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.

What Do I Want?
Hüsker Dü Lyrics

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What do I want?
What will make me happy?
What do I want?
What will make me happy?
Nothing, nothing, nothing

What do I want?
What will make me happy?

What do I want?
What will make me happy?
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing

What do I want?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Hüsker Dü's song What Do I Want? could be interpreted as a reflection on the struggles of self-discovery and the pursuit of happiness. The repeated questioning of "What do I want?" and "What will make me happy?" suggests the singer's frustration and confusion in finding a fulfilling path in life. The repetition of "nothing, nothing, nothing" in response to these questions can also be seen as a statement on the emptiness and futility of material desires and societal expectations.

The song's sparse instrumentation and Bob Mould's raw vocals add to the sense of despair and uncertainty conveyed in the lyrics. The lack of a concrete answer to the question of what the singer wants or needs highlights the difficulty of finding meaning and purpose in a world that often prioritizes material success over personal fulfillment. Overall, What Do I Want? is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the search for happiness and purpose in life.

Line by Line Meaning

What do I want?
What is it that I desire or need in my life?

What will make me happy?
What is the key to my happiness and contentment?

What do I want?
What is the thing that will bring me joy or satisfaction?

What will make me happy?
What is the solution to my emotional well-being and fulfillment?

Nothing, nothing, nothing
I have come to the realization that nothing material or tangible will truly bring me happiness.

What do I want?
What is the missing piece in my life that I need to discover?

What will make me happy?
What is the ultimate goal that I need to attain in order to achieve happiness?

What do I want?
What is the purpose or desire that I must fulfill in order to find fulfillment in life?

What will make me happy?
What is the key to finding true joy and satisfaction in this world?

Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
I have realized that true happiness resides not in material possessions, but in inner peace and contentment.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRANT VERNON HART

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