This is a gorgeous song, but simultaneously it's very hard to listen to. The instrumentation is great and the singing is as well, it is the lyrics that cause me pain. They are wonderful, but they hit me hard. While I am only 19, my life has been full of twists and turns. While some in more recent years have been great (such as the discovery of my my beautiful girlfriend), others left me vulnerable, such as my sister's mental health crisis. I frequently looked to music for relief. I have been introverted my whole life and had a lot of personality quirks that while harmless, made me strange and unapproachable to many. My loneliness coupled with my emerging depression led to my years from '14-early 18 being largely depressing and I felt isolated. Despite good grades and a privileged background, I largely felt like a failure. I had only two real friends, and one of which I barely saw anyways. I tried to fit in and improve but every time I tried to make friends it eventually failed, mainly due to my social awkwardness but my peculiar interests didn't probably help much, as there wasn't anyone else who liked Hüsker Dü or liked history like I did, meaning I couldn't really be genuine with anyone. I tried to find love too, but every girl I fell for never had feelings for me and my depression told me it was because I was ugly and undesirable. I never made a serious attempt on my life, but I thought of this as my suicide song. I felt embarrassed that I, a somewhat intelligent kid, sat in his room and cried and dwelled on how he was a nobody in school and planned on dying a virgin. My parents were worried about me, but neither one was of much help, with my dad basically just thinking I needed to grow a pair and my mom scolding me for not realizing how great I had it. Through some soul searching and talking, I began to look inward on myself and discover that I was indeed a transgender girl. This made my life complicated, but a brighter future as a woman gives me hope. And not too long ago I met the love of my life, and she has proven to me that despite my depression and anxiety, I am a worthwhile girl. And she has taught me it's ok to be unique, as long as I'm happy. It's ok to be a gen Z girl (or "zoomer" as we kids call it) with an interest in shit like history and passion for old, obscure music and John Carpenter films, etc. This song is was here for me in a dark time, and I hope one day a kid next generation, be they rich, poor, gay, straight, cis, trans, popular, outcast, whatever finds this wonderful song and finds meaning in it, even if their interpretation differs from mine.
Thank you! That’s one of the most remarkable posts of honesty I’ve ever read amongst the detritus of RUclips commentary. You are remarkable for being a baby (19 is so young) with the will, the thought and self discovery of understanding and enlightenment you have at such a young age. It’s really quite remarkable, a credit to you and says a lot about you more than any generational tag ever could. You may very well be more cut out for maturity too. I know some people who are “born middle aged” as they say and really grow into your skin with age. Trust me, at my age (44) we’ve all seen kids who were popular and beautiful while young who thrived and sometimes bullied their way to ‘happiness’ realise, twenty years later that they’re jaded, looks have faded, haven’t evolved and still have no idea that they’ve living in the past. This song is very special. Otherwise on a much more trivial note, I hope to never hear the word zoomer again. :) I hope your world is still good and you’re enlightened every day. Thanks again, John Carpenter is very cool.
And the award to most heartwarming RUclips comment goes to: Seriously, this is so hopeful, and I'm glad you've found your way to happiness Oh, and nice taste in music/films
The thumbnail image is the most Husker Du looking album cover that isn't actually a Husker Du album cover that I've ever seen. Zen Arcade saved my life.
this song always gives me chills ..... "I'm not the son you wanted, but what could you expect. I made my world of happiness to combat your neglect", "he finally gets the nerve one day and lift becomes a test".... WOW!
Not being the daughter daddy wanted (and yes, he told me so), I have always related to this ... Awesome capturing of a life of neglect by immature parents.
I first heard this song in 1985, in bed, late at night, on my headphones, and for the first time in my life, I realized somebody else knew what it was like to be me
I played this song once while I was living with my ex gf, she said the lyrics were 'immature' and whiny. shortly after I realised just how consumerist, snobby and boring she was.
+4SRKT haha :D i wouldn't say she showed 'neglect' just a conflicting personality, there's no real ill feeling, I just found it amusing to write that comment.
