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 Is Raining
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is nothing you can do
It doesn't only rain on you
But you're acting all upset like you're the only one who is wet.
It's raining, It's raining.
Its raining on me too
You moan and you cry
But it won't effect the sky.
You're not a saint
You're not a savior
Or a devil
Its agreed
Oh lucky you oh lucky me
We have more of those than we need.
And when you give me gifts and money
I'm a swine before the pearl
It only serves to remind me that we are all alone in this world.
It's raining, It's raining,
And I can't tell you when the storm is gonna end
So go ahead and cry but that won't keep you dry.
The song "It's Raining" by Quasi is a melancholic piece about the inevitability of life's hardships. The opening lyrics immediately set the tone for the song, as they repeat the phrase "It's raining" over and over again. This sets up the central metaphor of the song - the rain representing the troubles that we all face in life. The lyrics then go on to point out that these troubles are not unique to the individual experiencing them. "It doesn't only rain on you" suggests that everyone faces hardship, and that it is not the fault of any one person. The following line, "But you're acting all upset like you're the only one who is wet", reinforces this idea and calls out those who wallow in self-pity. The song's message here is clear- yes, it is raining, and yes, it is tough, but we are all in this together.
The song then shifts to focus on the listener, telling them "You're not a saint / You're not a savior / Or a devil / Its agreed." This reinforces the idea that we are all flawed, and that we should not place our hopes and dreams on the shoulders of others. The next lines, "We have more of those than we need", suggests that the world is crowded with people trying to be something they're not, and that it's time to embrace our human imperfections. The final verse of the song speaks to the futility of material goods as a source of comfort. The phrase "I'm a swine before the pearl" suggests that we are all pigs clamoring for something shiny and new, even though it won't ultimately make us any happier. The song's closing words, "So go ahead and cry but that won't keep you dry", suggest that while it's okay to feel sad and overwhelmed at times, it won't change the fact that life is hard. We must face the rain head-on and keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
It's raining, It's raining.
It is currently raining outside.
There is nothing you can do
You cannot control the weather.
It doesn't only rain on you
Everyone experiences the rain, not just you.
But you're acting all upset like you're the only one who is wet.
You are overreacting and behaving as if you are the only one affected by the rain.
There is nothing we can do
Neither of us can control or stop the rain.
Its raining on me too
I am also getting wet from the rain like you are.
You moan and you cry
You complain and whine about the rain.
But it won't effect the sky.
Your crying will not stop the rain.
You're not a saint
You are not a perfect person.
You're not a savior
You cannot save everyone or everything.
Or a devil
You are not purely evil either.
Its agreed
It is understood and acknowledged.
Oh lucky you oh lucky me
We both have been fortunate in certain aspects of our lives.
We have more of those than we need.
We have more blessings and positives than we realize and sometimes take for granted.
And when you give me gifts and money
When you offer me material possessions and monetary rewards,
I'm a swine before the pearl
I am unappreciative and undeserving of these gifts.
It only serves to remind me that we are all alone in this world.
These gifts do not change the fact that we are ultimately alone in our own existence.
And I can't tell you when the storm is gonna end
I do not know when the rain will stop.
So go ahead and cry but that won't keep you dry.
Crying about the rain will not prevent you from getting wet.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vanir Traditionalist
Saw Quasi open for Stereolab (early 00's, Irving Plaza, NYC). The opener blew the headliner off the stage. Janet Weiss is a killer drummer.
EpicShibe XD
Looking at comments on Quasi's songs, which are all nearly from four to eight years ago, reminds me of simpler times. Plus, you've got the song itself playing in the background, which creates a seriously nostalgic setting.
It's quite a feeling.
Loki
I always really liked this song. I don't know why, it's not particularly cheerful but it's not depressing either. It's kind of neither, like life sucks, but it sucks for everyone, so that makes it okay.
B Layne
I've always loved this song.
Ryan
God I couldn't remember this song, and now I do. Great band
Andres Amoleff
I live in Osorno Chile and now it´s raining here...and it is a great song...and The Sword of god is absolutely ROCK!!!!!
Mink Valley
Love this song (and the rain!). Here's to all of us rainforest creatures in the Pacific Northwest <3
Being in the World
I just spent three hours trying to find this song. I couldn't remember who it was by. For some reason I thought the song was from Mates of States. Glad I finally found it.
Aplacetobe
thanks a lot of time i'm searching for this song complete
Ryakashi
These guys remind me of The Pillows a lot.