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.
It's Hard to Turn Me On
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's hard to turn me on
You turn me on
And it's hard to turn me on
Mornings I tell you what I dreamed
Before we're swallowed by the work machine,
And spit out in the evening drained half dry.
You turn me on
And it's hard to turn me on.
We traveled many miles to no guarantee
Everything's a joke to you; it's not that way to me.
And walt disney cannot make me happy,
Cannot make me go along
But you turn me on
And it's hard to turn me on.
The song "You Turn Me On" by Quasi is an expression of the singer's love for their partner. The repeated phrase "You turn me on" is not just a sexual reference, but also speaks to the emotional and intellectual stimulation the singer derives from their relationship. The verses describe mundane routines and experiences that make the singer feel drained and unfulfilled, such as being swallowed by the work machine or traveling without guarantee. However, their partner is the exception to this exhaustion, and they are able to invigorate and inspire them, hence why it is hard to turn them on.
The chorus takes on different meanings as it is repeated. The first time, "You turn me on" is a declaration of love, gratitude, and admiration. The second time, it is repeated with a slightly different inflection, conveying a sense of frustration and difficulty. Despite their deep connection, the relationship is not always easy, and the partner's stimulating effect can be overwhelming for the singer.
The reference to Walt Disney adds an interesting layer to the song. Disney is a symbol of manufactured happiness and escapism. The singer implies that their love and relationship are more valuable and meaningful than any fantasy concocted by Disney or similar entities. The song suggests that true happiness and fulfillment can only come from genuine human connections.
Line by Line Meaning
You turn me on
I feel an intense attraction towards you
And it's hard to turn me on
It's difficult for anyone else to create the same level of attraction
Mornings I tell you what I dreamed
I share my dreams with you in the morning
Before we're swallowed by the work machine
Before we have to focus on our jobs and lose our sense of self
And spit out in the evening drained half dry.
Before we come home feeling exhausted and unfulfilled
And that is why
This is the reason why
We traveled many miles to no guarantee
We went on a journey together with no guarantees of success
Everything's a joke to you; it's not that way to me.
You don't take anything seriously, but I do
And walt disney cannot make me happy,
Even the happiest place on earth cannot make me happy
Cannot make me go along
I cannot just go along with something that doesn't make me happy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL J. COOMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind