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.

Gilligan's Island
Hüsker Dü Lyrics

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Gilligan's Island
Is where I wanna be
I wanna fuck Ginger
Underneath a big palm tree
I wanna make the professor
Make some good drugs for me
Oh Gilligan's Island
Is where I wanna be

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hüsker Dü's song "Gilligan's Island" reflect a desire for a carefree and unrestricted lifestyle away from the constraints of the real world. The reference to "Gilligan's Island" represents a longing for a place of escape, where the singer can be free from the responsibilities and pressures of everyday life. The island becomes symbolic of a paradise-like destination, where the singer desires to reside.

The line "I wanna fuck Ginger" represents a fantasy or desire for sexual liberation and exploration. Ginger, a character from the TV show "Gilligan's Island," is often portrayed as an attractive and seductive woman. The desire to engage in an intimate encounter with Ginger metaphorically represents a longing for uninhibited pleasure and indulgence.

The mention of being beneath a big palm tree further enhances the imagery of a tropical paradise. Palm trees are often associated with beaches, leisure, and relaxation. By positioning the act of intimacy with Ginger underneath a palm tree, the lyrics amplify the idea of fulfilling desires in a natural, serene, and idyllic setting.

The reference to the professor making drugs suggests an inclination towards hedonism and experimentation with mind-altering substances. The singer desires the professor's knowledge and ability to create drugs that presumably provide an escape from reality and intensify experiences. This desire for substance-induced liberation further emphasizes the longing for a world free from constraints and inhibitions.

Overall, the lyrics of "Gilligan's Island" encapsulate a yearning for a paradise-like destination where the singer can engage in unrestrained pleasure, embodying a desire to escape the mundane and embrace a life of carefree enjoyment and self-indulgence.

Line by Line Meaning

Gilligan's Island
A place that captures my desire and longing

Is where I wanna be
It is the ultimate destination that I yearn to reach

I wanna fuck Ginger
I have a strong sexual attraction towards Ginger

Underneath a big palm tree
In a serene and natural environment filled with tranquility

I wanna make the professor
I desire to influence and control the professor

Make some good drugs for me
To create substances with desirable effects for my own use

Oh Gilligan's Island
Oh, what an enticing place Gilligan's Island is!

Is where I wanna be
It continues to be the ultimate destination that I yearn to reach

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LORENZ HART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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