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.
On The Brink
Dinosaur Jr. Lyrics
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You could use it, babe If ever I could let you go
Is that hard to take
It's not often
You soften up enough to smile I'm damaged,
I'm sandwiched In here for a while
Tomorrow it's the last event
Forget what you thought she meant
Thank her, wish her well I'm damaged,
I'm sandwiched
In the tree of light
It's no wonder I'm under
And no strength to fight If ever there had been a time
Would you let me know ?
Is there enough of you around
Could you let some go ?
All the love won't deny you
You're above all you cry to
Gave it all I could think of
Wish you'd get what you're on the brink of
All the love won't deny you
You're above all you cry to
Gave it all I could think of
Wish you'd get what you're on the brink of
All the love
The song "On the Brink" by Dinosaur Jr. is a deeply emotional piece that speaks to the pain and confusion of a relationship that has gone sour. The lyrics are full of regret and longing, as the singer reflects on his own shortcomings and the difficulties of letting go of someone he still cares for deeply.
The opening lines, "I know I've been what's in your mind / You could use it, babe / If ever I could let you go / Is that hard to take," suggest that the singer is aware of his partner's inner thoughts and desires, but is struggling to give her the space she needs. He acknowledges that it is difficult to let go, and that he is damaged and "sandwiched" between his own feelings and the realities of the situation.
As the song continues, the singer reflects on the upcoming end of the relationship, noting that "Tomorrow it's the last event / That you'll be a man / Forget what you thought she meant / Thank her, wish her well." Despite his pain and sadness, he recognizes that it is time to let go and wishes his partner the best.
In the chorus, the singer declares his love and support for his partner, singing "All the love won't deny you / You're above all you cry to / Gave it all I could think of / Wish you'd get what you're on the brink of." Though the relationship may be over, he still wants the best for her and hopes that she will find happiness and fulfillment.
Overall, "On the Brink" is a poignant and emotional song that captures the complexities and difficulties of relationships. The singer's honest and vulnerable portrayal of his own struggles is sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I've been what's in your mind
I'm aware that I occupy your thoughts
You could use it, babe If ever I could let you go
If only I could detach myself from you, you might benefit from the experience
Is that hard to take
Do you find this difficult to contemplate?
It's not often You soften up enough to smile I'm damaged,
Your expression rarely indicates a degree of comfortability, I am quite wounded by this fact
I'm sandwiched In here for a while
I am trapped in this situation for an indefinite duration
Tomorrow it's the last event
The final occurrence shall take place tomorrow
That you'll be a man
When tomorrow arrives, you must behave as an adult
Forget what you thought she meant
Whatever assumptions you made were incorrect, so disregard them
Thank her, wish her well I'm damaged,
Show your gratitude and wish her success, but I am still deeply affected by the situation
I'm sandwiched
The aforementioned feeling of being trapped still pertains
In the tree of light It's no wonder I'm under And no strength to fight
Considering the heightened environment, it's unsurprising that I feel overwhelmed and powerless
If ever there had been a time Would you let me know ?
Have I missed an opportunity for communication, kindly inform me?
Is there enough of you around Could you let some go ?
Is it possible to spare me some of your attention?
All the love won't deny you You're above all you cry to
Regardless of anything else, you'll always be worthy of love and support
Gave it all I could think of Wish you'd get what you're on the brink of
I've exhausted all possible measures to help you succeed, I hope you achieve the desirable outcome
All the love won't deny you You're above all you cry to
Once again reiterating one's innate value and worthiness of love and care
Gave it all I could think of Wish you'd get what you're on the brink of
Repeated in order to emphasize the sentiment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOSEPH DONALD MASCIS JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind