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.
Rude
Dinosaur Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For it's wrong again
Untrue
Oh I'm the only one, they noticed it[?]
Hung over it, seem to
(Be) falling from my mouth before I move
Just smiling there, darling in the end
I wish I didn't care,
'Cause caring is rude
I'm here to curse my own name again
Make it plain again
For you
Do you really think that if I could change,
The world could change, that's not true
'Cause you are young and we don't share a soul
And nothing I could say would gain control
Oh nature rushing me back to the cell
It's better for my health –
If I hold it true[?],
'Cause caring is rude
You are young and we don't share a goal
And nothing I could say would gain control
Oh nature rushing me back to the cell
It's better for my health –
If I hold it true[?],
'Cause caring is rude
Nature is cruel
The lyrics of Dinosaur Jr.'s song Rude depict the struggles of the singer with his own words and actions. The song starts with the singer cursing his own tongue, for it has been wrong and untrue. He goes on to mention that he is the only one who noticed this, and that he wishes he didn't care, for caring is rude. The singer also mentions his desire to curse his own name and make it plain for the listener. While he acknowledges that he needs to change, he doesn't believe that one person can change the world, especially since he and the listener don't share the same soul and goal. The song ends with the belief that it's better for his health to hold the truth, as nature can be cruel.
The theme of the song seems to be the conflict between self-reflection and the desire to be accepted by others. The singer acknowledges his own shortcomings and the need to change, but is also distrustful of others and their ability to understand him. The line "caring is rude" suggests a fear of vulnerability and a belief that showing too much emotion or concern for others' feelings can be viewed as weakness. Ultimately, the singer seems resigned to the fact that he can't change the world, and must focus on his own health and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm here to curse my own tongue again
I have a habit of speaking inaccurately and insincerely
For it's wrong again
My tongue is once again causing problems
Untrue
What I'm saying is not true
Oh I'm the only one, they noticed it[?]
I feel like everyone is aware of my mistakes
Hung over it, seem to
I am fixated on my shortcomings
(Be) falling from my mouth before I move
I say things without thinking first
Not helping any point I'm trying to prove
My words are not making my point clear
Just smiling there, darling in the end
I'm trying to hide my true feelings with a smile
I wish I didn't care,
I want to stop caring
'Cause caring is rude
Because people see caring as a weakness or impolite
I'm here to curse my own name again
I'm criticizing myself again
Make it plain again
To make something clear
For you
In the eyes of someone else
Do you really think that if I could change,
Do you think I have the ability to change everything?
The world could change, that's not true
What I do will not have a significant impact on the world
'Cause you are young and we don't share a soul
Because we are different and have different values
And nothing I could say would gain control
I cannot persuade you to agree with me
Oh nature rushing me back to the cell
I'm being taken back to my natural state - reserved and introverted
It's better for my health –
It's better for me to avoid stressful confrontations
If I hold it true[?],
If I stand by my beliefs
'Cause caring is rude
Because people see caring as a weakness or impolite
You are young and we don't share a goal
You are inexperienced and don't have the same aspirations as me
And nothing I could say would gain control
I cannot persuade you to agree with me
Oh nature rushing me back to the cell
I'm being taken back to my natural state - reserved and introverted
It's better for my health –
It's better for me to avoid stressful confrontations
If I hold it true[?],
If I stand by my beliefs
'Cause caring is rude
Because people see caring as a weakness or impolite
Nature is cruel
The natural state of things is often harsh
Contributed by Avery H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Augustine Coronado
I love lous vocals. They always come to me as honest and natural, rather than forced
Fails_for_the_win
I can actually relate to this song.
Marshall Law
more than we know can 😔
Deidra J'Nay
always love how Lou strums.
Robert Malear
Danm these guys still rock, what an awesome tune, I cant stop listening to it.
Dr. Totz
I was so happy with this album. I remember when I heard this song I was like...YEAH....Lou gets to sing a song again!
Mike Debauched
Such a great song.
Kate Animates
I wish Lou sang in more Dinosaur jr songs I love his voice
drawrings
J went ahead and J'd Lou's song. Nice.
Deidra J'Nay
and where'd J get all these cute glasses?