He lives in his imagination with those friends of his very own 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
i think this song is just people being tired of other peoples bullshit in general,which makes me love it.and who cares anyway cos this is RUclips.just enjoy it.
mould is gay...he came out in the 90's. whatever...i think that just made their music better because he was having a lot o problems with his identity and i think it informs the songs and the emotion behind them
That's the one band they are always compared to, because they're from the same area of the USA, and because one made it big while the other stayed as quite an underground band. Even in some of their rawer material like Flip Your Wig, you can hear similarities to MODERN R.E.M., let alone the older and less commercial band! Anyway, aside from that, this is Husker Du's best song, absolutely brilliant.
@ggallinrules well,when this album went out no one didn't spoke about Huskers in gay context...this isn't important so much,just their music left..btw,i see your nickname,everythin' is clear X)))
Fuck early 90s Seattle, Athens, GA, or the whole Madchester nonsense... The greatest music scene of all-time was 80s Minneapolis, Husker Du, Replacements, The Suburbs, Soul Asylum. No other scene can compare.
Yeah, it was an awesome time. I lived near the TC when it was happening and I even though I went to a lot of shows, played in a couple of (awful) hardcore bands, and was really into it, I still didn't appreciate it as much as I should have in retrospect. I had in the back of my mind the naive early 20-something idea that the scene would last forever, and now I know like we all do that all good things come to an end. People move on and change.
What is with these "gay" comments? First of all, Grant is bi, which I'm sure to the 15-year-old philistines who just discovered HD is the same thing. Honestly, who gives a flying turd about someone's sexuality? When it comes to balls-out music, I think most fans here would agree that Husker Du is "straighter" than they are.
The kid doesn't actually run away - he wakes up at the beginning of "Turn on the News" and realizes he dreamed the whole thing. The tracks "Dreams Reoccurring" and "Reoccurring Dreams" bookend the dream that takes place in the songs in between.
This is THE song. This is one of the things that makes Bob Mould and Husker Du transcendentally great. It's a piece of art.
I can't find a live version of this song on RUclips...☹️
Grant’s drum roll beginning at 00:28 is just pure perfection. We miss you tons, Grant Hart.
I feel like I'm living whenever I listen to Husker Du.
I know what you mean, Sheila, me too.
This is a gorgeous song, but simultaneously it's very hard to listen to. The instrumentation is great and the singing is as well, it is the lyrics that cause me pain. They are wonderful, but they hit me hard.
While I am only 19, my life has been full of twists and turns. While some in more recent years have been great (such as the discovery of my my beautiful girlfriend), others left me vulnerable, such as my sister's mental health crisis. I frequently looked to music for relief.
I have been introverted my whole life and had a lot of personality quirks that while harmless, made me strange and unapproachable to many. My loneliness coupled with my emerging depression led to my years from '14-early 18 being largely depressing and I felt isolated. Despite good grades and a privileged background, I largely felt like a failure. I had only two real friends, and one of which I barely saw anyways. I tried to fit in and improve but every time I tried to make friends it eventually failed, mainly due to my social awkwardness but my peculiar interests didn't probably help much, as there wasn't anyone else who liked Hüsker Dü or liked history like I did, meaning I couldn't really be genuine with anyone. I tried to find love too, but every girl I fell for never had feelings for me and my depression told me it was because I was ugly and undesirable.
I never made a serious attempt on my life, but I thought of this as my suicide song. I felt embarrassed that I, a somewhat intelligent kid, sat in his room and cried and dwelled on how he was a nobody in school and planned on dying a virgin. My parents were worried about me, but neither one was of much help, with my dad basically just thinking I needed to grow a pair and my mom scolding me for not realizing how great I had it.
Through some soul searching and talking, I began to look inward on myself and discover that I was indeed a transgender girl. This made my life complicated, but a brighter future as a woman gives me hope. And not too long ago I met the love of my life, and she has proven to me that despite my depression and anxiety, I am a worthwhile girl. And she has taught me it's ok to be unique, as long as I'm happy. It's ok to be a gen Z girl (or "zoomer" as we kids call it) with an interest in shit like history and passion for old, obscure music and John Carpenter films, etc.
