Their distinct sound, characterized by high gain, extensive use of feedback and distortion, and frontman J Mascis's melodic guitar solos, were highly influential in the alternative rock movement of the 1990s, which is exemplified by the success of acknowledged fans Kurt Cobain of Nirvana among others.
On The Way
Dinosaur Jr Lyrics
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But what's it worth to know?
Promise you'll make it easy
You won't get (me, your goal?)
I've been a wreck so long it's hard to pull it back,
but I'm on it, and I
Want, and you flaunt it
Gone away. All the way
I want to let you go
I (gotta get to bed ?)
Just can't pull it together
Before it goes to your head
Gone away.
All the way [Repeat: x3]
I'd like to come and see it
But I think I'm on my own
Gone away [Repeat: x2]
All the way [Repeat: x3]
Gone away
I've been a wreck so long, it's hard to pull it out
Look to me, I feel the fool again. (floor again)
The lyrics to Dinosaur Jr's song "On The Way" are open to interpretation as there is no one true meaning. At first glance, the lyrics seem to be about the desire to see something, but questioning whether it is worth the effort. The singer asks for reassurance that the experience will be easy before committing. However, as the song progresses, the lyrics take on a darker and more chaotic tone. The singer admits to being a wreck for a long time and struggling to regain control. The line "I want, and you flaunt it and it wakes me, and it takes me, and it rapes me" is particularly powerful and possibly points to a toxic or abusive relationship. The phrase "gone away" is repeated throughout the song, perhaps indicating a sense of loss or distance from the subject.
There are various other interpretations of the song's lyrics, including that it represents the struggles of fame and success or the internal turmoil of addiction. Regardless of the interpretation, the song's repetitive and emotionally charged lyrics paired with its heavy, grunge-inspired sound create a visceral listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to come and see it
I want to experience something, but is the experience worth the effort and cost?
But what's it worth to know?
Is the knowledge gained from the experience valuable enough to justify the effort and cost?
Promise you'll make it easy
Assurances are requested to make the experience less challenging.
You won't get (me, your goal?)
The exact intent of the statement is not clear, but it implies that something/someone might not achieve what they desire.
I've been a wreck so long it's hard to pull it back,
The artist has suffered for a long time and has lost their self. Pulling back from it is challenging.
but I'm on it, and I
The singer is attempting to recover despite the difficulty in doing so.
Want, and you flaunt it
The singer desires something while the other person displays or shares it without any acknowledgement or care.
and it wakes me, and it takes me, and it rapes me
The desired thing ignites strong emotions in the artist, but it also seems crippling or harmful to them.
Gone away. All the way
Something has disappeared completely or been eliminated.
I want to let you go
The artist wants to release themselves from something or someone.
I (gotta get to bed ?)
The exact intent of this statement is not clear, but it implies that the singer needs to focus on themselves due to exhaustion.
Just can't pull it together
The artist is struggling to maintain stability or order in their life.
Before it goes to your head
The other person is causing the singer to feel good, but it's important to keep their ego or sense of self in check.
I think I'm on my own
The singer feels unsupported or alone in their experience or struggles.
Gone away
Something has disappeared completely or been eliminated.
All the way [Repeat: x3]
The repetition of this line emphasizes the complete elimination or disappearance of something.
I've been a wreck so long, it's hard to pull it out
The artist has suffered for a long time and struggles to recover or move on from it.
Look to me, I feel the fool again. (floor again)
The singer feels foolish or embarrassed due to their struggles, causing them to feel as though they've hit rock bottom.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: J. MASCIAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind