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.
Take a Run at the Sun
Dinosaur Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you think of the one
Brings a cloud to your eye
Every moment you smile
Rain lets up for awhile
Sun starts clearing your sky
Every night you cry alone
And every time you're on your own
And you wish the hurt would stop
The sun will never hurt you
The warmth of rays will hold you
And every time you wonder why
Remember what I told you
You've been waiting for a sign
You wouldn't need if you were mine
The littlest clouds could feel the sun shine
Take a run at the sun
When you think of the one
Brings a cloud to your eye
Every moment you smile
Rain lets up for a while
Sun starts clearing your sky
Let the rays come inside
They'll make everything right
Let the sun embrace you
All the feelings you hide
Let 'em go with the tide
Give the moon a place too
You been hurt the cloud's rolling
Your heart is close to broken
Don't want to move you're feeling down
Catch the rain it's coming 'round
The sun would never hurt you
The warmth of rays will hold you
And every time you wonder why
Remember what I told you
Take a run at the sun
When you think of the one
Brings a cloud to your eye
Every moment you smile
Rain lets up for a while
Sun starts clearing your sky
Let the rays come inside
They'll make everything right
Let the sun embrace you
All the feelings you hide
Let 'em go with the tide
Give the moon a place too
Take a run at the sun
Take a run at the sun
Take a run at the sun
Take a run at the sun
The lyrics of Dinosaur Jr.'s song "Take a Run at the Sun" are an encouragement to not let one's fears and doubts hold them back from pursuing happiness and fulfillment. The reference to "take a run at the sun" is a metaphorical invitation to go after what you want, even if it seems out of reach or impossible. The song acknowledges that life can be painful and difficult, with tears and loneliness, but it also suggests that the sun can bring healing and hope, clearing away the clouds that block the ability to see the good.
The lyrics encourage the listener to let go of their "feelings hidden" and "give the moon a place too," suggesting that acknowledging and expressing one's true emotions can lead to greater peace and understanding. The repetition of "remember what I told you" seems to reinforce the idea that there is wisdom and guidance available to those who seek it, even if it comes in the form of a song lyric.
Overall, "Take a Run at the Sun" is a song that inspires its listeners to be brave and pursue their dreams, even in the face of adversity. It acknowledges the pain and struggle that can come with life, but also offers the hope that comes with the warmth and light of the sun.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a run at the sun
Believe in yourself, aim high, and strive for greatness
When you think of the one
When you think of someone special in your life
Brings a cloud to your eye
Brings tears to your eyes out of joy or sadness
Every moment you smile
Moments where you feel happy and alive
Rain lets up for awhile
The bad times will eventually pass
Sun starts clearing your sky
Things will get better and brighter over time
Every night you cry alone
You feel lonely and sad at times
Every tear a raindrop
Each tear represents emotional pain and hardship
And every time you're on your own
When you feel isolated and unsupported
And you wish the hurt would stop
You desire to ease your emotional pain
The sun will never hurt you
The good things in life won't harm you, they will only provide warmth and comfort
The warmth of rays will hold you
The sun's love and comfort will embrace you and bring you peace
And every time you wonder why
When you question the hardships in life
Remember what I told you
Remember the advice and support from your loved ones
You've been waiting for a sign
You've been searching for guidance and direction
You wouldn't need if you were mine
You wouldn't need anyone else's approval if you were with me
The littlest clouds could feel the sun shine
Even small efforts can lead to great outcomes
Let the rays come inside
Allow positivity and hope to enter your life
They'll make everything right
Good things will happen and change for the better
Let the sun embrace you
Let the warmth and love of life surround you
All the feelings you hide
All the emotions and thoughts that you keep to yourself
Let 'em go with the tide
Let them flow away and forgive yourself
Give the moon a place too
Allow the beauty and wisdom of the night to also be a part of your life
You been hurt the cloud's rolling
You've been going through rough times and feeling low
Your heart is close to broken
You feel vulnerable and afraid of getting hurt
Don't want to move you're feeling down
You feel stuck and hopeless in your current state
Catch the rain it's coming 'round
Be aware of the good things that are coming your way
Take a run at the sun
Believe in yourself, aim high, and strive for greatness
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOSEPH DONALD MASCIS JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jannes Platteau
take a run at the sun
when you think of the one
brings a cloud to your eye
every moment you smile
rain lets up for awhile
sun starts clearing your sky
every night you cry alone
every tear a raindrop
and every time you're on your own
and you wish the hurt would stop
the sun will never hurt you
the warmth of rays will hold you
and every time you wonder why
remember what i told you
you've been waiting for a sign
you wouldn't need if you were mine
the littlest clouds could feel the sun shine
take a run at the sun
when you think of the one
brings a cloud to your eye
every moment you smile
rain lets up for a while
sun starts clearing your sky
let the rays come inside
they'll make everything right
let the sun embrace you
all the feelings you hide
let 'em go with the tide
give the moon a place too
you been hurt the cloud's rolling
your heart is close to broken
don't want to move you're feeling down
catch the rain it's coming 'round
the sun would never hurt you
the warmth of rays will hold you
and every time you wonder why
remember what i told you
take a run at the sun
when you think of the one
brings a cloud to your eye
every moment you smile
rain lets up for a while
sun starts clearing your sky
let the rays come inside
they'll make everything right
let the sun embrace you
all the feelings you hide
let 'em go with the tide
give the moon a place too
take a run at the sun
take a run at the sun
take a run at the sun
take a run at the sun
Jevon Hall
I have loved this song for fully 24 years and never even thought to look for a video. But it algorithmed in to my life today and now I think it's my favourite music video of all time.
Leroy Brown
What a gem. Why did it take me this long to discover this. Thank you J. Mascis. Good ol rage delivers again on the goods.
Saucey Potatoes
This song is criminally underrated for how good it is.
DaddyLafe
Exactly what I was thinking. I listened to this song on repeat after listening to the album and was shocked that it was one of the least played songs on it.
Space Alien Jesus
I love when that acoustic comes in on the chorus. And J's voice on this is perfect..
David Herbert
Gosh this is a great song. Haven’t heard it in years. Every time Triple J would play it, the volume would go up.
lloyd austins
Slacker cool with pure pop beauty from one of the greatest guitarists of all time
Michael Higgins
25 years later, this song is still magic...J Mascis should have punched his ticket to
the Rock Hall with this record...
Matheus Henrique
This song is so underrated, should be more famous.
kennygriff24
Yes! So glad you found a better quality version! Thank you!