Hüsker Dü broke with the anti-traditionalist ethos of most early hardcore bands. Their early songwriting shows the influence of folk, 1960s pop music, blues, and other forms (although often buried under a thick layer of angst and aggression), and has a strong melodic sense. The lyrics made astute, sharp, personal and social commentary, showing a great deal of vulnerability and sympathy for their subjects. Hüsker Dü's songwriting was widely admired, and their live shows were often a venue for brilliant improvisational playing. (A feedback-laden solo guitar performance from an early-'80s soundcheck tape merited release via the avant-garde Telus Magazine.) Hüsker Dü were also, however, widely regarded as somewhat unusual-sounding in their early prime, due to the instruments' non-standard tones: Mould's guitar is described below, while Hart's drums were considered 'thumpy' (and he consistently played slightly behind the beat); Norton played bass fairly laconically even at fast tempos, using his fingers rather than a pick. The band's sound can be considered an organic synthesis of these elements -- a unit that was quite powerful in combination, yet perhaps difficult to parse singly.
A particular strength of the group was the two powerhouse singer/songwriters, Mould and Hart. The tension between their musical styles (Mould was generally the angrier songwriter, Hart the more melodic one), and their willingness to collaborate, made the sum of their contributions greater than their parts. Another strength was Mould's unique, resonant guitar sound, described by a critic at the time as "molten metal pouring from the speakers." Mid-period Hüsker Dü songs are immediately recognizable via Mould's incandescent guitar tone, achieved by splitting the signal in the studio between amplified and direct tones and adding a light stereo chorus effect. Mould's technique involved playing resonant drone notes on the high strings. Although a trio, Hüsker Dü generally sounded extremely large on record and live.
The group is also notable as one of the first 1980s American underground rock bands to contract with a major record label, a move that blazed the trail for the rise of alternative rock a few years later. Another key Minneapolis band who served as an alternative rock icebreaker was The Replacements, who had a friendly rivalry with Hüsker Dü.
Mould has gone on to release other albums, including a recent solo double album release called Body of Song. Prior to that he took a stint as a writer for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) scripting scenarios and fights.
Grant Hart died from cancer on September 14, 2017.
Actual Condition
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is elusive as the answers that I find
I keep going through transition
From doubt to indecision
It's the actual condition of my mind
Well, the actual condition of my soul
Sometimes feels like being sucked into a hole
Regardless of religion
It's the actual condition of my soul
My soul!
Well, the actual condition of my heart
Feels like two hands that are ripping it apart
I keep losing definition
But still I keep on wishin'
It's the actual condition of my heart
Yeah, okay!
The lyrics of Hüsker Dü's song "Actual Condition" shed light on the inner workings and struggles of the mind, soul, and heart of the singer. The first stanza speaks about the elusive nature of the singer's mind and the constant state of transition between doubt and indecision. The singer is unable to find answers to his questions and feels lost in their own thoughts. This could be interpreted as a reflection of the anxieties and uncertainties that a person deals with in modern society.
The second stanza delves deeper into the condition of the singer's soul. The imagery of being "sucked into a hole" suggests a feeling of helplessness and fear. The singer also implies that their religious beliefs do not alleviate the turmoil they face. This could signify the existential dilemmas that people face when they question the meaning of life and confront their own mortality.
The final stanza addresses the condition of the singer's heart. The physical pain they feel suggests that their emotions are overwhelming and causing them distress. The singer acknowledges that they are losing definition, meaning that they struggle to define their own identity and purpose. Despite this, they continue to wish for a better understanding of themselves.
Overall, the lyrics to "Actual Condition" paint a picture of a person who is struggling to find their footing in life and to come to terms with their own inner turmoil. The song speaks to the universal experience of anxiety, doubt, and existential angst that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the actual condition of my mind
The true state of my thoughts is hard to define
Is elusive as the answers that I find
I struggle to understand my own mind and its workings
I keep going through transition
I am in a state of flux and change
From doubt to indecision
I vacillate between uncertainty and hesitation
It's the actual condition of my mind
This is the current status of my mental state
Well, the actual condition of my soul
The genuine state of my inner being
Sometimes feels like being sucked into a hole
There are moments when I feel lost and hopeless
And I've come to this position
I have arrived at this juncture in my life
Regardless of religion
In spite of my spiritual beliefs or lack thereof
It's the actual condition of my soul
This is the present state of my soul
Well, the actual condition of my heart
The true state of my emotions and feelings
Feels like two hands that are ripping it apart
I am experiencing intense emotional pain and turmoil
I keep losing definition
My feelings and emotions become less clear and more confusing
But still I keep on wishin'
Despite my struggles, I hold onto hope
It's the actual condition of my heart
This is the genuine state of my heart
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GRANT VERNON HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind