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.
Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I go up to her cabin still
She keeps a lantern lit for me
And a bottle up on her mantelpiece
She's the girl who lives on heaven hill
She's got a big room and it's always a mess
A worn out smile that she'll wear some more
And a worn out welcome mat by her door
I'd trade big mountains and rooms full of gold
For just one look at the beauty of this woman's soul
Up on heaven hill is where I wanna be
That girl that bottle that mattress and me
The lyrics to Hüsker Dü's song Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill describe the singer's admiration for a woman who lives in a cabin on a hill. The repetition of the phrase "girl who lives on heaven hill" suggests that the singer is in awe of this woman and the peaceful, idyllic life that she leads. The chorus, "She's the girl who lives on heaven hill," reinforces this admiration and suggests that the woman is a sort of divine being, living in a paradise that is unattainable to others.
There are several details in the lyrics that suggest the woman's simple, rustic lifestyle. She keeps a lantern lit for the singer, suggesting that she lives without electricity, and a bottle up on her mantelpiece, suggesting that she lives off the land and perhaps makes her own wine. The second stanza describes the woman's humble living conditions, with the repetition of the phrase "worn out" emphasizing her lack of material wealth. However, the singer stresses that he would trade all the riches in the world for just one look at the woman's soul.
Overall, the song celebrates the beauty and simplicity of a life lived close to nature, and suggests that true happiness and contentment can be found in the company of a kindred spirit. The repetition of the phrase "heaven hill" reinforces the idea that this woman and her home are a sort of paradise, and the singer longs to be close to her and to share in her simple, peaceful life.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a girl who lives on heaven hill
The singer knows of a girl who lives on a hill named heaven and is introducing her.
I go up to her cabin still
The singer visits the girl despite the distance and any inconvenience.
She keeps a lantern lit for me
The girl makes accommodations for the singer by keeping a lantern lit as a guide in the dark.
And a bottle up on her mantelpiece
The girl keeps a bottle on her mantelpiece, indicating that she may occasionally drink or host intimate gatherings.
She's the girl who lives on heaven hill
Reiteration of the girl's identity and her significance to the artist.
She's got a big room and it's always a mess
Despite having a sizable living space, the girl's room is consistently untidy.
Worn out shoes and a worn out dress
The girl's clothing is old and appears frequently worn.
A worn out smile that she'll wear some more
The girl is in need of emotional or mental rejuvenation, but continues to put on a smiling disposition.
And a worn out welcome mat by her door
The mat at the entrance of the girl's cabin is also old and has been used many times over.
I'd trade big mountains and rooms full of gold
The artist would give up grandeur and wealth for something more intangible.
For just one look at the beauty of this woman's soul
The singer values the inner beauty of the girl more than material possessions.
Up on heaven hill is where I wanna be
The artist desires to be with the girl on the hill named heaven.
That girl that bottle that mattress and me
The singer wants to be with the girl and also mentions the presence of a bottle and a mattress, possibly indicating a romantic or intimate setting.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GRANT VERNON HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gerross
RIP Grant Hart if this was the only song you wrote you'd still be one of the greatest.
@mcbillygoat2413
This song is in a class of its own, like Grant was.
@senoralecthompson9589
Can't like this comment enough. Incidentally, Heaven Hill was a brand of (cheap) liquor.
So this song was about an alcoholic, likely Grants attempt to face his own (addiction)
demons.
@christophercasey6775
This is the song that got me into Husker Du. I thank Martha Quinn of MTV for introducing this critically acclaimed band from Minneapolis. Once the opening riff came, I was in heaven. My jaw dropped, and became an instant fan.
@archimedesnation
Nobody will EVER come close to this band. EVER.
@santiagobenites
I agree.
@chetrok1
Land speed record changed my perception of life
@commandernelson1584
Nope never
@Moneyaddthenmultiply
👊
@bradbanghart3039
Changed my life.