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.
No Reservations
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's different every day
I get my thoughts from a letter that's lost
That someone threw away
It says, "don't give up, 'cause you can't give away"
The thought's appreciated
Now at the best, you've second-guessed
And never should you have waited
(Never changes, the things I feel inside
Sit by a lake and cry
Like a shingle on a roof in a windstorm
Should I let loose and fly?)
An overpass, and some corn in a field
With fat birds on the line
A dented guardrail, immaculate bumper
Protecting your design
A broken-down shack with a pond in the back
Laundry out to dry
And some of them barren, and some of them whole
All of them have no time
(Never changes, the things I feel inside
Sit by a lake and cry
Like a shingle on a roof in a windstorm
Should I let loose and fly?)
Come along with me
Come along with me
Come along, come along with me
We'll go to places that we have never seen
And if we're together, we'll have a happy time
'Cause I got no reservations, no
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na ('cause I got no reservations)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na ('cause I got no reservations)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na ('cause I got no reservations)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na ('cause I got no reservations)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
The lyrics to Hüsker Dü’s song No Reservations seem to describe a feeling of uncertainty and confusion in the midst of an ever-changing world. The first two stanzas describe the difficulty in processing the news and information that inundate us daily, as well as the sense of helplessness that can result from feeling like we cannot control or make sense of it all. The third stanza paints a picture of rural scenery that might be associated with a simpler life, but even here the imperfections and limitations of the world are evident. Despite all of this, the chorus offers a glimmer of hope in the idea of exploring new places and experiences with someone else, without any reservations or expectations.
The repeated phrase “never changes, the things I feel inside” could be interpreted in a few different ways. It could suggest a sense of stagnation or stuckness, as though the singer is unable to move past certain emotions or thoughts. Alternatively, it could reflect a certain consistency or stability in the singer’s internal landscape, even amidst the chaos and uncertainty of external events. The idea of sitting by a lake and crying could be seen as either a moment of emotional release or a feeling of despair, depending on how the listener interprets it. The shingle on a roof in a windstorm might evoke a feeling of precariousness or instability, as though the singer is teetering on the edge of something.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear some news, I read the words
The singer is exposed to a constant stream of news and information through various media.
It's different every day
The news and information that the singer receives is always changing and never consistent.
I get my thoughts from a letter that's lost
The singer finds inspiration in unexpected places, such as a discarded letter.
That someone threw away
The inspiration that the artist finds is often disregarded or overlooked by others.
It says, "don't give up, 'cause you can't give away"
The letter contains a message of hope and encouragement, urging the reader to persevere in the face of adversity.
The thought's appreciated
The singer is grateful for the positive message in the letter and acknowledges its impact on their mindset.
Now at the best, you've second-guessed
Despite the message of hope in the letter, the singer still experiences doubt and uncertainty at times.
And never should you have waited
The artist realizes that they should not have hesitated or delayed in pursuing their goals or aspirations.
An overpass, and some corn in a field
The artist describes a rural landscape, featuring familiar sights and simple views of nature.
With fat birds on the line
The artist notices the birds perched on a wire, adding life to the otherwise static landscape.
A dented guardrail, immaculate bumper
Details of the man-made structures in the landscape are observed and contrasted with their natural surroundings.
Protecting your design
The structures are meant to serve a purpose, but also contribute to a sense of order and design in the environment.
A broken-down shack with a pond in the back
Another example of a simple, rustic dwelling is noted, along with a small body of water nearby.
Laundry out to dry
The hanging clothes give a sense of domesticity and everyday life in the countryside.
And some of them barren, and some of them whole
Overall, the landscape features both abandoned and thriving elements, reflecting the cyclical nature of growth and decay.
All of them have no time
Despite their differences, all of the elements in the landscape are subject to the passage of time and eventual decay.
Come along with me
The artist invites the listener to join them on a journey or adventure.
We'll go to places that we have never seen
The singer promises to take the listener to new and unexplored destinations.
And if we're together, we'll have a happy time
The singer suggests that companionship and shared experiences will lead to happiness and fulfillment.
'Cause I got no reservations, no
The artist is open-minded and free of preconceived notions or doubts, allowing them to fully embrace new experiences and opportunities.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BOB MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Markus Antonio
I love the ending, starting at 1:35 with the beautiful wall of sound from Mould's droning guitar. And, of course the rest of the group perfecting it
Victoria Gardner
Certainly one of the most gloriously romantic songs I've ever heard! Love You Bob!!!
tracehazarrrrd
warehouse the album is a masterpiece. just thought I'd insert my own little opinion there.
Alan St. Laurent
My favorite on Warehouse. It matched my mood for most of the 80's and how miserable it was.
Corrado Siciliano
One of the best albums ever!!! Went through some hard times listening to it. Very helpful and inspiring. Bob rules!!! Greetings from Tenerife Spain by an Italian husker du fan!😎 peace
Bryton's Thoughts
One of the most underrated songs by the Du.
Just, wow.
frode
1.35-say 2.35 is pure transcendental existential bliss...Even if one of the guitareffects sounds like a stable spinning chainsaw...
andxmenx
this song is deeply, so deeply related to some of my memories and relationships that I urge to listen to it as sometimes I like to see old pictures: helps me to recall what I did, was and become. If I ever write a song, I think, I would be flattered if someone use it to get back in time !
David Evans
Listening to this 20 years later or whatever... revelation to my ears how fantastic it is!
Southend Busker
When i was around 18 i used to busk(playing guitar on the streets), I'd take breaks in a local carpark to count my money while listening to this album(this song in particular)...very vivid memories "we'll go to places weve never seen)