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.
You Can Live at Home
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now please correct me if I'm wrong
The story goes that I'm not terribly impressed
I guess I've known it all along
(Walk, walk, walk away)
(Walk, walk, walk away) (keep on)
(Walk, walk, walk away) (keep on)
(Walk, walk, walk away) (keep on walking)
(Walk, walk, walk away) (keep on walking away)
(Walk, walk, walk away)
Figured it out that I was wasting all my time
And time was eating at my soul
Now I find comfort only somewhere in my mind
Free to pursue another goal
(Walk, walk, walk away)
(Walk, walk, walk away) (keep on walking away)
(Walk, walking away)
(Walk, walking away)
(Walk, walking away)
(Walk, keep on walking)
(Keep on walking, walk, walking away)
(Keep on walking away)
(Don't look back when you're walk, walking)
(And walking, walking, walking, walking)
(Walking, walking, walking, walking)
(Walk, walk away)
(Walk, keep on)
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now (you can live at home now)
You can live at home now, you can live at home now (you can live at home now)
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
You can live at home now, you can live at home now
The lyrics to Hüsker Dü's song "You Can Live at Home" describe someone who is looking for a break from their daily routine to give their mind some rest. However, the singer seems to be unimpressed by this idea and sees it as a waste of time. The repetition of "walk, walk, walk away" emphasizes the singer's desire to move on from this situation and find a sense of comfort in their mind.
Throughout the song, the idea of time is also recurring. The lyrics suggest that time is eating away at the singer's soul and that they need to pursue another goal. The repeated phrase "keep on walking" implies that the singer is determined to move on and not look back.
The song's title "You Can Live at Home" may seem simple, but it has a deeper meaning. The phrase can be interpreted as a call to find comfort and safety in oneself, in one's own mind, rather than relying on external factors to find peace. This message can be seen as a reflection of the band's punk rock ideology, which emphasized individualism and self-reliance.
Overall, this song highlights the band's unique blend of punk rock and alternative rock. The lyrics possess a poetic quality, and the repetition of certain phrases creates a hypnotic effect. The song is a perfect example of Hüsker Dü's ability to combine simple instrumentation with emotionally charged lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
You're looking for a chance to give your mind a rest
You're searching for a break from the constant worry inside your head
Now please correct me if I'm wrong
But it seems to me that you're struggling to find peace
The story goes that I'm not terribly impressed
I've heard this all before and it doesn't impress me
I guess I've known it all along
Deep down, I've always suspected this to be true
(Walk, walk, walk away)
It's time to leave this behind
(Keep on)
And keep moving forward
Figured it out that I was wasting all my time
I realized that I've been wasting my life on things that don't matter
And time was eating at my soul
The passage of time was slowly draining me of my spirit
Now I find comfort only somewhere in my mind
I can only find peace in my own thoughts
Free to pursue another goal
I am now liberated to pursue a different purpose
(Don't look back when you're walk, walking)
Don't second-guess your decision to move forward
(And walking, walking, walking, walking)
Just keep walking towards your new life
(Walk, walk away)
Leave the old life behind
(Walk, keep on)
Continue moving forward
(You can live at home now)
You don't have to live in the chaos anymore
(You can live at home now) (you can live at home now)
You have the option to find comfort and stability in a familiar place
(You can live at home now) (you can live at home now) (you can live at home now)
You have the power to choose where you live and how you live from now on
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRANT VERNON HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Travis Todd
I've always wondered why this particular song isn't seen as a more important part of the Husker legacy. It's as intense as anything on any of their other albums, and that coda is magnificent, with Bob soloing out of his mind.
Keith Bate
the final track from the final album. hart and Mould yelling at each other as the ruins of the band disintegrated around them. Goose bumps every time I listen.
One of the great rock tracks of any era.
Philip Rebbeck
Brilliant end to the double album, played it to death back in the day.
COMANDOLIN
Summer '88 and home from my first year or college. Every night in my room with my headphones on, my stereo cranked and this amazing band, this amazing album and this amazing song over and over. Changed my life. I mean really changed my life. Within two years, I moved to Minneapolis kind of changed my life. This is my Hey Jude. Over and over and over. Hadn't heard it in a while, put the headphones on just now and holy shit, I fucking cried! Still amazing 25 years later. Just amazing.
Bill McDavitt
Yup. Summer 1988, right after my freshman year in college. This song was played on my Walkman many a time while enjoying either Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun. I haven't listened to this song in quite a while, but it still evokes several emotions and great memories.
Lance Blair
Rest in Peace, Grant Hart. This is one of my favorite songs ever.
deeohgee70
One of mine too.
jessesvec
Greatest grand finale song for a band ever
Bernd Jenter
You can lay down on this wall of sublime sound !
hihowareyouthen
Great bassline! One of my favourite Husker Du songs.