accessible, and the weight of past words causing confusion in the mind. J Mascis calls out for a sign of satisfaction, a glow that would indicate that all is well. But the staircase of life has proved to have more steps than anticipated, and the ascent seems impossible. The next verse talks about how the small things in life, like caterpillars munching on leaves, can provide moments of forgetting the troubles and sickness of life. But at the same time, the feeling of loneliness is palpable, as the singer feels disturbed in every sense of grace, and has been denied the joy of human connection that means so much. The song ends with a poignant note, as the singer longs to meet the person who broke their heart, knowing they would have been wonderful, but realizing that it is a lost cause.
Overall, the song seems to be about a struggling search for meaning, satisfaction, and friendship. The singer is looking for something, whether it be justice or companionship, that seems almost out of reach. The song has a melancholic and introspective mood, with J Mascis's distinctive drawl adding to the overall effect.
Line by Line Meaning
Turning towards a time so free
Looking towards a period of unrestricted freedom
Justice has finally escaped
Finally, justice is served and wrongdoing has escaped punishment
The dripping words of yesterday
Memories of the past that are constantly recalled
Set my feeble mind astray
Causing my weak mindset to drift away from reality
I yearn to see
I deeply desire to witness
The glow of her eyes as I appear
The radiance in her eyes when she sets eyes on me
A sign of satisfaction
Indicating a feeling of contentment
Could be the sweetest sound
Maybe the most pleasant feeling
The staircase has one too many steps
The steps on the staircase are too many to climb
I've already started back down
I've begun to descend the staircase
Come on
Asking for encouragement
I love the caterpillars
I've got love for the caterpillars
Munching on the leaves
Chewing on greenery
Pitter-patter
The sound of droplets falling
Makes me forget my disease
Helps me relieve my illness
Bugs have feelers just like me
Insects have antennae for touch, just like me
And I'm feelin' oh so lonely
Currently experiencing intense loneliness
Disturbed in every sense of grace
Upsetting in every aspect of elegance
The lady wouldn't give me a taste
The woman didn't allow me to taste her
Of the joy that means that much
The pleasure that is highly treasured
It lives within her touch
It's present and felt through her touch
Why won't you be my friend
Asking why they won't form a friendship
I would love to hold you tonight
I deeply desire to embrace you tonight
Even if we just pretend
Even if it's just make-believe
Be my friend
Form a friendship with me
I'd love to meet the one
I desire to encounter the person
Who broke my heart
The one who shattered my heart
I know she'd melt me with her dance
I'm convinced she'll enamour me with her moves
Her subtle colors, her sweet smile
Her delicate hues and charming grin
But it's a shame
Unfortunately,
She'll never get that chance
She'll never be granted that opportunity
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOSEPH DONALD MASCIS JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danstone9039
Holy fuck how does this have no comments? Awesome stuff
@oliveoil4380
I’m here! I’m commenting. I love J. He’s my soul brother
Hope he gets that ( I’m 60 in about a month-also this man talks my parents my family- he gets me. I love him.
@og_queenie3303
WOW, the man!
@TheTrueKailash
great
@tagosusej7529
hillarious
@oliveoil4380
J talks about girls breaking his heart?
No J my sweet brother, you can have anyone. These girls you sing of leaving you?
Some alternate brain
Another world
You fool no one
My friend
@fossilsol69
Wish more artists would get off their asses and play for folks to see. Folks talk about great guitar players but if you can’t see them and they don’t make any songs what good does that do ya. Nobody’s out there like J doing it .
@drawrings
3:24-3:28 why didn't this get an applause from that lame crowd!?
@illuminatibraincontrol
cause its rude in small shows to applause while people are playing