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.
All This I've Done For You
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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Trying to make these decisions for myself
And I go on to ask myself what's right and wrong about it
And I don't really know what makes it, ask yourself
Now I see you, you want to ask me
I want you to ask me, I want you to ask me
What does it matter? What does it mean?
I get so confused
I start to fall over backwards
Then I ask this to myself, and see within myself
And wonder what it means, and ask these questions to myself
Now I'm a little bit older
And I'm not a hell of a lot wiser
So I've gotta sit down and contemplate it
Should I talk to the mirror, should I talk to a wall
Should I even talk at all
Would a little tiny bit of action
Would it make it even seem to matter anymore
I guess it matters just to you
All this I've done for you
The lyrics to Hüsker Dü's song All This I've Done For You seem to narrate a reflective journey of a person who, in their younger days, was caught up in making important decisions for themselves. They were constantly consumed by thoughts of what is right and wrong, only to find themselves in the same predicament with no clear direction. The lyrics suggest that this person is now surrounded by people who are eager to help, but at times, their assistance is more confusing than helpful, and the person questions the meaning behind the help that they are receiving. Despite this, the person knows that they must sit down and contemplate their actions, even if they don't have all the answers.
The song's introspective lyrics capture the essence of a person who is at a crossroads in their life, unsure of what path to take. It highlights the internal struggle of trying to balance personal growth and the opinions of those around them, ultimately leading to a place where they must look within themselves for answers. The line "All this I've done for you" seems to suggest that the person is acknowledging the sacrifices they have made for others while also questioning if it was worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was younger, worrying about it
As a young person, I used to worry about different things.
Trying to make these decisions for myself
I attempted to make decisions for myself.
And I go on to ask myself what's right and wrong about it
I often questioned what was right or wrong about a particular decision or action.
And I don't really know what makes it, ask yourself
I am not entirely sure what the right thing to do is, and I am constantly asking myself these questions.
Now I see you, you want to ask me
I now notice that you want to ask me something.
I want you to ask me, I want you to ask me
I appreciate it when you ask me for advice or guidance.
What does it matter? What does it mean?
However, sometimes I don't understand the importance or meaning behind your questions.
Sometimes I don't know why you want to try and help me
I sometimes feel a little confused when you want to offer me assistance.
I get so confused
I become extremely baffled and perplexed.
I start to fall over backwards
I begin to feel overwhelmed and off-balance.
Then I ask this to myself, and see within myself
I then ask myself different questions and become introspective.
And wonder what it means, and ask these questions to myself
I engage in critical thinking to understand the meaning behind things and ask myself even more questions.
Now I'm a little bit older
As I have aged, I have become a little wiser.
And I'm not a hell of a lot wiser
However, I still have a lot to learn and am not significantly more knowledgeable.
So I've gotta sit down and contemplate it
Therefore, I need to take time to sit and reflect on things.
Should I talk to the mirror, should I talk to a wall
Sometimes, I'm not sure who I should talk to or if anyone is listening.
Should I even talk at all
I sometimes wonder if it's even necessary to express my thoughts and opinions.
Would a little tiny bit of action
I wonder if taking even a small amount of action would make a difference.
Would it make it even seem to matter anymore
I'm not sure if anything I do will really make a difference.
I guess it matters just to you
However, I acknowledge that it may matter a great deal to you and that's important to me.
All this I've done for you
In the end, I realize that everything I do is because I care and want to help you.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind