In 1990, Coomes, Weiss, and Brad Pedinov formed the band Motorgoat. The band released two self-released cassettes and one 7" single before dissolving in 1993. Quasi started recording as a duo in 1993. They played with various additional musicians in early live appearances, but eventually settled on playing live as a duo as well. They self-recorded and self-released a cassette and a CD in 1993. They recorded R&B Transmogrification in the Portland band Pond's basement recording studio and released it on Up Records in 1997. They released two more albums with Up: Featuring "Birds" in 1998 and Field Studies in 1999; both albums were recorded at Jackpot Studios in Portland, Oregon.
In 1998 and 1999 they toured the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Japan opening for and serving as the backup band for Elliott Smith (who Coomes had played with in Heatmiser) as well as touring on their own in the U.S. and Europe. In 2001 They home-recorded The Sword of God and released it on Touch & Go. Quasi had been somewhat political since its inception, but their opposition to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq showed through in a straight-forward way with the release of Hot Shit! in 2003, particularly in the songs "White Devil's Dream" and "Master and Dog." When the Going Gets Dark followed in 2006, released on Touch & Go in the U.S. and Domino Records in Europe, as with Hot Shit!.
In Spring 2009, the band announced that they had signed to the Kill Rock Stars label, and were due to release their already recorded next album in the latter half of the year. That album, entitled American Gong, was released February 23, 2010 to generally favorable reviews. It was their first and only album to feature third member Joanna Bolme. Following a tour of Japan, Europe, and the United States in support of the full length, Bolme left the band. A duo again, Sam and Janet are recording material for a new album.
All the Same
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't really care if you label me a whore
Frayed at the edges, busted at the seams
I can walk with a song, sleep with my dreams
You can cover up your chains, and call yourself free
It doesn't really matter,
It's all the same to me
You're the new newest thing and we've seen it all before
In fact I've seen it many times and I'll see it many more
You know it won't last, you know it never does
But better to be a has-been than to be a never-was
You can get out with it clean or prolong the agony
Which ever you prefer,
It's all the same to me
You worship the future like it's some kind of saint
But it's just like the past with a new coat of paint
Try to save a world that doesn't want to be saved
Stolen like a child, the one you think is misbehaved
You can say what you want or say what you see
You can say nothing, its all the same to me
The song "All the Same" by Quasi is a powerful criticism of the modern society and its tendencies. The opening lines of the song convey a sense of empowerment that comes from the realization of one's worth. The singer refuses to give up her talents and efforts for free anymore and wouldn't care if anyone labels her a whore for asking for what she deserves. The imagery of 'frayed at edges, busted at the seams' is an indication of the gritty sense of resilience and determination that the singer has.
The next verse talks about the universal tendency of people to repeat the same old patterns and follow fleeting trends. The singer has seen it all before and will see it many more times, and she confidently points out the fleeting nature of passing fads. The pre-chorus contrasts the supposed freedom that people think they have, but in reality, they are bound by invisible chains, and their choices have no real impact. The chorus emphasizes that, regardless of the disguise or excuse, it's all the same to her.
Finally, the song takes on the topic of hope and change, something that is always on the collective mind of humankind. The singer points out the irony of chasing after a future that is often just a rehashing of the past with a new coat of paint. She mentions the futility of trying to save a world that doesn't want to be saved and highlights the lack of empathy in those who judge others. The last line of the song, "you can say what you want or say what you see, you can say nothing, it's all the same to me," marks the climax of the song, which is a powerful invitation to reconsider our choices and patterns.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not gonna give it up for free anymore
I will no longer provide my services for free.
And I don't really care if you label me a whore
I am unconcerned if you choose to call me a prostitute.
Frayed at the edges, busted at the seams
My condition is deteriorating rapidly.
I can walk with a song, sleep with my dreams
Despite my condition, I am still able to find happiness and contentment.
You can cover up your chains, and call yourself free
You can try to deceive yourself that you are free, but in reality you are still chained.
It doesn't really matter, It's all the same to me
Regardless of how you view yourself, it does not change my situation.
You're the newest thing and we've seen it all before
Your novelty is not unique and has been witnessed many times before.
In fact I've seen it many times and I'll see it many more
I have experienced this before and will continue to do so in the future.
You know it won't last, you know it never does
You are aware that this trend will not endure, as it never does.
But better to be a has-been than to be a never-was
It is preferable to have experienced success and lost it than to have never succeeded at all.
You can get out with it clean or prolong the agony
You have the choice to exit gracefully or drag out the ordeal.
Which ever you prefer, It's all the same to me
Whatever decision you make, it has no bearing on my circumstance.
You worship the future like it's some kind of saint
You have an excessive regard for the future as if it were a deity.
But it's just like the past with a new coat of paint
Despite the changes made, the future is essentially the same as the past.
Try to save a world that doesn't want to be saved
Attempting to rescue an uninterested world is a fruitless endeavor.
Stolen like a child, the one you think is misbehaved
Similar to a naughty child, the world has been robbed of its innocence and purity.
You can say what you want or say what you see
You have the freedom to express yourself in any manner you desire.
You can say nothing, its all the same to me
If you choose not to speak, it has no effect on my situation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL J. COOMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind