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.
Private Plane
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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To go by bus or to go by car
Is the way too far, you couldn't say
You won't get there anyway
He says it takes a private plane
But you could never get back to your feet again
Unless you break the ball and chain
Oh oh, it's a private plane
Oh oh, it's a private plane
Oh oh, it's a private plane
With all these places in your mind
There's no reason you have to find
Your private plane
Don't play that game
He says it takes a private plane
But you could never get back to your feet again
Unless you break the ball and chain
He says now, "Oh oh, it's a private plane"
Oh oh, it's a private plane
Oh oh, it's a private plane
Oh oh, it's a private plane
He says it takes a private plane
But you could never get back to your feet again
Unless you break the ball and chain
He says now, "Oh oh, it's a private plane"
Oh oh, it's a private plane
Oh oh, it's a private plane
Oh oh, it's a private plane, oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
The song "Private Plane" by Hüsker Dü reflects on the desire to escape and travel to the farthest star. The lyrics portray a conversation where one person is seeking advice on how to reach the farthest star. The other person responds that the only way to get there is by taking a private plane. However, taking a private plane comes with a cost, one that could leave them unable to return to their life before. The phrase "break the ball and chain" suggests that taking the private plane means abandoning their current life and responsibilities.
The song is highlighting the need for people to escape their mundane everyday lives while also acknowledging the fear of taking risks and venturing into the unknown. The idea of travel and exploration is used as a metaphor for escaping the monotony of everyday life. The lyrics imply that anyone can achieve this sense of escapism, but it comes with significant risks and potential downsides.
Overall, "Private Plane" is a song that encourages listeners to dream big and pursue the unknown, but it also warns of the potential consequences that come with taking risks.
Line by Line Meaning
You ask how far the farthest star is
You want to know the extent of what is possible
To go by bus or to go by car
You're considering different methods of getting there, but aren't sure if they'll work
Is the way too far, you couldn't say
You're uncertain if it's even possible to get to your destination
You won't get there anyway
You believe you won’t be able to achieve your goal
He says it takes a private plane
Someone suggests that a different approach is necessary
But you could never get back to your feet again
Making this change will be transformative and could be difficult to undo
Unless you break the ball and chain
Unless you make a significant, disruptive change
He says now, "Oh oh, it's a private plane"
Someone suggests this new approach will be challenging, but ultimately worth it
With all these places in your mind
You have a lot of ideas about what you want to achieve
There's no reason you have to find
It's okay if you don't achieve everything you want to
Your private plane
Your unique path to success
Don't play that game
Don't settle for someone else's idea of success
Oh oh, it's a private plane
This new approach will be transformative and difficult
Oh oh oh
Reinforcement of the transformative nature of the change
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BOB MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind