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.
Signals from Above
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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Can't see a thing cause your eyes are closed
Dirt cheap love is a thing of the past
I feel hate cause I move fast
You think the whole world is incense, peace and love
You can't escape the signals from above.
The lyrics in Hüsker Dü's song "Signals From Above" bring to mind the idea of someone stuck in the past and unable to move forward. The first two lines suggest that the person is like a relic or a ghost, essentially irrelevant to the present. Their closed eyes indicate a refusal to see things as they are, instead choosing to cling to outdated ways of thinking. The line "Dirt cheap love is a thing of the past" further reinforces the idea that the person is holding onto old ideals that no longer hold true.
The second stanza suggests that this person is living in a delusion, believing that the world is full of peace and love. The line "You can't escape the signals from above" implies that the truth is out there, but the person is unwilling or unable to see it. It's possible that the "signals from above" refer to messages from a higher power or simply observations from those who are more aware of reality.
Overall, the lyrics of "Signals From Above" paint a picture of someone who is out of touch with the world around them, stuck in the past, and unwilling to see the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
You're like a relic, you're like a ghost
You are akin to a remnant of the past, a haunting memory
Can't see a thing cause your eyes are closed
Your lack of vision impedes your ability to understand the present
Dirt cheap love is a thing of the past
There was a time when love was easy, but not anymore
I feel hate cause I move fast
My rapid pace of life fuels negative emotions
You think the whole world is incense, peace and love
Your naivety leads you to believe the world is all harmony and positivity
You can't escape the signals from above.
You cannot elude the messages and meanings that come from a higher power
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BOB MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind