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.
Been There All the Time
Dinosaur Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I run and you'll be there?
Wish that I could run and hide
Juggling messages inside
Stalling, trying to buy more time
Can I be a part of you?
How to get there, what to do?
Of all the ways I could have tried
Can I be there all the time?
Is it all me?
Is it all me?
Is it all me?
Is it all me?
Can I feel another way?
Can I bring out to stay?
Can you capture what I've done?
Play it back so I don't run
Now I'm walking on the sun (?)
Is it all me?
Is it all me?
Is it all me?
Is it all me?
It's not mine
Take me fine
With a smile
Been there all the time
Is it all me?
Is it all me?
Is it all me?
Is it all me?
The lyrics of Dinosaur Jr.'s "Been There All The Time" tackle questions of vulnerability and trust in a relationship. The singer seems to be struggling with whether they can fix a problem while still holding on to care and affection, and whether they can trust their partner enough to be open with them. They express a desire to "run and hide" from these feelings but recognize they can't keep "juggling messages inside" forever. The line "Stalling, trying to buy more time" suggests that they are putting off dealing with the situation directly, possibly out of fear of the potential consequences.
The singer then shifts toward a more proactive stance, wanting to know how to become part of their partner's life and hoping to always be there for them. They acknowledge that there are many ways they could try to achieve this, but don't seem to have a clear plan. The repeated question "Is it all me?" reflects a sense of self-doubt and insecurity. The song ends with a note of acceptance and peace, recognizing that the issue they were struggling with was not entirely their fault but just part of the situation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Been There All The Time" offer a nuanced and introspective exploration of the challenges of emotional intimacy and trust in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I fix it and still care?
I wonder if I can repair the damage and still remain invested in this relationship.
Can I run and you'll be there?
If I try to escape from my problems, will you continue to support me?
Wish that I could run and hide
I wish I could avoid confronting my issues.
Juggling messages inside
I'm struggling to sort through my mixed feelings and thoughts.
Stalling, trying to buy more time
I'm delaying taking action and hoping to put off dealing with this situation for longer.
Can I be a part of you?
I want to know if I can be included in your life.
How to get there, what to do?
I'm uncertain about how to proceed in order to become closer to you.
Can I get there from inside?
I'm wondering if I can become closer to you by changing something within myself.
Of all the ways I could have tried
I've considered many options for becoming closer to you.
Can I be there all the time?
I want to be with you constantly and not just occasionally.
Is it all me?
I'm questioning whether I'm the main cause of the issues in this relationship.
Is it all me?
I'm still not sure if I'm to blame for what's going wrong.
Is it all me?
I can't seem to shake the feeling that I'm responsible for our problems.
Is it all me?
I continue to wonder if I'm the only one at fault and if there's anything I can do to fix things.
Can I feel another way?
I'm questioning whether I can change my feelings towards this situation.
Can I bring out to stay?
I hope that I will be able to create a positive and lasting change in our relationship.
Can you capture what I've done?
I'm curious if you will notice any of the efforts I'm making to improve things.
Play it back so I don't run
I hope that by showing me my progress, you'll motivate me to continue with my efforts rather than trying to avoid the situation altogether.
Now I'm walking on the sun (?)
I feel like I'm on top of the world and that things are going well.
It's not mine
I'm acknowledging that some of the issues are not completely within my control.
Take me fine
I'm ready and willing to accept whatever consequences may come from this situation.
With a smile
I'm doing my best to remain positive and optimistic despite the challenges we're facing.
Been there all the time
I realise now that my support has been there for you all along.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOSEPH DONALD MASCIS JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jason Beatty
It feels like the world is a little better with Dinosaur Jr. back together.
JayShepSound Lee Jeffords Indie A&R mojostyles1
@Chris E. as the story goes Jay, kicked Lou out of the band, before a Major Record deal, 89'. Lou over 20 years, now, said I'm the guy who writes two songs on the records. And that's a time-honored, very long tradition." Respect. Great ? Salute🤘:)
JayShepSound Lee Jeffords Indie A&R mojostyles1
100%! 🤘🔥🧐🎶✌
Scruffy P
Jay is one of those guys that gets cooler as they get older.
fabricio
@James France he is Hot..not Cool....
Jake Jones
@James France Everybody was.
James France
Nope. Way cooler in '91.
Cody
All three really
Jean baptiste Geneau
So true 😄
Richard Norton
The consistency since this single came out is to be marveled. I love how J seems more healthy and maybe only a couple years older these days. Same for Lou. The new album rocks, and the livestreamed covid shows are fucking phenomenal. I can't wait to see them live in person again. Here's to another 35.