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.

Don't Try It
Hüsker Dü Lyrics

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Can't explain the way I feel
It's all so clear, it's all so real
Some kind of game, they're all the same
Don't need it 'cause I'm always to blame

You're freaking out all the time
You've lost touch with reality again
And what you do when you're alone

Don't try to call me, just leave me alone

Don't try to call, don't try at all
Forget my number, forget my name
Don't try to call, don't try at all
I'm never home when you're all alone

Well, now you say that you're OK
I don't buy it when I see you around

You fight and cuss, what's the fuss
I just told you, forget about us

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hüsker Dü's song "Don't Try It" delve into complex emotions and relationship dynamics, capturing a sense of inner turmoil and disconnection. The opening lines express a frustration with the inability to articulate one's feelings, portraying a sense of clarity and reality that is contrasted with a feeling of being stuck in a repetitive and futile game. The singer acknowledges a tendency to take blame for situations, possibly hinting at a pattern of self-criticism and difficult introspection.

The second paragraph highlights a scene of heightened anxiety and disorientation, with the person being addressed portrayed as constantly on edge and losing touch with reality. The reference to being alone suggests a sense of isolation and perhaps a reliance on external validation or connection. The plea to not try to reach out or contact the singer underscores a desire for distance and a need to protect one's own boundaries and emotional well-being.

The repeated refrain of "Don't try to call, don't try at all" emphasizes a strong sense of rejection and avoidance, with the singer urging the other person to forget them entirely. This refusal of contact and clear-cut boundaries signal a break in communication and a desire to move on from a strained relationship or connection. The assertion that the singer is "never home when you're all alone" further underscores a sense of detachment and a refusal to engage in unwanted interactions.

The final lines of the lyrics reveal a sense of resignation and acceptance of the reality of the situation, with the singer asserting that they do not believe the other person's claims of being okay. The reference to fighting and causing a commotion suggests a turbulent and discordant relationship dynamic, with the singer ultimately advising the other person to let go and move on from the turmoil between them. The overall tone of the song conveys a mix of frustration, boundary-setting, and a longing for distance and closure.

Don't Try ItHüsker Dü Lyrics

Don't Try It
Hüsker Dü Lyrics