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.
Williams Avenue
Quarterflash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where that blood-red moon is goin' down
And all the stars are right on cue
High on Williams Avenue
Hallelujah, Friday's here
The week is long for the insincere
The wine is red and the song is blue
High on Williams Avenue
High, high, high on Williams Avenue
I'm a stranger
I know it's true
But I was hoping
That you just might change the rules
I said it feels I'm in the Portland Zoo
High on Williams Avenue
Let me ride your Cadillac
I don't care when I when I get back
At least I'll say
That I once knew
High on Williams Avenue
High on Williams Avenue
High, high, high on Williams Avenue yeah!
Me and love are more than ready
For that blood-red moon to shine
And your autumn air is heady
Come and take me for a ride
Hallelujah, Friday's here
The week is long for the insincere
The wine is red and the song is blue
High on Williams Avenue
High on Williams Avenue
High, high, high on Williams Avenue (yeah!)
The song "Williams Avenue" by Quarterflash is a ballad about a longing for a sense of belonging and escape from the mundane aspects of life. The song describes the titular street as a place of freedom where people can let loose and find themselves. The opening lines of the song mention the north side of town and a "blood-red" moon, creating a mysterious and alluring atmosphere. The singer mentions feeling like a stranger, and hoping to find someone to "change the rules." They wish to escape the confines of their everyday life and ride along Williams Avenue to experience something new.
Quarterflash sings about the inherently exciting and liberating experience of being "high on Williams Avenue." The lyrics are poignant as they reveal the deep desire for a break from routine, and for a way to be transformed by something new and exciting. The singer is looking for someone or something to take them away and help them experience this new world. They are captivated by the possibility of riding in a Cadillac and discovering the secrets that Williams Avenue holds. The song's title is repeated throughout, creating a sense of longing and desire for this mysterious place.
Overall, "Williams Avenue" is an introspective piece on the human desire for escape, and the ways that we seek out new experiences and places to belong. The lyrics are poetic and filled with imagery, capturing the sense of longing and wonder that we all experience at some point in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
On the north side of town
Describing the location the singer is in.
Where that blood-red moon is goin' down
Describing the time of day (sunset) and the appearance of the moon.
And all the stars are right on cue
Describing a clear night sky and how the stars appear in perfect alignment.
High on Williams Avenue
Expressing the singer's location and mood (excited or possibly under the influence of drugs).
Hallelujah, Friday's here
Expressing the excitement for the upcoming weekend, specifically Friday.
The week is long for the insincere
Implying that the work week is difficult for those who do not truly enjoy what they do.
The wine is red and the song is blue
Describing the atmosphere of the area - possibly a bar or nightclub - with the use of color imagery.
High on Williams Avenue
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer.
High on Williams Avenue
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer.
High, high, high on Williams Avenue
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer, with emphasis.
I'm a stranger
Describing the singer's status as an outsider.
I know it's true
Acknowledging that the singer is in fact an outsider in this community.
But I was hoping
Expressing a desire to connect with someone in the area despite being a stranger.
That you just might change the rules
Requesting that the person they are addressing be open and accepting towards the singer despite being a stranger.
I said it feels I'm in the Portland Zoo
Comparing the singer's experience of feeling like an outsider to being in a zoo - on display and out of place.
High on Williams Avenue
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer.
Let me ride your Cadillac
Asking for access to someone else's luxury vehicle for a joyride.
I don't care when I when I get back
Implying that the singer is not concerned with what happens after they take the car, possibly fueled by the mood on Williams Avenue.
At least I'll say
Acknowledging the possibility of the car ride being a brag-worthy experience.
That I once knew
Further emphasizing the point that this experience will be memorable and possibly a source of pride for the singer.
High on Williams Avenue
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer.
High on Williams Avenue
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer.
High, high, high on Williams Avenue yeah!
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer, with emphasis.
Me and love are more than ready
Implies that the singer is in the mood for love or adventure.
For that blood-red moon to shine
Reiterating the time of day and the appearance of the moon, potentially to set the scene for a romantic encounter.
And your autumn air is heady
Describing the autumn weather as intoxicating or exhilarating.
Come and take me for a ride
Expressing the singer's desire to be swept away in a romantic or adventurous manner.
Hallelujah, Friday's here
Repeating the sense of excitement for the weekend that has now arrived.
The week is long for the insincere
Repeating the belief that the weekday grind is difficult for those who are not living genuinely or doing something they enjoy with their time.
The wine is red and the song is blue
Repeating the color imagery to describe the atmosphere on Williams Avenue.
High on Williams Avenue
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer.
High on Williams Avenue
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer.
High, high, high on Williams Avenue (yeah!)
Reiterating the location and mood of the singer, with emphasis.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Ross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind