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.

It's Not Funny Anymore
Hüsker Dü Lyrics

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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 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

Overall Meaning

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.