The band was originally called "Dinosaur", but changed its name following the release of its debut album Dinosaur in 1985, after a band called Dinosaurs, featuring ex-members of Country Joe and the Fish and Jefferson Airplane, threatened them with legal action. (They still used the name Dinosaur on their albums until 1987 at the latest, and some copies of You're Living All Over Me still lack the "Jr").
In 1987, Dinosaur Jr. signed to SST Records on the recommendation of Sonic Youth, and with them released what is often considered their best album, You're Living All Over Me. Bug followed the next year, an album which, in the UK, was released by Paul Smith's Blast First Records (home to Sonic Youth, Big Black and Butthole Surfers). During this period Dinosaur Jr. became known for their very loud concerts.
Despite not gaining much commercial success, the band has enjoyed something of a cult following. The success of singles Freak Scene and Just Like Heaven, and recommendations from the likes of Sonic Youth saw them signed by Warner Brothers. The signature Dinosaur Jr. sound is the melodic tunes saturated in layers of guitar noise and punctuated by J Mascis' elaborate, yet laconic guitar solos. They were a major influence on the up-and-coming band Nirvana.
Tensions ran high between Mascis and Barlow, and in 1989 Barlow was kicked out of the band. As a result, Barlow continued to work with his own band, Sebadoh. The two famously fell out on stage with Mascis attacking Barlow. Dinosaur Jr. subsequently became little more than a pseudonym for Mascis. He switched labels to Blanco y Negro in the UK, Warner/Sire in the US, with Green Mind (1991) being his first release in that deal.
After Barlow left the band, Van Conner, from the Screaming Trees, played bass for at least one live show in 1990, and Donna Dresch, from Team Dresch played bass at least once live with the band in 1990.
In 1991, Mike Johnson joined Dinosaur Jr as full-time bass player. He was in the band for 1991's Whatever's Cool With Me, 1993's Where You Been, 1994's Without A Sound, and 1997's Hand It Over.
Murph left the band in late 1993, after the Lollapalooza tour.
George Berz took over on drums, and drummed from 1994-1997. He was on Without A Sound, and Hand It Over. He later drummed for J Mascis + the Fog in 2000, 2001, and 2003.
Through the 90s, Mascis sometimes explored quieter and more tranquil shores than Dinosaur Jr. had in the 80s. The band formed part of the 1992 "Rollercoaster" tour. A package tour based on the successful "Lollapalooza". The tour featured The Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine & Blur. On the 1993 release, Where You Been, the opening track ("Out There") had an accompanying video and was aired on MTV for a short time. After 1994's Without a Sound and 1997's Hand It Over, Mascis began to release albums with the band J Mascis and the Fog.
In 2004, J Mascis regained the master rights to the first three Dinosaur Jr. albums from SST, and arranged for their reissue on the Merge label in early 2005. The reissues coincided with an announcement that the original lineup of J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph (Emmett Patrick Murphy) were reuniting for a summer tour. The success of this tour resulted in a new album entitled Beyond (2007) and single Been There All The Time. They are Lou Barlow's first recording with the band since 1989. The original line-up of Dinosaur Jr. has been touring extensively since 2005. They are currently on a world tour.
On February 20, 2009, Pitchfork Media announced that the band had signed with indie label Jagjaguwar, and their first release on the label entitled Farm was released June 23, 2009, to largely positive reviews.
Feel the Pain
Dinosaur Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then I feel nothing
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
Is it up to me?
You won't wait to see
Screwed us both again
About as close as you dare
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
Is it up to me?
You won't wait to see
Screwed us yet again
About as close as you dare
Hey, now take it back
Get off the attack
Trailin' on your scene
Just try and keep it clean
The lyrics of Dinosaur Jr.'s "Feel the Pain" speak to a sense of disconnect and numbness that arises from feeling too much pain. The repeated lines of "I feel the pain of everyone / Then I feel nothing" convey a sense of being overwhelmed by the weight of the world's suffering, to the point where it becomes impossible to feel anything at all. The repetition of this refrain underscores the idea that this state of emotional numbness has become a habitual response to the pain of others.
The second verse speaks to a sense of frustration with someone who has repeatedly let the singer down. The lines "Is it up to me? / You won't wait to see / Screwed us both again / About as close as you dare" suggest a relationship in which one person is constantly made to feel the pain of the other's mistakes, and yet is expected to shoulder the responsibility for fixing things. The "you won't wait to see" line suggests that the person in question is acting hastily and without regard for others.
Overall, "Feel the Pain" speaks to a complex emotional state that many people can likely relate to. It's a feeling of compassion for others that becomes overwhelming, coupled with a sense of powerlessness to alleviate their suffering. The song suggests that this emotional state can lead to a kind of emotional paralysis, in which it becomes difficult to feel anything at all.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel the pain of everyone
I empathize with the struggles and suffering of others
Then I feel nothing
But often, that empathy ultimately leaves me feeling empty and numb
Is it up to me?
I question whether I have any control over the situation
You won't wait to see
Others around me act impulsively, without considering the consequences of their actions
Screwed us both again
Their recklessness has negatively impacted not only myself but them as well
About as close as you dare
They push boundaries but never quite cross them
Hey, now take it back
I implore them to retract their harmful behavior
Get off the attack
I ask them to refrain from being aggressive and confrontational
Trailin' on your scene
I notice how their actions have affected their image and reputation
Just try and keep it clean
I advise them to avoid any further negative behavior and maintain a positive image
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Joseph Mascis Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind