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.
Just For You
Quarterflash Lyrics
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Some do it for touch and tenderness
They do it for power and for control
They do it for money and for rock 'n' roll
Some people don't know why they do
But I, I know, I do it just for, just for
Just for you and nobody else
Just for you, you know what I mean
Just for you even in my dreams
Where I say "Talk to me, couchez-vouz"
It's easy with you
I know what you need
I know what to do
Just for you
Some to heal and some to hurt
Some for thrills and some for dirt
Some to remember, some to forget
Some do it for anything they can get
Oh, some people don't know why they do
But I, I know, I do it just for, just for
Just for you in the night
Just for you, baby, dressed in white
Just for you, you know what I mean
Just for you even in my dreams
Where I say "Talk to me, couchez-vouz"
It's easy with you
I know what you need
I know what to do
Just for you
The lyrics to Quarterflash's song "Just For You" describe why some people engage in different activities, and in this case, the singer is communicating why they do what they do. The first verse talks about people who do things for different reasons- for love, money, power, or any other motives. In the chorus, the singer affirms that they do what they do just for one person- "just for you" and "nobody else." It becomes clear that this person occupies a special place in the singer's life, and all the motives for doing something else don't compare to making this person happy.
In the second verse, the singer mentions more reasons why people do different things. Some do it to heal, while others do it to hurt. Some people indulge in certain activities for thrills and excitement, others to forget or remember things, and some for anything they can get. However, the singer states that they do what they do just because of one person- the one they love. In the bridge, the singer highlights how easy it is to communicate with this person, and they know exactly what this person needs and what to do to make them happy. In essence, the song is about doing something for someone, just to make them feel happy or loved, without any other ulterior motive.
Line by Line Meaning
Some do it for love and some for less
Some people engage in certain activities for the sake of love while others do so for the sake of something else, not necessarily money.
Some do it for touch and tenderness
There are those that participate in activities to feel the touch and intimacy of someone else.
They do it for power and for control
Some people engage in activities to feel powerful and in control of a situation or another person.
They do it for money and for rock 'n' roll
Others do it for the monetary or physical reward, such as a passion for music.
Some people don't know why they do
Some people may not know the reason why they engage in a specific activity.
But I, I know, I do it just for, just for
However, the singer is aware of their motive, which is exclusive to this one person.
Just for you and nobody else
The singer only engages in this activity specific to the person they are addressing and no one else.
Just for you, baby, can't you tell
The recipient of the activity should be aware that it is solely for them and no one else.
Just for you, you know what I mean
The recipient should understand the implication of the artist's statement.
Just for you even in my dreams
The artist dreams about engaging in this activity only for the recipient, as well.
Where I say "Talk to me, couchez-vouz"
The singer wants them to share personal and intimate moments together.
It's easy with you
The artist finds it effortless to connect with the person they are addressing.
I know what you need
The singer understands what the person they address desires.
I know what to do
The singer knows how to provide for the person they address in a way that will satisfy them.
Just for you in the night
The activity can be done exclusively in the night for the recipient only.
Just for you, baby, dressed in white
The artist may be portraying themselves as someone innocent and pure for the recipient only.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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