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.
Green Eyes
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a million other guys
I feel so lucky when I look
In those green eyes
Is it the sun
That makes them so green
Those are the prettiest eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
What makes them sparkle
What makes them shine
What makes those eyes of yours
Look into mine
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
It's a great big world
There's a million other guys
I feel so lucky when I look
In those green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
The song "Green Eyes" by Hüsker Dü is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and how captivating a person's eyes can be. The opening lines set the context, reminding the listener of the vastness of the world and the multitude of people in it. Despite this, the singer feels lucky to have found someone special, someone whose beauty is encapsulated in their vivid green eyes. The repeated refrain of "blue green eyes" highlights the mesmerizing quality of these eyes that seem to change color depending on the light.
The second verse builds on this theme, expressing wonder about what creates the sparkle and shine that draws the singer's gaze. The final chorus brings the song full circle, repeating the opening lines and emphasizing the sense of gratitude and awe the singer feels for the person with the green eyes.
The lyrics of "Green Eyes" are simple, yet powerful. They capture a universal feeling of falling in love and being completely mesmerized by someone's unique features. The song is a testament to the magic of love and how it can make even the great big world feel like it's just two people together.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a great big world
The world is vast and there are many opportunities.
There's a million other guys
There are many other people in this world.
I feel so lucky when I look
I feel fortunate when I gaze.
In those green eyes
In the beautiful green eyes of the person I love.
Is it the sun
I wonder if it's the brightness of the sun.
That makes them so green
That causes those eyes to turn green in color.
Those are the prettiest eyes
Those eyes are the most beautiful I have ever seen.
I have ever seen
In all of my life, I have never seen anything prettier.
What makes them sparkle
I wonder what makes them twinkle so brightly.
What makes them shine
I wonder what causes them to emit such a radiant glow.
What makes those eyes of yours
I wonder what causes your eyes to appear so beautiful.
Look into mine
I wish those eyes would look into mine and capture my heart.
Blue green eyes
The color shade of those sparkling eyes.
Blue green eyes
The color shade of those sparkling eyes.
Blue green eyes
The color shade of those sparkling eyes.
Blue green eyes
The color shade of those sparkling eyes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRANT VERNON HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vanquishingrace5043
It's a great big world
There's a million other guys
I feel so lucky when I look
In those green eyes
Is it the sun
That makes them so green
Those are the prettiest eyes
I have ever seen
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
What makes them sparkle
What makes them shine
What makes those eyes of yours
Look into mine
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
It's a great big world
There's a million other guys
I feel so lucky when I look
In those green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
Blue green eyes
@curly_wyn
It's a great big world
There's a million other guys
I feel so lucky when I look
In those green eyes
Is it the sun
That makes them so green?
Those are the prettiest eyes
I have ever seen
Green eyes...
What makes them sparkle?
What makes them shine?
What makes those eyes of yours
Look into mine?
Green eyes...
@MogulClown
It's really almost hypnotic. One of my very favorite Husker Du songs.
@stickwork17
This song is beautiful and haunting. Husker Du rules.
@weezadam
they were pretty much like Lennon and McCartney. Hart being McCartney and Mould being Lennon. The pair was just as prolific as The Beatles were and their entire repertoire is phenomenal and timeless music
@dj-um7el
They are as good as The Beatles!
@deathfromabove77
one of the most beautiful rock songs ever...love Bob Mould but Grant Hart songs ( Books about UFO/Terms of Psychic Warfare/Pink turns to Blue/Diane/She's A Woman now she is a man/Flexible Flyer/Don't Wanna know if you are lonely/ etc) were always my favourite..particularly the other-worldly beauty of Green Eyes
@chuckm4540
I've been going through my album collection after Grant's passing and I'm realizing most of my favorite Husker Du songs are Grant Hart songs. I never realized that until now - with age comes wisdom I guess?
@atthesunrise
Yeah, everybody knows the Grant songs are the best ones :-)
@danielvincent3473
Too much spice.
@bradleyheck7204
@Daniel Vincent And walking around Minneapolis in wintertime wearing sandals.
@rclamber1
Best love song ever written. I still tear up when I hear it sometimes.