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.
I Don't Wanna Go There
Dinosaur Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna go there anymore
I don't wanna go there
I don't wanna go there anymore
Cause I'm gone, 'cause I'm gone
You're the one who told me
Would you come and hold me
Would you come and show me right away
Cause I'm gone, 'cause I'm gone
And the world it spins around you, I believe it
And the world it really needs you, now I see it
And the world it spins around you, I believe it
And the world it really needs you, now I see it
I don't wanna waste it
I don't wanna waste it anymore
Can you help me face
Help me 'fore I run right for the door
And I'm gone, I'm gone
Should I walk alone
Should I take it home, should I tell
It's not gonna go
It's not gonna go well
Cause I'm gone, 'cause I'm gone
Cause I'm gone, 'cause I'm gone
And the world it spins around you, I believe it
And the world it really needs you, now I see it
And the world it spins around you, I believe it
And the world it really needs you, now I see it
The lyrics of Dinosaur Jr.'s song, "I Don't Wanna Go There," speak to a sense of uncertainty and anxiety about a relationship. The repeated refrain of "I don't wanna go there anymore" suggests a desire to avoid going deeper into a situation where emotions are complex and difficult to navigate. The lyrics convey a sense of being lost and needing guidance, as evidenced by lines such as "You're the one who told me what to say" and "Can you help me face, Help me 'fore I run right for the door."
The use of repetition and simple phrasing in the song's lyrics creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the singer is grappling with overwhelming emotions and needs to express them in a clear and direct way. The repeated lines about the world spinning around the object of the singer's affection suggest a sense of awe and reverence, as well as a feeling of being lost or disoriented without that person.
Overall, "I Don't Wanna Go There" is a song that captures the intensity of complicated emotions and relationships, and speaks to the universal feeling of wanting to find one's way in turbulent times.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna go there
I don't want to revisit that place or experience
I don't wanna go there anymore
I don't want to return to that place or experience again
Cause I'm gone, 'cause I'm gone
I am no longer present mentally or emotionally
You're the one who told me
You are the one responsible for instructing me
You're the one who told me what to say
You provided me with the words to speak
Would you come and hold me
Can you offer me emotional support?
Would you come and show me right away
Can you demonstrate for me immediately?
And the world it spins around you, I believe it
You are the center of the universe for me
And the world it really needs you, now I see it
It is obvious to me that the world cannot function without you
I don't wanna waste it
I want to make the most of the opportunity
I don't wanna waste it anymore
I want to utilize the opportunity productively
Can you help me face
Can you assist me in confronting
Help me 'fore I run right for the door
Help me before I escape
Should I walk alone
Should I proceed without assistance
Should I take it home, should I tell
Should I make it personal or communicate to someone else
It's not gonna go
It will not end well
It's not gonna go well
It will not culminate positively
Cause I'm gone, 'cause I'm gone
I have disconnected completely
And the world it spins around you, I believe it
You are still the center of the universe for me
And the world it really needs you, now I see it
It remains clear to me that the world cannot operate without you
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOSEPH DONALD MASCIS JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
shneizah
He may not have wanted to go there, but goddammit he went there, blew right by, kept on going, and never looked back.
One of the greatest guitarists ever. Criminally overlooked due to not being "popular enough".
My dude. Preach on.
swanky beebop
There are things in this world I will never understand, but we've been over this before.
Bertie R
This song is absolutely incredible. One of my fave Dino songs, when it comes to guitar shredding, dinosaur jr should be noted as one of the best in the world
Time Software
What a Masterpiece - what a solo... my god...
Johnny Everest
*G
oldmanfromyork
I've been listening to alternative for 15 years and never heard anything like this. that solo is crazy.
I'm blown away.
Croissant
This whole album is amazing! The tone of the guitar, the solos, the lyrics...
Wes Weldon
Dino JR has been shredding for decades bub. Go get every album
Brad Shilliday
One of my fav albums ever.
chuck Chuck
You still listening? Bet you forgot?