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.
Flexible Flyer
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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To the bottom how fast I would go
Just waiting for me under the tree
And out in the snow
A cowboy, a nurse or a fireman
There's so many things that you can be
You can set bigger goals, but set your soul
Times, places and situations
Leads to an early grave
When we get there we see
What did we save?
If your heart is a flame burning brightly
You'll have light and you'll never be cold
And soon you will know that you just grow
You're not growing old
Times, places and situations
Leads to an early grave
When we get there we see
Just what did we save?
Times, places and situations
Leads to an early grave
When we get there we see
Just what did we save?
If the wheels of your wagon are rusty
You can paint them until they are new
You can roll down a hill, but if you can't
Then I pity you
The lyrics of Hüsker Dü's "Flexible Flyer" speak to the idea of youth and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. The flexible flyer is a sled, and the singer describes the thrill of speeding down a hill on one, surrounded by snow and the promise of adventure. He encourages listeners to dream big - to be anything they want to be, whether it's a cowboy, a nurse, or a fireman. However, the song's tone takes a darker turn as the singer reflects on the consequences of time, places, and situations. He warns that these things can lead to an early grave, and questions what we truly save as we age.
The final verse serves as a call to action, reminding us to keep our hearts burning brightly like a flame, to stay young in spirit and to continue growing, regardless of our age. It encourages the listener to not give up hope and to never stop trying, even if the wheels of our metaphorical wagon are rusty.
Overall, "Flexible Flyer" speaks to the universal experience of growing up and growing old, with its message of hope and the importance of keeping our inner fire alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Down on a flexible flyer
Riding a Flexible Flyer sled
To the bottom how fast I would go
The singer enjoys the thrill of sledding downhill at high speeds
Just waiting for me under the tree
The sled was waiting for the singer under the Christmas tree
And out in the snow
The artist sleds outside in the snow
A cowboy, a nurse or a fireman
There are many possible professions one can pursue
There's so many things that you can be
There are a multitude of career paths one can follow
You can set bigger goals, but set your soul
It is important to set goals that align with one's values and beliefs
Set your soul free
Pursue your passions and desires to achieve personal fulfillment
Times, places and situations
Different circumstances and events in life
Leads to an early grave
The stress of life can wear a person down and shorten their lifespan
When we get there we see
When we reach the end of our lives, we reflect on our choices and experiences
What did we save?
What did we gain or achieve during our lifetime?
If your heart is a flame burning brightly
If you are passionate and driven in life
You'll have light and you'll never be cold
Passion and drive can provide warmth and purpose in life
And soon you will know that you just grow
Personal growth is a lifelong journey
You're not growing old
Age does not define one's ability to grow and develop
If the wheels of your wagon are rusty
If you have obstacles or setbacks in life
You can paint them until they are new
It is possible to overcome obstacles and improve your situation
You can roll down a hill, but if you can't
You can enjoy the ride of life, but it is important to be able to handle challenges
Then I pity you
The artist empathizes with those who struggle to handle challenges in life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRANT VERNON HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind