Start Choppin is a song by Dinosaur Jr. written by J Mascis, released as second single album from their fifth album Where You Been on January 30, 1993. Created after Mascis came up with the title phrase, the song was accompanied by a music video that aired on alternative rock music programs.
Start Choppin was released as a single through Blanco Y Negro in Europe and as a promo by Warner Brothers in the US. It was backed by the song “Turnip Farm“, co-written by Kurt Fedora. It has since been praised by critics as a highlight of Where You Been. “Start Choppin” reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart and number 3 on the US Modern Rock Tracks.
Mascis recalled the song’s creation in an interview, saying:
I remember the title came about because we cut the tape to put some different versions together. I think I just said, “Start chopping,” or something. All the stops and starts is just how the song was written. I think the edits were just, like, maybe the verse sounded better on one take, so we could end the whole thing. It wasn’t very big edits on tape; it was little things. It was just like one verse or another.
A music video for the song was recorded, gaining popularity on MTV alternative rock programs such as 120 Minutes and Alternative Nation.
Tracklist:
A Side
Start Choppin
B Side
Turnip Farm
Dinosaur Jr.
J Mascis: organ, guitar, piano, chimes, composer
Mike Johnson: bass, guitar
Murph: drums
