Quest
J Mascis (dinosaur jr.) 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 lyrics of the song "Quest" by J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) paint a picture of a quest for satisfaction and friendship. The singer yearns to see the glow in the eyes of someone who is satisfied with their presence. They express loneliness and feeling disconnected from society with the metaphor of caterpillars munching on leaves. The singer is disturbed and unsatisfied after not receiving joy or friendship from a lady, whom he only desires to hold. The final lines express a desire to connect with the one who broke his heart, but unfortunately, they will never get that chance.
The song seems to be exploring themes of loneliness, dissatisfaction, and the desire for human connection. The opening lines suggest a longing for a time that feels more free, perhaps when there was more justice or equity in the world. The song then goes on to explore the singer's personal quest for satisfaction and how they feel disconnected from those around them. The caterpillar metaphor is particularly interesting, as it suggests a certain level of empathy with creatures of nature, and perhaps a feeling that some kind of simpler, more harmonious existence is possible outside of human society.
Interestingly, the song seems to end on a somewhat ambiguous note, with the singer expressing a desire to meet the person who broke their heart, but acknowledging that this is unlikely to happen. This seems to suggest a certain level of resignation or acceptance of their loneliness, but also a curiosity about what might have been. Overall, "Quest" is a poignant and melancholic exploration of human connection and the search for satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Turning towards a time so free
Looking to a time without restrictions or obstacles
Justice has finally escaped
The concept of fairness has become lost or impossible to attain
The dripping words of yesterday
Memories of undesirable experiences
Set my feeble mind astray
Caused confusion or a distorted perception
I yearn to see
Desire to experience something
The glow of her eyes as I appear
The brightness of attraction or pleasure in someone's eyes when they see you
A sign of satisfaction
An indication of contentment or happiness
Could be the sweetest sound
It may be the most pleasant experience
The staircase has one too many steps
An obstacle or error in a process
I've already started back down
Giving up or reversing course
Come on
An exclamation, urging someone to take action
I love the caterpillars
A fondness or appreciation for small, simple things
Munching on the leaves
Eating or consuming something
Pitter patter
A sound made by footsteps or rain drops
Makes me forget my disease
Distraction from a personal issue or affliction
Bugs have feelers just like me
A comparison between oneself and something typically considered less important or intelligent
And I'm feelin' oh so lonely
A sense of isolation or sadness
Disturbed in every sense of grace
Upset or unsettled in a fundamental aspect of oneself
The lady wouldn't give me a taste
Someone or something did not provide desired access or permission
Of the joy that means that much
A experience of happiness that holds great importance
It lives within her touch
Emphasis on the power or effect of physical contact
Why won't you be my friend
A request for companionship or connection
I would love to hold you tonight
Desire for intimacy
Even if we just pretend
A willingness to create an illusion of connection or intimacy
Be my friend
Repeated request for companionship
I'd love to meet the one
Desire to encounter someone particular
Who broke my heart
The object of disappointment or emotional pain
I know she'd melt me with her dance
An imagined or remembered experience of attraction or admiration
Her subtle colors, her sweet smile
Physical attributes that inspire affection or attraction
But it's a shame
Regret or sadness about the situation
She'll never get that chance
A recognition of finality or missed opportunities
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