This song is was here for me in a dark time, and I hope one day a kid next generation, be they rich, poor, gay, straight, cis, trans, popular, outcast, whatever finds this wonderful song and finds meaning in it, even if their interpretation differs from mine.
That was beautiful :’) don’t let anyone make you feel inadequate for being different and unique.
Thank you! That’s one of the most remarkable posts of honesty I’ve ever read amongst the detritus of RUclips commentary. You are remarkable for being a baby (19 is so young) with the will, the thought and self discovery of understanding and enlightenment you have at such a young age. It’s really quite remarkable, a credit to you and says a lot about you more than any generational tag ever could. You may very well be more cut out for maturity too. I know some people who are “born middle aged” as they say and really grow into your skin with age. Trust me, at my age (44) we’ve all seen kids who were popular and beautiful while young who thrived and sometimes bullied their way to ‘happiness’ realise, twenty years later that they’re jaded, looks have faded, haven’t evolved and still have no idea that they’ve living in the past. This song is very special. Otherwise on a much more trivial note, I hope to never hear the word zoomer again. :) I hope your world is still good and you’re enlightened every day. Thanks again, John Carpenter is very cool.
You are great
Keep it going
And the award to most heartwarming RUclips comment goes to:
Seriously, this is so hopeful, and I'm glad you've found your way to happiness
Oh, and nice taste in music/films
The bridge in this song is beautiful.
The thumbnail image is the most Husker Du looking album cover that isn't actually a Husker Du album cover that I've ever seen. Zen Arcade saved my life.
this song always gives me chills ..... "I'm not the son you wanted, but what could you expect. I made my world of happiness to combat your neglect", "he finally gets the nerve one day and lift becomes a test".... WOW!
Not being the daughter daddy wanted (and yes, he told me so), I have always related to this ... Awesome capturing of a life of neglect by immature parents.
I could live between 1:50 and 2:20...so emotional...it describes what I feel...don't have words to explain it
One of the best riffs they ever wrote, and that guitar sounds fucking amazing.
@@willboelts The Mats don't fail. Never. ;)
Chills in the best way
"...I'm not the son you wanted, but what did you expect? I made my world of happiness to combat your neglect..." WOW!
I first heard this song in 1985, in bed, late at night, on my headphones, and for the first time in my life, I realized somebody else knew what it was like to be me
i think this is on the short list of best husker tracks.....killer bass line. angst
Killer everything! :-)
Best Song on Zen Arcade, and that takes a lot of saying.
seriously one of the best songs ever written
this is a masterpiece. what a beautiful day, the day i discovered this band :)
Sehr interessante Gruppe...
Ein Album unterschiedliche als das andere..
Fantastisch genial❤
Way back when I got my first CD player ever the first 2 cd's I bought were "Zen Arcade" and "Singles Going Steady".Still listen to both.
I still don't really understand fully, after 34 years, but I recognize a piece of genius, whenever I see it...
Hardcore psychedelia!!!! I love the vocal interplay at the end.
tonto
excuse me, this band, on all of their albums, have lots of overlooked and truly amazing songs. This, from Zen Arcade, is one of them.
Oh dio mio questo pezzo è la mia vita. Cazzo di meraviglia...❤
man i gotta buy this album soon its killer!! huskers rule!! another great band i missed out on!!!!!!
It is not too late - go get the albums - NOW!
I'm a husky myself and not even I knew about them, lol
Do it up chief, this is probably one of the best bands of the 80s
Grants drumming in this....
oh god this maybe my new favorite song from these guys
I played this song once while I was living with my ex gf, she said the lyrics were 'immature' and whiny. shortly after I realised just how consumerist, snobby and boring she was.
+Jacob Storey And did you then make your world of happiness to combat her neglect?
