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.
valerie
Quarterflash Lyrics
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You offered to help this poor fool
And I was more than pleased
That you had taken me under your wing
And during those first encounters
I sensed a curious power
But I was ill equipped
To understand your subtle hints
Oh Valerie!
Oh! I never thought it would go this far
Oh Valerie-hee!
I never thought it would go-o-o-o this far
I never suspected your intentions
When you showed unusual affection
But when you kissed my cheek
My world collapsed my knees went weak
That moment just made no sense
I lost my nerve and innocence
I turned and ran away
I'll never understand that day
Oh Valerie!
Oh! I never thought it would go this far
Oh Valerie-hee!
I never thought it would go-o-o-o this far
It's so easy to see now
You dropped a thousand clues
But no matter which way I turn I've something to lose
Something to lose!
Oh Valerie!
Oh! I never thought it would go this far
Oh Valerie-hee!
I never thought it would go-o-o-o this far
The last I saw of Valerie
She was followed in the school's art gallery
By some aspiring soul
I hope she understands her role
Still stumped in my confusion
With one last innocent illusion
I've got just this to say
I wish there had been an easier way
Oh-ho! Valerie
I never thought it would go this far
Oh Valerie-hee!
I never thought it would go- whoah-o-o-o!
Oh Valerie!
Oh! I never thought it would go this far
Oh Valerie-hee!
I never thought it would go this far
The lyrics to Quarterflash's song "Valerie" tell the story of a young man who becomes infatuated with a woman named Valerie while in art school. He is grateful for the help she offers him, but is initially unaware of her intentions. Eventually, she kisses him on the cheek, causing him to panic and run away. The song reflects on his confusion and regret, as he wishes there had been an easier way to navigate their relationship.
The first verse sets the scene of their initial encounters, where the singer feels a "curious power" from Valerie but is "ill-equipped" to understand her subtle hints. The chorus repeats the line "Oh Valerie! I never thought it would go this far" twice, emphasizing the surprise and disbelief that the singer feels as the relationship progresses. The second verse highlights the moment when Valerie kisses him on the cheek, causing him to lose his "nerve and innocence" and "turn and run away." The bridge reveals that the singer is aware of the clues Valerie had dropped, but feels like he has "something to lose" no matter what he does. The song ends with the singer looking back on his experience with regret and wishing there had been an easier way to handle it.
Overall, "Valerie" is a poignant reflection on the confusion and complexity of young love. The lyrics capture the insecurity and vulnerability of the singer as he tries to navigate his feelings for Valerie. It is a relatable and honest portrayal of the human experience of falling in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't have a chance in art school
I lacked the necessary skill to excel in art school
You offered to help this poor fool
You extended help to me, a helpless and naive person
And I was more than pleased
I felt gratified by your kind gesture
That you had taken me under your wing
I felt fortunate that you had become my mentor
And during those first encounters
In the early stages of our interaction
I sensed a curious power
I felt an unusual dominance/control emanating from you
But I was ill equipped
I lacked the capacity to comprehend the situation
To understand your subtle hints
To grasp the meaning behind your indirect suggestions
Oh Valerie!
Addressing Valerie in an emotional outburst
Oh! I never thought it would go this far
Expressing surprise at how far the situation has escalated
I never suspected your intentions
I did not anticipate your motives
When you showed unusual affection
When you displayed unexpected fondness towards me
But when you kissed my cheek
When you planted a kiss on my cheek
My world collapsed my knees went weak
I was overwhelmed by the gesture and lost my composure
That moment just made no sense
I was unable to comprehend the significance of that moment
I lost my nerve and innocence
I became nervous and lost my innocence
I turned and ran away
I fled from the situation
I'll never understand that day
I will always be confused about that day
It's so easy to see now
The situation is clear to me now
You dropped a thousand clues
You gave numerous hints
But no matter which way I turn I've something to lose
Regardless of my course of action, I will suffer losses
Oh-ho! Valerie
Addressing Valerie with slight disbelief
The last I saw of Valerie
The latest encounter I had with Valerie
She was followed in the school's art gallery
I observed Valerie moving through the art gallery
By some aspiring soul
Pursued by an enthusiastic person
I hope she understands her role
I hope Valerie grasps her position in this scenario
Still stumped in my confusion
I remain perplexed and uncertain
With one last innocent illusion
With one final naive belief
I've got just this to say
I have nothing more to add than this
I wish there had been an easier way
I wish the situation could have had a simpler resolution
Contributed by Caroline A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.