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 Peculiar
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're living in a dream
Could you care enough while pausing on a thought?
Can you think of what you've got? (only you know what matters in your life)
When it's pouring out, you're pondering inside
And all the times you shouted, everybody cried
You've got to learn to compromise
It's not peculiar, there's nothing to devise at all, all right
At all, all right
At all, all right
At all, all right
On a stormy night, you're sitting on the floor
Is it nothing anymore?
Waking up to fix it, making up the fight
Will there be one more tonight? (some things we said will never wash away)
Taking all of this into another day
Recollections of the words we used to say
The times you looked into my eyes
Whispered vowing not to lie
It's not peculiar, there's nothing to devise at all, all right
At all, all right
At all, all right
At all, all right
Hear the telephone, it's raining in the fall
And you hope I never call
Sending messages that never get received
But we're trying, I believe (sometimes we wonder what our lives are for)
Taking all of this is taking all of me
Sometimes I wish I had the energy
When it falls apart like fragments of our lives
Give a little bit, and give a lot to die
It's not peculiar, there's nothing to devise at all, all right
At all, all right
At all, all right
At all, all right
At all, all right
At all, all right
At all, all right
At all
The song "It's Not Peculiar" by Hüsker Dü discusses the complexities of life and relationships. The lyrics suggest that life can sometimes feel like a dream, and it's important to pause and consider what truly matters. The song carries a message of compromise and empathy for others, urging the listener to learn to live inside of other people's lives. The repetition of the line "It's not peculiar, there's nothing to devise at all" at the end of each verse drives home the idea that life can be messy and unpredictable, but this is simply the nature of things, and there's no need to try and force a plan or solution.
The second verse brings in more imagery of storms and fights, emphasizing the challenges that can arise in relationships. The lyrics suggest that we carry with us recollections of past hurts and promises, and that in difficult times we need to work to give a little bit and compromise. Despite the strains on the relationship, the chorus repeats the message that there's no need to fight against this unpredictability - it's simply part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it sensible, life is what it seems
Questioning whether life is as straightforward as it appears
When you're living in a dream
When you feel disconnected from reality
Could you care enough while pausing on a thought?
Encouraging reflection and consideration
Can you think of what you've got? (only you know what matters in your life)
Recognizing the importance of personal values and priorities
When it's pouring out, you're pondering inside
Feeling overwhelmed on the outside, while internally thinking deeply
And all the times you shouted, everybody cried
Realizing the impact of harsh words
You've got to learn to compromise
Acknowledging the need for cooperation and understanding
To live inside the others' lives
Seeing the world from another's perspective
It's not peculiar, there's nothing to devise at all, all right
Accepting that life is not always predictable or controllable
On a stormy night, you're sitting on the floor
Feeling vulnerable and exposed
Is it nothing anymore?
Wondering if everything has lost meaning
Waking up to fix it, making up the fight
Confronting problems and working to resolve conflict
Will there be one more tonight? (some things we said will never wash away)
Fearing the persistence of hurtful memories
Taking all of this into another day
Carrying the weight of past experiences into the future
Recollections of the words we used to say
Reflecting on past conversations and interactions
The times you looked into my eyes
Remembering moments of intimacy and connection
Whispered vowing not to lie
Making promises of honesty and loyalty
Hear the telephone, it's raining in the fall
Feeling overwhelmed by external pressures
And you hope I never call
Avoiding difficult conversations or interactions
Sending messages that never get received
Feeling unheard or misunderstood
But we're trying, I believe (sometimes we wonder what our lives are for)
Recognizing effort in communication and finding purpose in life
Taking all of this is taking all of me
Experiencing emotional exhaustion
Sometimes I wish I had the energy
Longing for motivation and vitality
When it falls apart like fragments of our lives
Feeling like life is breaking apart and losing coherence
Give a little bit, and give a lot to die
Suggesting that effort and sacrifice may help in difficult times
It's not peculiar, there's nothing to devise at all, all right
Reaffirming acceptance of life's unpredictability
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Kazmierski
Thank you Husker Du and others here. It's good to share the planet with you. I've always revered this song. This morning I sang it while walking my dog. Aloud. > peace
Flapjack Texas
I do as well hey!
Andre McMillan
this is one of their best. every time i listen to this it gives me chills. Grant (RIP) backups are beautiful.
Flapjack Texas
Brilliant song
Bill Owen
This song always brings me back to having my 1st apartment and nobody telling me what to do.
Terry Monse
these words and the melody are so incredible. one of there best,truely miss this band
Flapjack Texas
To tears most times.
GotLotsaFaith
You said it.
GotLotsaFaith
Like most of Husker Du, this track only raises more questions than it answers. They really were the most mystical band of our age.
Ale_ditr
this song is stunning, a pop-rock masterpiece... huskers at their best