Throwing Muses is known for performing music with shifting tempos, creative chord progressions, unorthodox song structures, and surreal lyrics. The group was set apart from other contemporary acts by Hersh's stark, candid writing style; Donelly's pop stylings and vocal harmonies; and David Narcizo's unusual drumming techniques eschewing use of cymbals. Hallucinatory, febrile songs by Hersh occasionally touched on the subject of mental illness, more often drawing portraits of characters from daily life or addressing relationships.
Donelly left the band in 1991 and was a member of The Breeders and Belly, before starting to perform solo. She also contributed vocals to the Throwing Muses self-titled album in 2003. Hersh has also worked solo, and fronts the power trio 50 Foot Wave (which also includes Muses bassist Bernard Georges). Narcizo works in graphic design and has a musical project Lakuna.
In March 2003, Throwing Muses came back with their eighth album, Throwing Muses, which also saw the return of Tanya Donelly who provided backing vocals on the album. A greatest hits compilation titled Anthology was released in 2011. The band's ninth album, Purgatory / Paradise was released on October 29, 2013 in the UK and November 11 in the US. In early 2014, the band toured a few U.S. cities, with Donelly opening for the East Coast dates.
Quick
Throwing Muses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you know it's true
hold back you been saved
hold your breath you been saved
hold your tongue you been saved
maintain your ground
you take a shower when you can't
take anymore
nostalgic flowers wound their way
around your core
'til you peer into the moment
the danger clear and present
can't keep your eyes shut anymore
you're naked on the floor
how did you know him?
the trouble i was in
hold back we're not safe
hold your breath we're not safe
hold you're tongue we're not safe
maintain your ground
can't make your mind up anymore
you're naked on the floor
The song "Quick" by Throwing Muses is a deep and introspective piece that delves into themes of danger and the consequences of our actions. The lyrics begin by questioning who the subject has hurt, cutting them down to the quick, and prompting them to hold back, hold their breath, and hold their tongue. These actions, the subject is told, have saved them. They are implored to maintain their ground and not make any sudden moves that could endanger themselves or others.
The song then shifts gears and takes on a more stream-of-consciousness style. The subject is described as taking a shower to escape from their troubles, but the nostalgic flowers (perhaps a metaphor for past memories) wind their way around them until they are forced to confront the present moment and the danger that it brings. The subject is urged to keep their eyes open and face the truth, even if it is uncomfortable. By the end of the song, the subject is left naked and vulnerable, unable to make up their mind and feeling exposed on the floor.
Overall, "Quick" is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the complexities of human emotion and experience. Its ambiguous lyrics leave room for interpretation, but its message is clear: we must face up to our actions, even if that means stripping ourselves bare and facing the consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
who did you cut down to the quick?
Who did you hurt deeply or offend?
you know it's true
You are aware of the truth.
hold back you been saved
Restrain yourself to avoid harm.
hold your breath you been saved
Take a deep breath and calm down to avoid danger.
hold your tongue you been saved
Keep quiet to avoid getting hurt or in trouble.
maintain your ground
Don't give up or compromise.
smooth
Appearing calm and collected on the surface.
you take a shower when you can't
take anymore
You use personal care to relieve stress.
nostalgic flowers wound their way
around your core
Memories are deeply ingrained in you.
'til you peer into the moment
the danger clear and present
Until you fully understand the danger, you cannot act.
can't keep your eyes shut anymore
You can't ignore the situation any longer.
you're naked on the floor
You feel exposed and vulnerable.
how did you know him?
What was your relationship with him?
the trouble i was in
I was facing a difficult situation.
hold back we're not safe
Restraint is necessary because we are not safe.
hold your breath we're not safe
Be on guard because we are not safe.
hold you're tongue we're not safe
Silence is golden because we are not safe.
can't make your mind up anymore
You are indecisive.
you're naked on the floor
You feel exposed and vulnerable.
Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.