+4SRKT haha :D i wouldn't say she showed 'neglect' just a conflicting personality, there's no real ill feeling, I just found it amusing to write that comment.
or maybe he realised just how consumerist, snobby and boring she was, just as he wrote. duh.
I guess she didn't understand the point of the lyrics, or the album.
Bob is the narrator, not the child whining about his parents.
Your next song for her should have been "You Call That Gone?"
He lives in his imagination with those friends of his very own
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
This band has an album's worth of seldom spoken- of, stellar, kick ass moving songs.
i think this song is just people being tired of other peoples bullshit in general,which makes me love it.and who cares anyway cos this is RUclips.just enjoy it.
mould is gay...he came out in the 90's. whatever...i think that just made their music better because he was having a lot o problems with his identity and i think it informs the songs and the emotion behind them
Lucky enough to see this live in Pgh in the 80s
Get chills around 1:30
Great sound, great lyrics. I always feel nostalgic when listening to this song. What an awesome band.
Thnx for uploading
True, true. It doesn't matter, though. Point is that Hüsker Dü kicks ass.
That's the one band they are always compared to, because they're from the same area of the USA, and because one made it big while the other stayed as quite an underground band. Even in some of their rawer material like Flip Your Wig, you can hear similarities to MODERN R.E.M., let alone the older and less commercial band!
Anyway, aside from that, this is Husker Du's best song, absolutely brilliant.
Nirvana owes their career to many bands, particularly the Pixies, since that's where they took most of their riffs from.
The Ibanez Rocket Roll Sr.....V...Thank you Sir Mould
Whatever you want, whatever you go, whatever do, whatever you say...
Good RNB scene too. Oh, the Minneapolis scene got good again starting in the early 90's.
Fire
mum and dad im sorry!!!!!!!!!!!
indeed i was! i've got a copy of "let it be" which i should really listen to more.
I can't find a live version of this song on RUclips...☹️
@SteveSiqin Exactly. Glad someone else can hear this as well!
No live on RUclips of this song ? ☹️
You might have been thinking of The Replacements, another great '80s band from Minneapolis.
"Husker Du" - "Do you remember"
Actually, R.E.M. are from Athens, Georgia, while Husker Du were from Minneapolis, Minnesota -- separated by approximately 1000 miles.
@ggallinrules well,when this album went out no one didn't spoke about Huskers in gay context...this isn't important so much,just their music left..btw,i see your nickname,everythin' is clear X)))
Fuck early 90s Seattle, Athens, GA, or the whole Madchester nonsense... The greatest music scene of all-time was 80s Minneapolis, Husker Du, Replacements, The Suburbs, Soul Asylum. No other scene can compare.
Yeah, it was an awesome time. I lived near the TC when it was happening and I even though I went to a lot of shows, played in a couple of (awful) hardcore bands, and was really into it, I still didn't appreciate it as much as I should have in retrospect. I had in the back of my mind the naive early 20-something idea that the scene would last forever, and now I know like we all do that all good things come to an end. People move on and change.
@dner75 LA Punk Scene man, 70s Manchester
What is with these "gay" comments? First of all, Grant is bi, which I'm sure to the 15-year-old philistines who just discovered HD is the same thing. Honestly, who gives a flying turd about someone's sexuality? When it comes to balls-out music, I think most fans here would agree that Husker Du is "straighter" than they are.
now life becomes a test
he doesnt get along with the outside world
i thought the album was about a runaway kid?
The kid doesn't actually run away - he wakes up at the beginning of "Turn on the News" and realizes he dreamed the whole thing. The tracks "Dreams Reoccurring" and "Reoccurring Dreams" bookend the dream that takes place in the songs in between.
zen arcade is a harcore gay pride album, not bashing them just saying
Even though they were pretending it wasn't by having the main character be straight
@CommanderC00L558 It just so happens that Husker Du is two thirds gay.
Grant was bi though, has a daughter and was married to a woman at the time of his death. But yeah Mould is 100% gay.
How embarrassing for me.