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.
The Poisoned Well
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That may be true
But better said, you only hurt the one who loves you
We went through hell
Just to get to hell
Die of thirst of drink up form the poisoned well
At least I never lied
I'm not trying to document my suicide
You won't live long
But you may write the perfect song
Please excuse those who choose to not play along
The first verse of Quasi's song "The Poisoned Well" begins with the old adage "you only hurt the one you love," but the lyrics suggest a more realistic version: "you only hurt the one who loves you." This flips the idea that love and pain are tied inseparably on its head, showing that the pain is more one-sided in many instances. The following lines introduce the idea that the singers have gone through a lot of difficulty to arrive at their current state of being: "we went through hell just to get to hell." The second stanza shifts the lyrical focus to the idea of drinking from a poisoned well, which can be symbolic of many types of poisoned relationships or poison-filled lives. The chorus emphasizes this point, highlighting the conundrum of trying to survive in the midst of so much chaos and pain.
The third stanza of "The Poisoned Well" reflects on the singer's state of mind and how they have struggled to keep things inside. However, they haven't been lying about how they feel, and they aren't trying to "document" their suicide through their music, despite the weighty, melancholy tone of the song. The final stanza introduces an almost hopeful idea that despite everything, "you may write the perfect song." However, the singers apologize to those who can't bring themselves to participate in their pain, who can't quite "play along" with all the difficulties of life.
Line by Line Meaning
You only hurt the one you love
The saying holds true, but it should be noted that it's the one who loves you that you end up hurting
We went through hell
Our journey was difficult and unpleasant
Just to get to hell
Despite our struggles, we ultimately only ended up in a worse situation
Die of thirst of drink up form the poisoned well
Our options are limited to either dying of thirst or risking the poisoned water from the well
I kept the things inside
I chose not to express my feelings or emotions
At least I never lied
I never deceived or misled anyone
I'm not trying to document my suicide
I don't want my actions to lead to self-destruction or harm myself
You won't live long
Your existence is fleeting and impermanent
But you may write the perfect song
You have the potential to create something meaningful and significant
Please excuse those who choose to not play along
For those who don't want to participate or engage, we shouldn't hold any grudges or ill will towards them
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL J. COOMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dean Crowe
I'm a massive Elliott smith fan and have just heard this song for the first time thanks to someone mentioning Quasi on an Elliott thread. I am super happy for this, what a great band! Reminds me a lot of Elliotts music and to an extent Pedro the lion.
Ashly Hampton
@Joe David Mansfield This song and “Mama Tried” I believe were both about Elliott
Joe David Mansfield
Pretty sure this was actually about Elliott
Waffodill
I just heard it now thanks to an Elliott Smith fan sending it to me. I'm not the biggest Elliott Smith fan but I'm a fan tho. I'm digging the lyrics and the music. Reminds me of Ben folds
LemonLord01
Couldn't say it better myself
Sethman
Same.
Free Country
Amazing song. It's been playing in my head for almost 20 years, and I hope it's still playing in 2020.
Matt Sharp
this whole album is beautiful
Nevyn Nowhere
Sam... You did write the perfect song. More than one even. Can't thank you enough. Really miss sharing in the live show experience. But at least I can always listen to the music. Your music succeeded, and affected humans. Hope you know.
Nevyn Nowhere
You did write many perfect songs. This being one. .thank you much