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.
Make It Shine
Quarterflash Lyrics
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There's a reason to believe your eyes
An ounce of conviction is the only admission
Yeah, it's risky, but it's worth the ride
And all the dreams that you've held inside
Yes, they're waiting to break out, you just have to try
Make it shine, let your heart beat right in time
Find a clue and unfold it, shake the dust off and hold it
If it tells you something let me know
So much is forgotten, so much worth unlocking
Won't you tell me how to break the code
And never worry 'bout the things you read
It's so easy to tear down, so hard to believe
Too may dreamers are fading, shine on, shine on, shine
Live, there's a life to live
Give, there's a gift to give
Yes, there's a reason to make it
Shine on and make it true,
Work, make it work for you
Yes, there's a reason to make it shine
Find a secret and learn it, find a key there and turn it
Do whatever you do through the night
A skill in your fingers like a memory lingers
You gotta do it till it comes out right
You never know till you take a chance
If you're out on that wire you might as well dance
The lyrics of Quarterflash's song "Make It Shine" are a powerful message about chasing your dreams and taking risks. The song encourages listeners to look for the miracles in life and take advantage of opportunities presented to them. The lyrics open with a call to action, suggesting that there is a miracle waiting and a ticket worth taking. The songwriter urges the listener to believe their eyes and have conviction in their actions, even if it may be risky.
The song then takes a turn towards introspection, asking the listener to look inward and find the dreams they have held inside. The lyrics suggest that these dreams are waiting to break out, but it is up to the listener to take the chance and make them come true. The chorus of the song provides a clear message: "Make it shine, let your heart beat right in time, make it shine, lay your whole world on the line." Finally, the lyrics encourage the listener to find a secret or a key and turn it, do whatever they need to do through the night, and as the last line states, "If you're out on that wire you might as well dance."
Overall, "Make It Shine" is a powerful message of hope and encouragement for anyone feeling lost or unsure about their dreams or passions. It is a call to action, asking the listener to take risks and chase their dreams, even if it may be scary or uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a miracle waiting, there's a ticket worth taking
A thrilling opportunity awaits, and you should take it.
There's a reason to believe your eyes
Your instincts are telling you something important that you should pay attention to.
An ounce of conviction is the only admission
Believing in yourself is the key to making progress and moving forward.
Yeah, it's risky, but it's worth the ride
Taking chances can be dangerous, but it's worth it in the end if the outcome is positive.
And all the dreams that you've held inside
Your innermost desires and aspirations are within your reach if you take the necessary steps to achieve them.
Yes, they're waiting to break out, you just have to try
Your dreams are within reach, all you need to do is take a leap of faith and make an effort to achieve them.
Make it shine, let your heart beat right in time
Believe in yourself and put your heart and soul into everything that you do.
Make it shine, lay your whole world on the line
Give everything you've got and don't hold back, take risks and go for what you really want.
Find a clue and unfold it, shake the dust off and hold it
Search for clues and solutions to guide you, and persevere even if things seem difficult to figure out.
If it tells you something let me know
If you discover something along your journey, share your insights with others and learn from their thoughts as well.
So much is forgotten, so much worth unlocking
There is so much potential around us that is often overlooked or ignored, but there's also so much to uncover and explore if we remain open-minded.
Won't you tell me how to break the code
Share your knowledge and help others overcome challenges that they might be facing themselves.
And never worry 'bout the things you read
Don't get too caught up in what others say, instead trust your own instincts and beliefs.
It's so easy to tear down, so hard to believe
It's much easier to criticize or dismiss something than it is to have faith in it and give it a chance to grow and develop.
Too may dreamers are fading, shine on, shine on, shine
Many people lose hope and forget their dreams, but always strive to shine and be a light for yourself and others.
Live, there's a life to live
Don't just exist or go through the motions of life, actually live life to the fullest.
Give, there's a gift to give
In a world where it's easy to take, consider the value of giving and sharing your own gifts and talents with others.
Yes, there's a reason to make it
There is always a reason to strive for something and put in the effort to achieve it.
Shine on and make it true
Keep shining and be true to yourself, always staying true to your values and goals.
Work, make it work for you
Put in the necessary work and effort to achieve your goals, while also finding ways to make it enjoyable and fulfilling.
Find a secret and learn it, find a key there and turn it
Discover hidden knowledge and uncover secrets to help guide you on your journey.
Do whatever you do through the night
Never give up or give in to fear or uncertainty, but persevere through the darkness and continue pushing forward.
A skill in your fingers like a memory lingers
Practice and repetition can help develop your skills until they become second nature, like a fond memory that stays with you forever.
You gotta do it till it comes out right
Keep trying and refining your approach until you achieve the results you desire.
You never know till you take a chance
Don't be afraid to take chances and try new things, as you never know what opportunities might arise.
If you're out on that wire you might as well dance
Life is precarious and unpredictable, so you might as well enjoy yourself and embrace the moment while you can.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARVIN ROSS, MARVIN WEBSTER ROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind