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.
Back From Somewhere
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somewhere, you know that it's true
Together we went nearly to nowhere
Nowhere really worth going to
Standing at the city center
In the middle of the winter
I was waiting for you and you were due
Leaving, you said, right away
And coming back for the sake of retrieving
Things you'd forgotten on that day
Still now my eyes are burning
With the sight of your returning
Everywhere I look, I'm finding you
I remember you
Familiar places that we turned into gardens
Somewhere, yeah, you know that it's true
I'm begging you now a thousand pardons
For all of the wastelands we've been through
I remember asking whether
Or where we could be together
You smiled at me and you said "soon"
The lyrics of Hüsker Dü's song "Back From Somewhere" describe a reunion after a long period of separation, where the singer expresses mixed feelings of nostalgia, regret, and hope. The first verse sets the scene of two individuals who have just returned from different locations or experiences, possibly a metaphor for emotional distance. The tone is somewhat melancholic, as they acknowledge that their recent shared journey didn't lead them anywhere significant. The sense of disappointment is amplified by the winter setting and the anticipation that wasn't fulfilled.
The second verse adds another layer to the story, as the singer discovers that the other person is already planning to leave again, only to retrieve some forgotten objects. This could be interpreted as a sign that they are not as committed to the reunion as the singer, or that they have a hard time letting go of the past. The singer observes that they are still affected by the other person's presence, even though it causes pain, or at least discomfort.
Overall, the lyrics of "Back From Somewhere" suggest that revisiting old memories and attempting to rekindle relationships can be bittersweet, especially if the parties involved have grown apart or have unresolved issues. However, there is also a sense of compassion and affection towards the other person, as the singer acknowledges the value of the time they shared and expresses a desire for reconciliation.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you look like you just got back from somewhere
You appear to have returned from a place after a long time.
Somewhere, you know that it's true
The place you went to, however obscure or far, really exists.
Together we went nearly to nowhere
We embarked on a journey with no real destination.
Nowhere really worth going to
We went to places with no value or significance whatsoever.
Standing at the city center
I was present at the core of the city.
In the middle of the winter
This happened during the winter season.
I was waiting for you and you were due
I was expecting you to come and you were expected to come as well.
When I got back you said you was leaving
After my return, you informed me that you were leaving.
Leaving, you said, right away
You told me that you were leaving immediately.
And coming back for the sake of retrieving
Your motive for returning was to get back something you had lost.
Things you'd forgotten on that day
There were items you had left behind on that particular day.
Still now my eyes are burning
Even now, my eyes feel discomfort and distress.
With the sight of your returning
Seeing you come back causes me to feel uneasy.
Everywhere I look, I'm finding you
You seem to be appearing everywhere I focus my attention on.
I remember you
I have not forgotten about you.
Familiar places that we turned into gardens
There were places we are acquainted with where we transformed to beauty spots.
Somewhere, yeah, you know that it's true
You are aware that this happened in a location which actually exists.
I'm begging you now a thousand pardons
I am kindly but earnestly asking for your forgiveness.
For all of the wastelands we've been through
I apologize for all the barren and unproductive areas we have traversed together.
I remember asking whether
I recollect inquiring if something is possible or not.
Or where we could be together
I also asked where we could potentially meet and stay together.
You smiled at me and you said 'soon'
You responded with a grin and told me it will take place at a time not too far off.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GRANT VERNON HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
machinesbreathe
RIP, Grant Hart. The warm soul of the band.
SuperJohnnyO
This song is very cinematic; love the time change on the last verse and the sad, unresolved ending...
SS T
Not only is there a time change on the last verse, there's also the modulation from major into a minor tonal center. Very clever stuff.
wdrauch
I've always loved Grant's vocals on this song ..... "I remember youuuuuuuu"
john84896
Yes!!! Grant grant grant brilliant
And the tempo drop at the end! Luv this great husker tune
David Evans
Yeah that falsetto yelp at the end of youuuuuu... is awesome
SuperJohnnyO
Love the jingle bells behind "In the middle of the winter". Cool.
hela2
<3