Based in Orlando since the early-’90s, the former record shop owner and college radio DJ has spent the past two decades developing a sound that is obsessively devoted to the funk. His animated, vodka-soaked DJ sets have won audiences for the well-traveled Donaldson from San Francisco to (literally) Siberia, and landed him primo opening slots for GusGus, Chemical Brothers and Meat Beat Manifesto.
However, it’s his playful rhythms, surprising melodic themes and not-so-surprising Eno-esque textures that demand attention. An accomplished indie musician prior to releasing his first single as Q-BAM—the breakbeat noir of “141 Revenge Street” in 1995—Donaldson is first and foremost a songwriter, albeit one that is just as enamored with the sheer power of the groove.
With a trusty Roland Juno 106 synth at his side, Q-BAM released three full-length albums via the respected electronic label Astralwerks, including Invisible Airline which featured several collaborations with vocalist Lisa Shaw. He has recorded numerous singles for house-centric imprints such as Brique Rouge, Slip N’ Slide, NRK and of course, Eighth Dimension. Q-BAM was also one of the talented producers on alt-country icon Jim White’s 2001 Luaka Bop release No Such Place. The album cast White’s stark vocals in a wasteland of dusty beats and ghostly slide guitars, with Donaldson’s tracks providing some of its most intoxicating moments.
Though his “endless summer” schedule—more than 100 DJ dates annually—and ongoing production projects would seemingly exhaust a mere mortal, Q-BAM rather enjoys this 120-BPM soundtrack. Accordingly, Donaldson and fellow Orlando producer/DJ Atnarko launched the deep house label EIGHT-TRACKS, dedicated to releasing “strange sounds that you can dance to,” says Q-BAM himself. Additionally, house imprint Agave Records tapped Donaldson to throw down a mix CD titled Agave Nectar Vol. 1, available in fine records shops worldwide..
Currently, Q-BAM is hard at work with his monthly Invisible Airwaves radio show (syndicated to over a dozen stations worldwide) as well as studio and label duties, and his constant DJ touring schedule. Recent Q-Burns Abstract Message singles include the Italian-horror film inspired “Chainsaw” for EIGHT-TRACKS, a collection of remixes by Cole Medina and Presslaboys of the classic Invisible Airline track “Innocent” (featuring the vocals of Lisa Shaw), and a revamped “Balearic Chainsaw” with mixes by Q-BAM pal Scott Hardkiss. As if there wasn’t already enough deliciously warm and gooey queso already piled high on his plate, Q-BAM is also hard at work recording a slew of tracks for an upcoming mystery project, to be launched sometime within the year.
Innocent
Q-Burns Abstract Message Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems like it's real,
Face it, you know all I feel!
Never remember to sense to.
Never contend it with me.
You want things so bad,
Never knew where it could last.
Just so you know why I'm here,
Chorus:
So I long to be with you,
And I long cause I kissed you, baby!
Oh, I never meant to miss you,
Oh I never meant to miss you!
Say I'm simple; tell me I'm real,
Speak to me I'm down here!
Something you say, the innocent way,
Something you play, over my,
Chorus:
Oh, I long to be with you,
And I long cause I kissed you, baby!
Oh, I never meant to miss you,
Oh I never meant to miss you!
So I long to be with you,
And I long cause I kissed you, baby!
Oh, I never meant to miss you,
Oh I never meant to miss you!
The lyrics to Q-Burns Abstract Message's song Innocent seem to be about someone confessing their feelings to another person. The singer seems to be admitting how real their emotions are and how they cannot help but feel this way, even though it might cause confusion or fear. The chorus reveals that the singer longs to be with the person they are singing to, and that they regret any missed opportunities they have had to be together.
Throughout the song, the singer seems to be pleading with the other person to hear them out and not dismiss their feelings as being too simple or shallow. They want to be taken seriously and hope that their innocent ways and actions will be enough to persuade the other person to give them a chance. The song is filled with longing, regret, and a sense of vulnerability that is expressed through the emotional delivery of the lyrics.
Overall, the song Innocent seems to be about the complexities of expressing one's emotions and being vulnerable with someone else. The singer admits to their own naivete and simplicity, but still hopes to be heard and understood by the person they care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh,
Expressing excitement or surprise
It seems like it's real,
What is happening seems genuine
Face it, you know all I feel!
Acknowledge my emotions as valid
Never remember to sense to.
Don't forget to use your intuition
Never contend it with me.
Don't argue with me
You want things so bad,
You have strong desires
Never knew where it could last.
Didn't know how long it would last
Just so you know why I'm here,
I'm clarifying my reasons for being here
Not to confuse me with fear,
Don't mistake my intentions for fear
Oh, I long to be with you,
I have a deep desire to be with you
And I long cause I kissed you, baby!
My desire for you was sparked by our kiss
Oh, I never meant to miss you,
I didn't intend to miss you
Say I'm simple; tell me I'm real,
Acknowledge my simplicity and authenticity
Speak to me I'm down here!
Talk to me like an equal
Something you say, the innocent way,
Your innocent words affect me
Something you play, over my,
Your innocent actions affect me
Oh, I long to be with you,
I have a deep desire to be with you
And I long cause I kissed you, baby!
My desire for you was sparked by our kiss
Oh, I never meant to miss you,
I didn't intend to miss you
So I long to be with you,
I have a deep desire to be with you
And I long cause I kissed you, baby!
My desire for you was sparked by our kiss
Oh, I never meant to miss you,
I didn't intend to miss you
Writer(s): Lisa Marie Shaw-winsett, Michael De Sha Donaldson
Contributed by Camilla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Felix Ortiz
This track is everything
small _field3
very nice introduction🎵
jismbabe
I’m innocent… 😇since 2/2/2014… and even 2day 2/2/2022 🧸at this hour… 22:22:22 pm.
(Special song)💝🎶
rkp18
2 Good !
Mr. Workshop
Ufffff!! I never meant to miss you...I'm innocent!!
gsotoaz
👍🏽 this is my workout song workout 🏋🏽♀️
Sergey Krylov
It this track isn’t pure happiness, than what happiness is?
master 82575
😎