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.
Whatever
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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He doesn't get along with the outside world, he'd rather be alone
Sometimes when it's late at night, he starts to wonder why
The plans he made can never happen so all he does is cry
His parents, they can't understand why their son, he turned out wrong
He runs away from all the pain, forgets them when he's gone
He'd rather be all by himself because his plans they seem the best
He finally gets the nerve one day, now life becomes a test
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
Mom and dad, don't worry
I'm not the son you wanted but what could you expect?
I've made my world of happiness to combat your neglect
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
Mom and dad, don't worry
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
Mom and dad, don't worry, don't worry, don't worry
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Yeah-yeah, what you say, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
The song "Whatever" by Hüsker Dü revolves around a troubled individual who lives in his imagination and finds solace in the company of his fictional friends. He doesn't get along with the outside world and would rather be alone. At night, he is plagued by thoughts of the plans that can never happen and this makes him cry. The song implies that he may have been neglected and misunderstood by his parents, which has led to his mistrust of the outside world. He feels guilty for not living up to their expectations, but at the same time, he has found a way to combat their neglect by creating his own world of happiness.
The song highlights the pain and suffering of individuals who are struggling to find a place in the world. The lyrics are full of emotion and convey the idea of loneliness and isolation. The chorus emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and choice, urging the listener to choose their own path in life, whatever it may be.
Line by Line Meaning
He lives in his imagination with those friends of his very own
He spends most of his time daydreaming about his imaginary friends rather than dealing with the real world.
He doesn't get along with the outside world, he'd rather be alone
He prefers being alone because he finds it difficult to fit in with other people and their ways.
Sometimes when it's late at night, he starts to wonder why
In his quiet moments, he questions his existence and the fate he has been dealt with in life.
The plans he made can never happen so all he does is cry
Most of his goals and dreams in life never materialize, causing him to feel down and helpless.
His parents, they can't understand why their son, he turned out wrong
His parents are at a loss to explain why their child has turned out to be a social misfit in the society.
He runs away from all the pain, forgets them when he's gone
He escapes his reality and distances himself from the people that hurt him to find some temporary relief.
He'd rather be all by himself because his plans they seem the best
He prefers solitude as it permits him to have full control over his thoughts and plans, more than anyone else.
He finally gets the nerve one day, now life becomes a test
He decides to take charge of his life and make his own decisions, but struggles to deal with the consequences of his choices.
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
He acknowledges his shortcomings and apologizes to his parents for not being the child they wanted him to be.
Mom and dad, don't worry
He assures his parents that their disapproval would not deter him from finding happiness on his own terms.
I'm not the son you wanted but what could you expect?
He feels like a disappointment to his parents realizing that he has not lived up to their expectations.
I've made my world of happiness to combat your neglect
He has created his own world of joy to combat the isolation he feels as his parents fail to connect with him emotionally.
Yeah-yeah, what you say, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
The repeated chorus is a mantra of sorts, repeating that whatever he does in the future, he will do things on his own terms and will accept the consequences of his choices.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BOB MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind