Dinosaurs Will Die
by NOFX

Album: Pump Up The Valium (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, dinosaurs represent the huge record labels that put out bad music because it sells. They will die even though they are powerful like the dinosaurs were. The song explains how music should be made for the love of it and nothing more: "Music made from pure devotion, not ambition, not for fans." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kieran - D.C., VA
  • The song was released in 2000 when Napster and other file-sharing services were threatening the music establishment. Instead of adapting to the new technology, record labels fought it, refusing to evolve.

    "I wrote that song about how the internet and pirating was destroying the music industry, and major labels were never going to survive because major labels treat bands like products," NOFX frontman Fat Mike told Songfacts. "Not that there's anything wrong with that, because companies have products that they sell."
  • Fat Mike of NOFX started his own record label, Fat Wreck Chords, in the early '90s as an alternative to the big label model. Fat Wreck Chords doesn't cross-collateralize albums by bands, meaning they don't pay for money-losing albums with profits from the hits. In fact, most of their deals are for just one album. Fat Wreck Chords has stood the test of time, weathering decades of industry changes to remain relevant.

Comments: 5

  • Goo from Bowie, MdNoFX will always be cool.
  • Anaïs from Paris, United Statessorry to finish the sentence : these days you gotta take in account the fact that there are different kinds of punk music, with different influences and stuff.
    originally to listen to punk, is wanting to listen to something different. therfor, it is a good thing that NOFX does not really sound like the first punk bands.
    nevertheless, one has to remember the important influence that the original bands have on the music of today (they even "contributed" to it). so one can remember that all along accepting the variety.
  • Kim from Stuart, FlI read someplace that Fat Mike included this on Pump up the Valium because it was the first NOFX album they were going to allow on the radio, and they thought it would be wicked funny for a song about the death of the record industry to be played on commercial radio. Unfortunately, the record execs must have actually listened to the lyrics, because they never played "Dinosaurs will Die" on the air.
  • Zachary from Charlotte, NcNoFx isn't the best band of all time, but they are an intriguing band most definently. They aren't punk in a traditional sense, but they are definently more punk than anything in the mainstream
  • John from Barrie, CanadaNOFX is the best band of all time and almost everyone of their songs has awsome lyrics.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.