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.
It's Not Funny Anymore
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can say what you want to say
You can think what you think you want
It doesn't matter anyway
It's not funny anymore
Play what you want to play
Don't worry about the result
Or the effect it has on your career
Act like you want to act
Be what you want to be
Find out who you really are
And don't pay any attention to me
The lyrics in Hüsker Dü's song It's Not Funny Anymore appears to be a message of liberation and self-realization. The opening lines urge listeners to break free from the expectations of society and pursue their desires, regardless of what others may think. The theme of rebellion continues as the singer insists that listeners should engage in activities that they enjoy and think freely without worrying about the consequences.
The chorus, "It's not funny anymore," can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, it could be a commentary on the state of society, indicating that our culture has lost its sense of humor and become too serious. Alternatively, it could be a condemnation of those who continue to mock or belittle those who don't conform to traditional norms.
Overall, the song seems to be an anthem for individuality and liberation. The singer encourages listeners to find themselves and to be true to who they are without concern for the opinions of others.
Line by Line Meaning
You can do what you want to do
You have the freedom to act on your choices.
You can say what you want to say
Express your thoughts freely without any restrictions or fears.
You can think what you think you want
You are entitled to your own beliefs, and they are valid.
It doesn't matter anyway
Your actions and words should not be based on anyone else's opinions or approval.
It's not funny anymore
The situation has lost its humor and no longer warrants laughter.
Play what you want to play
Engage in the things you enjoy without external influence.
Hear what you want to hear
Listen to things that interest or inspire you instead of following the mainstream.
Don't worry about the result
The outcome should not be your primary concern.
Or the effect it has on your career
Your passions should not be hindered by their possible impact on your job.
Act like you want to act
Be true to yourself and behave as you wish.
Be what you want to be
Don't allow social expectations to dictate your identity or interests.
Find out who you really are
Discover your true self and follow your intuition.
And don't pay any attention to me
Ignore what others think or say, and focus on your own path.
Contributed by Alexis B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
willieluncheonette
SECOND SONG WE'RE HEARING FROM HUSKER DU'S METAL CIRCUS E.P. IN 1983. ANOTHER WONDERFUL SONG.
You can do what you want to do
You can say what you want to say
You can think what you think you want
It doesn't matter anyway
It's not funny anymore
Play what you want to play
Hear what you want to hear
Don't worry about the result
Or the effect is has on your career
Act like you want to act
Be what you want to be
Find out who you really are
And don't pay any attention to me
PeteMemes
You can do what you want to do
You can say what you want to say
You can think what you think you want
It doesn't matter anyway
It's not funny anymore
It's not funny anymore
Play what you want to play
Hear what you wanna hear
Don't worry about the result
Or the effect it has on your career
It's not funny anymore
It's not funny anymore
Act like you want to act
Be what you want to be
Find out who you really are
And don't pay any attention to me
It's not funny anymore
It's not funny anymore
It's not funny anymore
It's not funny anymore
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Grant Vernon Hart
The Sea Over Sand
RIP, Mr. Grant Hart. This was the song--my first intro to Husker Du. KCSB (Santa Barbara), 1984, rainy day, recorded straight to a blank cassette. Best song recorded that afternoon of college radio. 15 years old then, I'm 48 now. Saw them three times not long after. This and "Turn On The News" will still be here long after we're all gone. .
seapinesglow
If not for Grant’s melodic songwriting we would in my opinion not have the beginnings of Emocore DC scene. This tune alone influenced the whole DC mid 80s scene and gave a new direction during the Revolution Summer to bands like Grey Matter, Dag Nasty, and Rain just to name a few. Later it would find its way to the melodic sounds of CA bands Samiam and Jawbreaker. Grant never truly got recognized as much as he should have when he was here. At least we have his beautiful music to remember him by. RIP Grant Hart, one of a kind.
Jacob Christensen
I was thinking the other day that this sounds just as emo as Rites Of Spring’s For Want Of, especially the part with the harmonics.
Rafael Moreira
I remember when i listened this song for the first time and it was a cover by LIFETIME it was in 1995 i think and that´s the way i discorvered husker du. So I started listening all husker du stuff and got crazy cause they´re one of my favorite bands nowadays.
L G
SAME. Except for me it probably like 2000. Being an elder Millennial is weird
Ricardo Potoroo
Yeah i also first heard the Lifetime version. Love both. Glad to have heard this one too! Love how raw it is.
Creep Church
Grant Hart was the best lyricist of his time and now, gone entirely too soon. R.I.P.
THX1138
Great tune. Saw them a couple times in the 80's. One of my favourite concert memories was seeing them at Pink Pop (I think it was) Festival in Holland- they just kept playing ferociously I guess past their allotted time. Guys were coming on stage signalling for them to stop but they just kept right on playing. I think they finally cut the power on them. Anyways, I laughed my bag off.
Bradley Heck
Sounds very, very like.
Bradley Heck
This song has served me as a profoundly good guide through life up my life up to this, my 50th Climacteric Year. Hopefully it will serve me well for some time yet.