Random Dinosaur

Mesozoic MindMesozoic Mind - MesozoicMind.com

What’s That Dinosaur Song?

Got a song stuck in your head about dinosaurs, from a video tape you watched as a kid in the ’80s or ’90s? A cartoon dinosaur band, the kid from The Wonder Years and The Princess Bride working on his science report, clay dinosaurs? You’ve found it.

The song you’re thinking of is

“Mesozoic Mind” by Charmer

It’s from Dinosaurs! A Fun-Filled Trip Back in Time!, a 1987 VHS video tape. A very young Fred Savage (the kid from The Wonder Years, The Wizard and The Princess Bride) plays Philip, who is stuck on his science project, with the radio on, when this song comes on and gives him the idea to do his report on dinosaurs. A band of cartoon dinosaurs plays along, with a Tyrannosaurus on lead guitar and vocals.

If you’re picturing Fred Savage in a bed, you might be mixing it up with The Princess Bride, where he plays the sick grandson being read a story. Both came out in 1987, and he spends time in a bed in both!

The tape also features Will Vinton’s clay dinosaurs Rex and Herb, the same pair who host the Claymation Christmas special.

Watch the music video Read the lyrics You’re not alone: read the letters
“Mesozoic Mind” by Charmer, from Dinosaurs! A Fun-Filled Trip Back in Time! (1987)

Is this the one you remember?

You might remember…
  • Philip (Fred Savage, Kevin from The Wonder Years) at his desk with the radio on, trying to pick a topic for his report
  • Fred in his bedroom, being told to turn off the music and go to bed (not to be confused with The Princess Bride, from the same year)
  • A band of cartoon dinosaurs, with a T. rex singing and playing guitar
  • Rex and Herb, the clay dinosaurs from the Claymation Christmas special
  • The classroom scene at the chalkboard, with a kid saying “That looks like Margaret’s mother!”
  • The words “Mesozoic” and “mind” over and over in the chorus
  • The VHS tape: watching it in class, borrowing it from the library, or wearing out your own copy

See pictures from the video →

Quick facts
  • Song: “Mesozoic Mind”
  • Performed by: Charmer, a pop rock band from Chicago
  • Lyrics by: Virginia Theimer Clapper, the video’s screenwriter
  • Video: Dinosaurs! A Fun-Filled Trip Back in Time! (1987)
  • Starring: Fred Savage as Philip (of The Wonder Years, The Wizard and The Princess Bride)
  • From: Will Vinton Productions and Pyramid Films
  • On VHS from: Golden Book Video
  • Clay dinosaurs: Rex and Herb, from the Claymation Christmas special

See the VHS covers →

Other questions people ask

What’s the music at the very beginning? The opening track that sounds like “Every Breath You Take” is “Step by Step” by Vic Sepanski.

Who was in the band? Charmer recorded the whole song in a weekend. Their lead guitarist told us the story himself.

Read the story of the song →

Found it after all these years? So did a lot of other people. Tell us how the song came back to you!