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.
Do You Remember?
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jump and shout and scream.
Get loaded after the show,
It's all part of our scheme.
Don't hate us cause we're just kids
No that wouldn't be fair.
People say we're behind the times
Go ahead and see if I care.
Do you remember?
When you were our age?
Do you remember?
Do you remember?
When you were our age?
Do you remember?
We do it all for fun you know,
Jump and shout and scream.
We get loaded after the show,
It's all part of our scheme.
Don't hate us cause we're just kids
No that wouldn't be fair.
People say we're behind the times
Go ahead and see if I care.
Do you remember?
When you were our age?
Do you remember?
Do you remember?
Do you remember?
Do you remember?
Hüsker Dü's song "Do You Remember?" is a nostalgic reflection on youth, particularly the carefree joys of being young and part of a band. The lyrics describe the band's exuberant performances, the partying that follows, and the sense of rebellion that comes with simply doing what they love. The refrain "Do you remember?" serves as an invitation for the listener to reflect on their own youth and the experiences that defined it.
The lyrics are infused with a sense of defiance and youthful energy, as the band refuses to be held back by accusations that they are "behind the times." Instead, they revel in their youth and their music, daring anyone to try and bring them down. The repetition of the chorus underscores the nostalgia and sense of longing inherent in the song, as if the band is trying to recapture the magic of their youth through the act of singing about it.
Overall, "Do You Remember?" is a celebration of youth, music, and the camaraderie that comes from being part of a band. It's a reminder that even though people may grow up and move on, the memories of one's youth can remain a powerful source of inspiration and motivation.
Line by Line Meaning
We do it all for fun you know,
Everything we do is for the pure enjoyment of it.
Jump and shout and scream.
We express our joy and excitement through physical movements and vocalizations.
Get loaded after the show,
We consume substances to enhance our experience and prolong the feeling of entertainment.
It's all part of our scheme.
This is all a deliberate plan to have a good time and experience life to the fullest.
Don't hate us cause we're just kids
Please don't judge us or have ill feelings towards us because of our youth.
No that wouldn't be fair.
It's not fair to criticize or belittle us simply because of our age.
People say we're behind the times
Others have criticized us for not keeping up with the latest trends and developments.
Go ahead and see if I care.
But we don't really care what they think or say, we're just enjoying our lives.
Do you remember?
Can you recall your own experiences when you were our age?
When you were our age?
Can you remember how it felt to be young and carefree?
Do you remember?
Do those memories still bring you joy and happiness?
Do you remember?
Can you relate to what we're experiencing right now?
Do you remember?
We want to know if you can connect with us on this level.
Do you remember?
Because we're having the time of our lives and we hope you did too.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: B. WILSON, MICHAEL CAEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind