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.
Lifeline
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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This time I can't be late
I've got to find my destiny
Before it turns to fate
I feel so insecure, I feel so all alone
I need something, some possession of my own
I see it in my sleep
It's hard to get a hold of it
And it's twice as hard to keep
Someone help me lifeline
I grab the rope in front of me
It keeps slipping through my hands
I try to climb with all of my strength
But it trickles through like sand
This feeling's too secure, it's like a ball and chain
Yeah, I know there's something dragging in my brain
Now another rope appears
I've got it snug and tight
This is one that I can't let go of
No matter how I fight
The lyrics to Hüsker Dü's song Lifeline express a sense of urgency and desperation to find one's purpose in life before it's too late. The singer is running out of time and needs to find their destiny before it becomes a predetermined fate. They feel insecure and alone and are searching for something that they can call their own. The lyrics suggest that the object of their desire is difficult to obtain and even harder to hold onto.
The first verse describes the singer's fear of missing out on their destiny. They cannot afford to be late because the opportunity may not present itself again. The second verse expresses the singer's insecurity and loneliness. They are looking for something to give them a sense of purpose and belonging. The chorus, "Someone help me lifeline", is a cry for help from someone who feels like they are drowning.
The third verse is about the struggle to obtain the object of their desire. The singer grasps at what they want, but it keeps slipping away like sand through their fingers. In the fourth verse, another opportunity arises, and the singer is determined not to let it slip away. This time, they hold on tight and refuse to let go, no matter how difficult it becomes.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm running out of time this time
Feeling like time is running out and there's a sense of urgency.
This time I can't be late
Cannot afford to be delayed anymore.
I've got to find my destiny
Determined to discover one's purpose in life.
Before it turns to fate
Before one loses control of their life to predetermined outcomes.
I feel so insecure, I feel so all alone
Experiencing self-doubt and a sense of loneliness.
I need something, some possession of my own
Looking for something to call one's own.
I reach for what I want
Determined to get what one desires.
I see it in my sleep
Constantly thinking and dreaming about achieving one's goal.
It's hard to get a hold of it
Facing obstacles in attaining one's goal.
And it's twice as hard to keep
Maintaining one's achievement is harder than getting there.
Someone help me lifeline
Asking for assistance to avoid failure.
I grab the rope in front of me
Taking hold of an opportunity.
It keeps slipping through my hands
Struggling to maintain control of the opportunity.
I try to climb with all of my strength
Putting all one's effort into succeeding.
But it trickles through like sand
The opportunity is slipping away regardless of the effort.
This feeling's too secure, it's like a ball and chain
The achieved goal feels like an anchor weighing down the person.
Yeah, I know there's something dragging in my brain
Feeling weighed down by negative thoughts.
Now another rope appears
Another opportunity presents itself.
I've got it snug and tight
Managed to firmly grasp this opportunity.
This is one that I can't let go of
Determined to not lose hold of this opportunity.
No matter how I fight
Regardless of the obstacles faced, determined to hold on to this opportunity.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind