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.
Lightning Bulb
Dinosaur Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm happy left behind
Stare in disbelief
Truth could strike me blind
The truth is no one knows
How the garden grows
Be gone mistaken weeds
They're something we don't need
you know what they would say
They say it all day long
Someone should strike them dead
Can't we all get along
I'm blooming on the vine
Open like your mind
we are all
Outlawed under the law
Try to find a way
Well I don't look the part
So I don't play the role
Wave the saviors net
Complain about my soul
I've seen a wall of death
The poison on my breath
Blooming on the vine
Open like your mind
we are all
Outlawed under the law
Try to find a way
The lyrics of Dinosaur Jr.'s song "Lightning Bulb" are cryptic and metaphorical. The opening lines, "You know I will not leave / I'm happy left behind," suggest a sense of comfort in being forgotten or overlooked. The singer is willing to stay in the background and observe the world around them. This is further emphasized in the line "Stare in disbelief / Truth could strike me blind." This could either mean that the singer is so firmly entrenched in their own beliefs that they are skeptical of anything that contradicts them or they are so disillusioned with the world that any truth they encounter would be blindingly harsh.
The following lines, "The truth is no one knows / How the garden grows / Be gone mistaken weeds / They're something we don't need," form a poetic commentary on the uncertain origins and nature of life. The singer seems to be inviting the listener to question established beliefs and to cast away any assumptions that may be holding them back.
Later in the song, the lyrics, "I'm blooming on the vine / Open like your mind," suggest a newfound sense of growth and openness in the singer. The lines, "Wave the saviors net / Complain about my soul / I've seen a wall of death / The poison on my breath," convey a sense of spiritual crisis, and possibly hypocrisy or self-doubt. The final lines, "We are all outlawed under the law / Try to find a way," could be interpreted as a call to action or a warning about societies that enforce oppressive laws.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I will not leave
I am resilient and steadfast; I won't abandon my beliefs or values.
I'm happy left behind
I find contentment in solitude and independence from others.
Stare in disbelief
People often doubt or question me for being unconventional or different from the norm.
Truth could strike me blind
If one does not see the truth, they are blind to reality and cannot see the bigger picture.
The truth is no one knows
No one can truly understand the mysteries or secrets of life and the universe.
How the garden grows
The way in which life and the world progresses is unpredictable and constantly changing.
Be gone mistaken weeds
Eliminate negative influences, people or thoughts from your life that hinder your growth or potential.
They're something we don't need
Negative or harmful influences in life are unnecessary and can hold us back from success or happiness.
You know what they would say
Critics or naysayers often have a predetermined notion of what one's actions or decisions will result in.
They say it all day long
Skeptics or critics constantly voice their negative opinions or outlooks.
Someone should strike them dead
The person speaking is frustrated with the negativity of others and wishes they would go away.
Can't we all get along
The artist wishes for people to resolve their differences and live in harmony.
I'm blooming on the vine
The singer is flourishing and thriving in their own unique way.
Open like your mind
The singer encourages others to be open and receptive to new ideas or perspectives.
We are all outlawed under the law
Everyone is a criminal in some way, whether they realize it or not, as society imposes rules and expectations on individuals.
Try to find a way
Despite the obstacles and challenges one may face, it is important to keep searching for a solution or path forward.
Well I don't look the part
The artist acknowledges that they do not fit the traditional mold or stereotype of what is expected of them.
So I don't play the role
Because the singer does not fit societal expectations, they choose not to conform or follow the crowd.
Wave the saviors net
People often cling to the false hope or security offered by a supposed savior or authority figure in their life.
Complain about my soul
People may criticize or judge the artist for their beliefs or values which may be different from those of society.
I've seen a wall of death
The artist has experienced struggles and challenges that have brought them close to death, either literally or metaphorically.
The poison on my breath
The artist carries with them the pain and scars of their struggles, but it serves as a reminder of their strength and resilience.
We are all outlawed under the law
Despite the rules and expectations of society, everyone has their own unique experiences and struggles that put them at odds with conventional norms at some point.
Try to find a way
It is important to continue pushing forward and searching for solutions, even in the face of adversity or opposition from society.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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