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.

Hate Paper Doll
Hüsker Dü Lyrics

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Hate paper doll
You never get cut, but you're looking at me
Hate paper doll
You never get back what you never could see

Paid for it all
Cut from a sack that you got on TV
Paid for it all,

Taking it back 'cause you wanted it free
Wanted it free now
You wanted to be just like me now, I say

Hate paper doll
You never get cut, but you're looking at me
Hate paper doll
You never get back what you never could see, I said

Hate paper doll
Hate paper doll
Hate paper doll
Hate paper doll

Taking it off, now
Cut from a sack that you got on TV, yeah who
Paid for 'em all
Taking it back, wanted it free
Wanted it free now
You say you wanted to be just like me, now, I said

Hate paper doll
You never get cut, but you're looking at me
Hate paper doll
You never get back what you never could see, I said

Hate paper doll
Hate paper doll
Hate paper doll
Hate paper doll

Hate, paper doll
Hate, paper doll
Hate, paper doll
Hate, paper doll

Hate paper
Hate paper ho

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Hate Paper Doll" by Hüsker Dü seem to be about the feeling of being objectified and controlled. The "paper doll" is a symbol for someone who is easily manipulated or controlled, as if they are just a lifeless paper cutout. The singer seems to feel frustrated by the way this "paper doll" is looking at them, as if they are trying to mimic or mirror their behavior.

The first verse seems to be about the idea of selling out or conforming to societal expectations. The "paper doll" has paid for everything they have in order to fit in, but they still feel unfulfilled and unable to see what truly matters. The second verse reveals that this "paper doll" was trying to be like the singer, perhaps idolizing or imitating them, but ultimately they are only a pale imitation.

The chorus repeats the idea that the "paper doll" never really gets anything out of their attempts to fit in or be like someone else. They cannot access the real rewards or experiences that come with authenticity and individuality. The final verse seems to be a call to action or rebellion. The "paper doll" is urged to take off the facade they have created for themselves and embrace something real.

Overall, the lyrics to "Hate Paper Doll" seem to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of selling out or conforming to fit in. The singer urges the "paper doll" to reject these tendencies and find something genuine instead.

Line by Line Meaning

Hate paper doll
I despise the superficial representation of a person in the form of a paper doll

You never get cut, but you're looking at me
You seem untouched and immune, but you are judging me

You never get back what you never could see
You will never receive what you were never able to envision or perceive

Paid for it all
You spent money to obtain your desired image

Cut from a sack that you got on TV
Your look and style were copied from a media source

Taking it back 'cause you wanted it free
You regret your decision, desiring to return or undo what you paid for

Wanted it free now
You now realize that what you wanted should have been obtained without cost

You wanted to be just like me now, I say
You desired to model your appearance after me, and now I comment on it

Taking it off, now
You are removing the clothing or style that you had previously obtained

Paid for 'em all
You purchased all of the items in question

You say you wanted to be just like me, now, I said
You claimed to want to emulate my image, and I previously commented on it