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.
I Apologize
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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They're floating all around
Making these assumptions brings me down
And you get tight-lipped, how do I know what you think?
Is it something I said when I lost my mind?
Temper too quick, makes me blind
Said I'm sorry, now it's your turn,
Can you look me in the eyes and apologize?
So now we sit around staring at the walls
We don't do anything at all
Take out the garbage, maybe, but the dishes don't get done
The song "I Apologize" by Hüsker Dü is a song about the complexities of communication in relationships. It seems that the singer and the person they are addressing have been engaging in a lot of gossip or spreading lies about each other, leading to a breakdown in communication. The singer recognizes that they have also contributed to the problem by losing their temper and saying things they didn't mean. They are trying to make amends by apologizing and asking the other person to do the same. However, the other person seems to be holding back and not expressing their true feelings, making it difficult for the singer to know where they stand.
The repeated calls for an apology suggest that the singer believes that an apology will help to clear the air and allow for more open and honest communication between them. However, the line "Is it something I said when I lost my mind?/Temper too quick, makes me blind" suggests that the singer is aware that their anger may have contributed to the breakdown in communication. The repeated use of the phrase "I apologize" underscores the importance of taking responsibility for one's own actions in order to move forward in a relationship.
Overall, the song is a poignant exploration of the difficulties of maintaining healthy communication in a relationship, and the importance of taking responsibility for one's own actions in order to repair damaged connections.
Line by Line Meaning
All these crazy mixed up lies
There are numerous false stories circulating, and it's not easy to discern which ones are true or not.
They're floating all around
Rumors and untruths are being spread widely.
Making these assumptions brings me down
Believing rumors and lies is leading to negative emotions.
And you get tight-lipped, how do I know what you think?
When you refuse to talk, it's hard to understand your thoughts or feelings.
Is it something I said when I lost my mind?
Did I unintentionally say something wrong when I was not in my right mind?
Temper too quick, makes me blind
Getting angry too quickly makes it harder to see things clearly.
I apologize
I am sorry.
Said I'm sorry, now it's your turn,
I apologized, now I'm waiting for you to do the same.
Can you look me in the eyes and apologize?
It would be better if you apologized to me directly and sincerely.
So now we sit around staring at the walls
We're bored and not doing anything productive.
We don't do anything at all
Our days are uneventful and meaningless.
Take out the garbage, maybe, but the dishes don't get done
We're not even doing simple household chores.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BOB MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind