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.
I Never Want...
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Atmospheric gasses cannot remain with dirt
We purchase pleasure, and pay for it with hurt
And we rarely get our money's worth
See how we grasp at the stars ?
They're so far away
You can't even see what's right in front of you
Flesh wounds heal
But you're not my friend
I never want to see you again...
I never want to see you again...
The lyrics of Quasi’s song, “I Never Want…” are filled with vivid imagery and raw emotions. The opening lines, “I know the ether can never claim the earth, Atmospheric gasses cannot remain with dirt” suggest that the ethereal and physical world cannot overlap or coexist. This could represent the singer’s attempt to separate themselves from their pain, and the inability to fully let go of it.
The next line, “We purchase pleasure, and pay for it with hurt, And we rarely get our money's worth” portrays the concept of investment in relationships and the trade of joy and sorrow. This could be indicative of the singer’s experiences of love and heartbreak, which have left them jaded and disillusioned with the idea of meaningful relationships.
The chorus, “See how we grasp at the stars, They're so far away, You can't even see what's right in front of you, Flesh wounds heal, Broken bones mend, But you're not my friend,” speaks to the idea of chasing dreams and the pursuit of something that may not even be attainable while neglecting important relationships in the process. The final lines, “I never want to see you again…” are a strong declaration of the singer’s desire to let go of someone who has caused them immense pain.
Overall, the lyrics of “I Never Want…” are a powerful reflection of the complexities of human relationships and the pain that can come with them.
Line by Line Meaning
I know the ether can never claim the earth
I understand that the intangible, unseen elements cannot lay any physical claim on the tangible earth
Atmospheric gasses cannot remain with dirt
The gases surrounding us cannot mix with the actual substance of the earth
We purchase pleasure, and pay for it with hurt
We often buy things or experiences that seem pleasurable, but in the end, they cause pain or negativity
And we rarely get our money's worth
Most of the time, the things we spend our money on don't provide the value or satisfaction we expect
See how we grasp at the stars ?
Notice how we desire and reach for things that are beyond our reach, like the stars in the sky
They're so far away
The things we desire often seem distant or unattainable
You can't even see what's right in front of you
We often overlook or fail to appreciate the things that are right in front of us
Flesh wounds heal
Physical injuries to our skin or flesh have the ability to heal over time
Broken bones mend
Even broken bones can be fixed with time and medical treatment
But you're not my friend
I have no personal connection or affection towards you
I never want to see you again...
I have no desire to interact with you or be a part of your life in any way
I never want to see you again...
My sentiment towards you is so strong that I restate my disinterest in any future encounters
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL J. COOMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Konundrum
Good pic of Sam and Janet!
Hunter Carell
You had sec with other dudes to feel better but didn’t think about my feelings ever
Simon Richards
very very very epic !!!!! 2nd!!11!!!11
Hunter Carell
Your a joke
Hunter Carell
In my bed