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.
First of the Last Calls
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got a bottle, now you're on your own
Gotta be a scotch or a kamikaze
None of those other weapons will faze me
First of the last calls
It's in your heart, it's in your mind
First of the last calls
Hundred hundred hundred bottles on the wall
You wonder if you can drink them all
Gotta go home at 1:00 AM
The bottle wins the battle again
The lyrics of Hüsker Dü's song First of the Last Calls depict a scene at a bar. The singer sets the tone by comparing it to a battle zone, where one has to fend for themselves with a drink in hand. The choice of drink is either scotch or kamikaze, as nothing else can match the strength or level of intoxication. The chorus, "First of the last calls," refers to the last call for drinks at a bar but also alludes to the idea of calling it quits prematurely, "cashing it in before your time." The drinking continues in the second stanza with the classic song lyric reference to "a hundred bottles on the wall", leading to the thoughts of wondering if they can drink them all. However, 1 AM comes rolling around, and the bottle wins again.
The song is a reflection of the "drink till you drop" culture, in which alcohol becomes a means of escape from reality, validation, or a way of numbing one's emotions. In the context of the song, the idea of calling it quits before your time, alludes to the short term and long-term consequences of alcohol abuse. The song asks the listener to question a culture that celebrates binge drinking and risks it alongside self-destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
It's just like a battle zone
The bar atmosphere is intense and unpredictable.
You got a bottle, now you're on your own
Once you start drinking, you are responsible for yourself.
Gotta be a scotch or a kamikaze
Specific drinks are preferred to prepare for the bar battle.
None of those other weapons will faze me
The artist is confident in their ability to handle their alcohol.
First of the last calls
The artist is calling it quits for the night before the bar officially closes.
It's in your heart, it's in your mind
The decision to leave the bar is difficult but the right one.
Cashing it in before your time
The singer is choosing to leave the bar early to avoid negative consequences.
Hundred hundred hundred bottles on the wall
The abundance of alcohol may seem tempting, but it's not worth it to keep drinking.
You wonder if you can drink them all
The artist may be tempted to keep drinking, but knows they should stop.
Gotta go home at 1:00 AM
There is a need to go home before the night gets out of hand.
The bottle wins the battle again
Regardless of intentions, alcohol can have negative effects on a person and it's best to cut it out early.
Contributed by Bailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
willieluncheonette
THIRD SONG FROM METAL CIRCUS IN OUR CONTINUING SURVEY OF THE GREAT MINNESOTA BAND HUSKER DU. FIRST OF THE LAST CALLS IS A VERY GREAT SONG!
It's just like a battle zone
You got a bottle, now you're on your own
Gotta be a scotch or a kamikaze
None of those other weapons will faze me
First of the last calls
It's in your heart, it's in your mind
First of the last calls
Cashing it in before your time
Hundred hundred hundred bottles on the wall
You wonder if you can drink them all
Gotta go home at 1:00 AM
The bottle wins the battle again
Alex Hartland
Man, the last 40 seconds of this are absolutely monumental.
Yoke Records
This song is my favorite Husker Du tune hands down. Showcases their Hardcore roots with their trademark tunefulness. Best US Hardcore band ever.
Charon241
RIP Grant Hart. You will be missed!!
Charon241
500 views for one of Bob Mould's greatest masterpieces. It only goes to show that the humans lack the necessary maturity and discernment to be allowed to vote for their own leaders.
Chris Francz
Tons of people just never heard of this. Never hearing a song doesn’t mean disliking it. Plus, youtube isn’t the only way people listen to music.
Matthew Stetson
Agree with your idea on dumbing down but if everybody loved this tune there'd be anarchy. Hey.
willieluncheonette
THIRD SONG FROM METAL CIRCUS IN OUR CONTINUING SURVEY OF THE GREAT MINNESOTA BAND HUSKER DU. FIRST OF THE LAST CALLS IS A VERY GREAT SONG!
It's just like a battle zone
You got a bottle, now you're on your own
Gotta be a scotch or a kamikaze
None of those other weapons will faze me
First of the last calls
It's in your heart, it's in your mind
First of the last calls
Cashing it in before your time
Hundred hundred hundred bottles on the wall
You wonder if you can drink them all
Gotta go home at 1:00 AM
The bottle wins the battle again
Hannibal Psycho
Nothing better than old school hardcore punk
Cyrille Revueltas
Wow, I didn't know this song was about booze! I've been in AA for 13 years and I love sobriety.
Cyrille Revueltas
@The Iceman i was an active alcoholic for many years, and let me tell ya, life on a daily basis wasn t as exciting as this song