Hüsker Dü was a punk band from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, active from… Read Full Bio ↴Hüsker Dü was a punk band from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, active from 1979 to 1987. The band consisted of Bob Mould (guitars, vocals), Greg Norton (bass) and Grant Hart (1961 – 2017) (drums, vocals). Mould and Hart split the song-writing duties. The band was never widely popular, but had an impact much larger than sales might indicate. "Husker Du" is Danish/Norwegian for "Do You Remember" (also a popular children's game as Hūsker Dū?). Hüsker Dü first gained notice as a hardcore band, with thrashing tempos & screamed vocals, but also with a melodic, soulful edge that became more pronounced in the band's mid-career, as they drifted away from their early sound. They were also a striking trio on stage — far different from the typical hardcore band of the time — with Mould's hulking, doughy presence shouting angrily at stage left, offset by the generally unkempt, long-haired Hart flailing on the drums, and the lanky, good-natured Norton, who sported a waxed handlebar moustache for most of the band's career.

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.

Amusement
Hüsker Dü Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm not easily amused
And I'm not easily amazed
Don't you do something different?
And I wont even be fazed.
Yeah got you're letter
Was it an invitation?
You created this situation
You're my friend, my dear friend

got your little project
wanna be that project?
JUST DO IT!
I'm not easily amused by you
Not easily amazed
Don't you do something different?
Won't even beat me
Yeah got you're letter

Was it an invitation?
You created this situation

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Hüsker Dü's song "Amusement" convey the message of the singer's disposition towards someone who is trying to impress or entertain them. The lyrics suggest that the singer is not easily amused or amazed, and challenges the other person to try something different or unique.

The song also touches on relationships, with the mention of receiving a letter from a friend inviting them to a project. The singer seems hesitant, possibly because they feel that the friend is using them or taking advantage of their position. Nonetheless, the advice to "just do it" implies that the singer is willing to take a chance, despite their reservations.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm not easily amused
I am difficult to entertain or make laugh.

And I'm not easily amazed
I am hard to impress or surprise.

Don't you do something different?
Are you capable of doing something unique or original?

And I wont even be fazed.
I won't be affected or bothered by whatever you do.

Yeah got you're letter
I received your letter.

Was it an invitation?
Are you inviting me to something?

You created this situation
You caused or brought about this circumstance.

You're my friend, my dear friend
You are my friend, someone I care deeply for.

got your little project
I am aware of your small undertaking or task.

wanna be that project?
Are you asking if I want to be involved or participate in that project?

JUST DO IT!
Just go ahead and do it, without hesitation or fear.