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.

Newest Industry
Hüsker Dü Lyrics

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We been through mass destruction once but once was not enough
We said "we want a second chance" and all they say is "tough"

A world where science went too far, there's no way to survive
Why can't we get this thing straightened out 'cause I wanna stay alive

They burned and bombed the east and north and there's no place left to go
The Sun Belt's overcrowded so let's annex Mexico

The peso's only worth a dime but they've got all that land
There's no need for a civil war, we know they'll understand, right?

Is that how you like it?

Hah, factories left unattended, crumbling to the ground
We tried to keep them running but there's no more oil around

We used it all to fight a war that neither side could win
Hah, well, Vietnam was Little League compared to where we've been

Now we live in caves and huts and we don't have pay TV
And everyone is signing up for the newest industry

Standard oil goes solar power, all try to make a buck
I'll sit around, smoke cigarettes and I'll babble, "what the fuck?"

That's how I like it

Sign up, newest industry
The newest industry
We'll sign up for the newest industry
Yeah, we'll sign up
For the newest industry
Yeah, we'll sign up

Oh, oh, oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Husker Du's song Newest Industry address the fear of the consequences of unchecked technological and scientific advancement. The song is set in a dystopian future where society has already experienced mass destruction due to the misuse of science, yet the desire for progress and profit leads to the pursuit of a second chance. However, this pursuit is met with resistance and indifference from those in power. The desperation of the situation is evident in the suggestion to annex Mexico, as there is nowhere else left to go. The song highlights the consequences of industrialization and the depletion of resources as people are forced to live in caves and huts without access to modern amenities like pay TV. The chorus "sign up for the newest industry" suggests that even in a devastated world, people will still strive for progress and economic gain, leading them to embrace the next so-called "newest industry."

The song can be viewed as a commentary on the dangers of putting the pursuit of profit before the well-being of society and the planet. It touches on the human desire for progress and advancement, but also the reckless and often short-sighted manner in which we pursue it. The fear of unchecked scientific and technological advancement leading to the destruction of society is a theme that has been explored in various forms of art, and this song presents a bleak yet thought-provoking perspective on the topic.

Line by Line Meaning

We been through mass destruction once but once was not enough
We have experienced devastation before, but that event was not satisfactory enough for the proper change.

We said "we want a second chance" and all they say is "tough"
We requested another opportunity to prevent further destruction, but the response is unsympathetic.

A world where science went too far, there's no way to survive
The current world has reached the point where science has gone too far, and survival is nearly impossible.

Why can't we get this thing straightened out 'cause I wanna stay alive
Why can't we fix this problem, as I wish to live without having to worry about my safety?

They burned and bombed the east and north and there's no place left to go
The east and north areas have been destroyed by fire and bombs, leaving nowhere else to escape.

The Sun Belt's overcrowded so let's annex Mexico
Due to the overpopulation of the Sun Belt, it is suggested to annex Mexico as a more spacious option.

The peso's only worth a dime but they've got all that land
Although the Mexican peso's monetary value may be weak, there is abundant land available.

There's no need for a civil war, we know they'll understand, right?
An internal conflict is not necessary, and it is believed that Mexico will consent to the annexation.

Is that how you like it?
Questioning if this is an accepted or preferred course of action.

Hah, factories left unattended, crumbling to the ground
Factories are decaying and falling apart without proper maintenance.

We tried to keep them running but there's no more oil around
Attempts to preserve the factories were made, but the shortage of oil made it impossible to continue running them.

We used it all to fight a war that neither side could win
The entirety of the available oil was used in a war that did not result in a victor.

Hah, well, Vietnam was Little League compared to where we've been
The conflict in Vietnam was insignificant compared to the severity of events experienced.

Now we live in caves and huts and we don't have pay TV
The current living situation is in basic, primitive dwellings and without the luxury of cable television.

And everyone is signing up for the newest industry
The newest industry is becoming a popular choice for job opportunities among individuals.

Standard oil goes solar power, all try to make a buck
Standard oil is now transitioning towards solar power, creating a newfound interest in making profits off of this venture.

I'll sit around, smoke cigarettes and I'll babble, "what the fuck?"
I will idly take part in smoking cigarettes while questioning the status of the world.

We'll sign up for the newest industry
There is an intention to partake in the newest industry by signing up.

Yeah, we'll sign up
Confirmation of signing up for the newest industry.

Oh, oh, oh
A repeated vocalization, potentially indicating an emotional or stressed state.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BOB MOULD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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