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 Don't Mean Nothing
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It don't mean nothing to me.
It don't mean nothing to me now.
It don't mean nothing to me.
It don't mean nothing to me.
It don't mean nothing to me now.
It don't mean nothing to me.
It don't mean nothing to me.
The lyrics of Quasi's song "It Don't Mean Nothing" speak to a sense of apathy and emotional detachment. The repetition of the phrase "it don't mean nothing to me" underscores a feeling of numbness towards events that may have previously held meaning or significance. The lack of elaboration or context surrounding this detachment leaves the listener to draw their own conclusions about what may have led the singer to this state of mind. This ambiguity could be interpreted as a reflection of the way emotional detachment can be a defense mechanism in response to trauma or pain.
Another possible interpretation of the lyrics is the way they highlight the fleeting nature of emotions and experiences. The repetition of the phrase "now" at the end of each line could indicate a sense that whatever may have previously held significance has lost its meaning or impact in the present moment. This could be a commentary on the way we tend to become easily desensitized to stimuli or events that may have once elicited a strong reaction from us.
Overall, the lyrics to "It Don't Mean Nothing" seem to express a sense of ennui or disillusionment that may resonate with listeners who have experienced emotional numbness or detachment. The open-endedness of the lyrics leaves room for diverse interpretations about what may have led the singer to this state of mind.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't mean nothing to me.
All of this is meaningless and irrelevant to me. It holds no value or significance.
It don't mean nothing to me.
No matter how you try to explain it or justify it to me, it will not make a difference. I cannot be moved or swayed.
It don't mean nothing to me now.
At one point, it may have had some sort of importance to me, but that is no longer the case. It has lost all impact and relevance.
It don't mean nothing to me.
Even if everyone else finds value or significance in it, that does not change how I feel. I remain unaffected and unmoved.
It don't mean nothing to me.
No matter how much others may try to convince me otherwise or pressure me to care, it is all in vain. I cannot be made to feel something that is not authentic.
It don't mean nothing to me now.
At some point, I may have been invested in this or cared about it, but that time has passed. It is now a distant memory with no bearing on my current thoughts or emotions.
It don't mean nothing to me.
Nothing can make me care about this or give it significance. It has no power over me.
It don't mean nothing to me.
Even if it once had a profound impact on my life, it is now irrelevant and insignificant. It cannot move me or stir any emotions within me.
It don't mean nothing to me now.
In its current state, it holds no meaning or purpose for me. It is simply another empty, meaningless concept.
Contributed by Charlie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
toobian2
All the Same 0:00
The Golden Egg 4:08
The Skeleton 9:19
The Star You Left Behind 11:02
Empty Words 15:37
Birds 19:26
A Fable with No Moral 21:57
Under a Cloud 29:30
Me and My Head 32:00
Two by Two 35:30
It Don't Mean Nothing 37:35
Bon Voyage 39:28
Smile 43:23
Let's Just Go 46:50
toobian2
All the Same 0:00
The Golden Egg 4:08
The Skeleton 9:19
The Star You Left Behind 11:02
Empty Words 15:37
Birds 19:26
A Fable with No Moral 21:57
Under a Cloud 29:30
Me and My Head 32:00
Two by Two 35:30
It Don't Mean Nothing 37:35
Bon Voyage 39:28
Smile 43:23
Let's Just Go 46:50
Matt Sharp
What a BEAUTIFUL album, I am so grateful to have heard this
Adolf Noise
checked out featuring birds? bit faster but even more to the point! 12/10 rating!,,
牧山和久
I have this CD, the music of this CD is always flowing in my car. I love you quasi.
Shutterbug
How more folks don't know about this band is beyond me.
Mark Aziz
I can't believe I didn't know this album existed for two years! I love Quasi's sound; reminds me of my best years of my life.
Daniel Tittyfish
God these are such great albums
Dale Karvonen
wow the 2nd track The Golden Egg such a gem! first time hearing this band amazing ♥♥♥
Jason Hernandez
Great beautiful album brings me back to my school days. I found about Quasi back in '98 or so when I was listening to my local college radio station KSPC, out of Clairmont, CA (southern), while commuting to school. I was immediately taken by Sam and Janet's harmonies, the keyboards, the drums and lyrics, wonderful. Thank you for posting along with all the cool photos. This made my Friday! I'm going to pick up the vinyl at my local record store, Port-o-Sound.
PauPaJawn
God I wish this was on Spotify