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.
Pink Turns to Blue
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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Celebrating every day the way she thought it should be
And I don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
And I don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
Standing up for me and like a tree for what she believed
And I don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
And I don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
Don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
I don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
No more rope and too much dope, she's lying on the bed
Angels pacing, gently placing roses 'round her head
And I don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
Now I don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
And I don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
Now I don't know what to do
"Pink Turns to Blue" is a melancholy song by Hüsker Dü that is widely interpreted to be about a woman's drug addiction and eventual death. The song opens with the singer stating that the woman is not a prostitute, but is rather someone who goes out every day to score drugs, something that is not surprising given that the color pink has turned to blue, implying that the woman's world has become darker and sadder, and that she has seemingly lost her innocence. The lyrics suggest that the woman was once carefree and celebratory, but her addiction has taken a toll.
Throughout the song, the singer's connection with the woman is emphasized; she has always supported him and believed in what he does, much like a tree stands firm. However, the woman's addiction is now the focal point, and she has succumbed to her demons. The singer is left in a state of despair, not knowing what to do now that pink has turned to blue. In the final verse, the woman is lying on a bed, likely dying from an overdose, while angels pace around her, gently placing roses around her head. The image is a powerful one, and the sense of loss is palpable.
Overall, "Pink Turns to Blue" is a haunting and emotional song that deals with the complex topic of addiction, its impact on relationships, and the ultimate consequences of such a destructive force.
Line by Line Meaning
Going out each day to score, she was no whore but for me
She would go out every day to find drugs, but she wasn't selling her body for the drugs, only for me.
Celebrating every day the way she thought it should be
She would celebrate each day exactly how she wanted to, without any regrets.
She was always by my side and never tried to leave
She was always there for me and never once considered leaving me.
Standing up for me and like a tree for what she believed
She would stand up for me and her beliefs, like an unmovable tree.
No more rope and too much dope, she's lying on the bed
She has run out of options and has taken too many drugs, and she is now lying in bed.
Angels pacing, gently placing roses 'round her head
The angels are patiently waiting for her to pass on and are placing roses around her head as a peaceful gesture.
And I don't know what to do
Now that pink has turned to blue
The singer is lost and unsure of what to do now that their loved one has died.
Now I don't know what to do
The artist still feels lost and unsure after their loved one's passing.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GRANT HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind