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.
Please Do
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And yet how well your garden grows -
You reap the fruits another sows:
I guess that works out well for you.
Suffering has served you well -
It's common but it somehow sells
So sing your little songs of hell and sell.
Hollow hopes and empty dreams
That's all there is to life, it seems,
unless you prove me wrong - please do!
The lyrics of Quasi's song "Please Do" provide a commentary on the nature of success and happiness. The song starts with the singer accusing someone of never experiencing hardship or struggle, but somehow still achieving success, exemplified through the metaphor of their garden growing well. This idea is further developed through the line "you reap the fruits another sows," implying that the individual has benefited from the work of others without putting in similar effort themselves.
The chorus "suffering has served you well" is a cynical commentary on the entertainment industry and the commercial success that can come from exploiting individual's pain and struggles. The singer's plea for the individual to "prove me wrong" suggests a desire for some sort of redemption or hope in a world that often seems bleak and empty.
Line by Line Meaning
You never cried, you never froze
You never showed any emotions of sadness or fear.
And yet how well your garden grows -
Despite not showing any emotions, you have been successful in growing and achieving things.
You reap the fruits another sows:
You are benefiting from the efforts and hard work of others.
I guess that works out well for you.
It seems like this situation is advantageous for you.
Suffering has served you well -
You have learned from your experiences of pain and hardship.
It's common but it somehow sells
Suffering and struggles are a common theme but it is interesting to others.
So sing your little songs of hell and sell.
Express your pain and difficulties through music or art and make a profit from it.
Hollow hopes and empty dreams
Aspirations that are unrealistic and unfulfilling.
And blind pursuit of worthless schemes -
Chasing after worthless ideas without proper thought or judgement.
That's all there is to life, it seems,
The pursuit of false goals is all life appears to be.
unless you prove me wrong - please do!
Please demonstrate that life is more than just this and bring hope.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL J. COOMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind