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.

Out On A Limb
Hüsker Dü Lyrics

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I'm goin' out
Out on a limb
It's getting pretty thin
It's gonna fall down

Saw all my friends
They were all hanging out on a limb
Yeah, and I get that limb breaks

They're gonna fall down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hüsker Dü's song "Out On A Limb" can be interpreted as a metaphor for taking risks or stepping out of one's comfort zone, and the potential consequences of doing so. The opening lines "I'm goin' out / Out on a limb / It's getting pretty thin / It's gonna fall down" suggest that the singer is aware of the danger involved in their actions, but is still willing to take the risk. The repetition of the phrase "It's gonna fall down" emphasizes the potential for failure or disaster.

The second verse provides additional context, with the singer seeing their friends also "hanging out on a limb" and acknowledging that if the limb were to break, they would all fall together. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the idea that taking risks can be easier and more comforting when others are doing it with you, but the consequences affect everyone involved.

Overall, the lyrics of "Out On A Limb" can be seen as a cautionary tale about the risks and potential consequences of taking chances and stepping out of one's comfort zone.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm goin' out
I'm taking a risk

Out on a limb
I'm putting myself in a vulnerable position

It's getting pretty thin
Things are becoming unstable

It's gonna fall down
There's a high chance of failure

Saw all my friends
I observed others in similar situations

They were all hanging out on a limb
They all took a risk and put themselves in vulnerable positions

Yeah, and I get that limb breaks
I understand that taking risks can lead to failure

They're gonna fall down
They will face consequences for their risks

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MOULD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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