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.
The Tooth Fairy and the Princess
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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Don't give up
Don't let go
Don't give up
Don't let go, don't let go
Don't let up
In your bed
Don't let go
Don't give in
In your bed
Don't give up
Don't let go, don't let go
In your bed
Don't give up
Don't let go, don't let go
Don't give in
Late at night
Don't give up
Don't let go, don't let go
Don't give in
Don't give up
Don't let go, don't let go
Don't give in
Late at night
Don't give up
Don't let go
Don't give in
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
The lyrics to Hüsker Dü's The Tooth Fairy and the Princess are repetitive in nature and iterate the importance of not giving up, not letting go, and not giving in. The repetition of these phrases portrays a sense of urgency and persistence. The lines about being in bed imply that the struggle or challenge being faced may be internal or emotional. The repetition of "late at night" also suggests a feeling of restlessness or insomnia, which may be related to the emotional turmoil being experienced.
The final line of "wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up" feels like a call to action, urging the listener to snap out of whatever mental state they are in and take control. It may also suggest a sense of urgency that is building throughout the song, culminating in a need to act.
Overall, the lyrics of The Tooth Fairy and the Princess are open to interpretation, but they convey a sense of perseverance and refusing to give up in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't give up
Keep pushing forward and stay resilient
Don't let go
Stay steadfast in your pursuits
Don't let up
Remain persistent and focused
Don't give in
Stay committed to your goals and beliefs
In your bed
Even in times of vulnerability and weakness, don't lose sight of your purpose
Late at night
In moments of darkness and doubt, keep fighting and moving forward
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Emphasizes the urgency and importance of not giving up or losing hope
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BOB MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind