Song: "The Wagon"
Artist: Dinosaur Jr.
Album: Green Mind
Year: 1991
Length: 4:55
Label: Sire Records
Green Mind was the fourth studio release from Dinosaur Jr., but the very first that didn't feature Lou Barlow on guitar, after the ugly split between he and J Mascis led to the formation of the eventually superior Sebadoh and the blistering breakup tune "The Freed Pig." And although most of Dinosaur Jr.'s greatest work was now behind them at this point, the lead track off their major label debut, "The Wagon" is the best work they've ever done and greater in fact than anything Lou would ever be able to do. Which is not to disparage Sebadoh, because I only consider 11 songs in the history of music better than this one, but perhaps the loss of Lou was worth it if only for this masterpiece of a rock anthem.
After temporarily suspending the band, J Mascis first snuck out "The Wagon" as a Sub Pop single, then a little while later released the group's first major-label album, Green Mind. More of a solo project than a group effort -- Lou Barlow was out and then some, Murph only drums on three tracks, a few guests pop up here and there -- it's still a great album, recorded and performed with gusto. Such a judgment may seem strange given Mascis' legendary image as the überslacker, but clearly the man knows how to balance how to convey himself with getting the job done. "The Wagon" itself kicks off the album, an even quicker and nuttier sequel to the peerless "Freak Scene" -- Don Fleming of Gumball fame adds some of the music and background vocals, but otherwise it's Mascis and Murph cranking it and having a blast. When Mascis goes into one of his patented over-the-top solos, it all feels just right -- this is loud rock music for putting a smile on your face, not beating up people in a pit.
This song also features what is possibly the greatest opening line ever, accompanied by a blast of rock brilliance.. "There's a way I feel right now, wish you'd help me, don't know how..." Turn it up. Loud.
From an undated but really old David Letterman, circa probably 1991 (when he was still on NBC), with J Mascis surrounded mostly by members of Paul Schaeffer's "band", who can't quite keep up with the amazing guitar prowess of Mr. Mascis ...
#12 Favorite Song of All-Time
There's a way I feel right now
Wish you'd help me, don't know how
We're all nuts, so who helps who
Some help when no one's got a clue
Baby, why don't we
Baby, why don't we
There's a place I'd like to go
When you get there then I'll know
There's a place I know you've been
Here's a wagon, get on in
Baby, why don't we
Baby, why don't we
Baby, why don't we
Baby, why don't we
Why don't we
You won't see me
You won't see me
There you are and here I stand
Tryin' to make you feel my hand
You won't see me
You won't see me
I ring the doorbell in your mind
But it's locked from the outside
You won't see me
You won't see me
You don't live there anyway
But I knock on it all day
You won't see me
You won't see me
There's a place I go
But you're not there
And I'm supposed to know
How to get to where
You're gonna be
But you don't even know
So I'm flakin'
While you're shakin' it
With every stump you flew
Without a mind, without a spine,
What is it that you wanna find?
There's a place I go
But you're not there
And I'm supposed to know
How to get to where
You're gonna be
But you don't even know
So I'm flailin'
While you're sailin' off
Without a course in mind
Without a mind, without a dog,
What is it that you wanna find?
There's a place I'd like to go
When you get there then I'll know
There's a place I know you've been
Here's a wagon, get on in...
Baby, why don't we
Baby, why don't we
Why don't we
You won't see me
You won't see me
There you are and here I stand
Tryin' to make you feel my hand
You won't see me
You won't see me
I ring the doorbell in your mind
But it's locked from the outside
You won't see me
You won't see me
You don't live there anyway
But I knock on it all day
You won't see me
You won't see me
And this performance is from a much more recent show by the reunited Dinosaur Jr. (J Mascis and Lou Barlow sharing a stage after all these years!), where they shockingly sound almost as good, and Lou still looks vaguely youthful (J just looks really old and fat, sorry - love you, J!)
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