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{{Infobox song
{{Infobox single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->
| Name = Makes No Sense At All
| name = Makes No Sense at All
| cover = "Makes_No_Sense_at_All"_-_Hüsker_Dü.jpg
| Cover =
| Cover size =
| alt =
| Caption =
| type = single
| Artist = [[Hüsker Dü]]
| artist = [[Hüsker Dü]]
| Album = [[Flip Your Wig]]
| album = [[Flip Your Wig]]
| A-side =
| released = August 1985
| B-side =
| format =
| Released = August 1985
| recorded = March–June 1985
| Format =
| studio =
| Recorded = March–June 1985
| venue =
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]]
| genre =
*[[Power pop]]<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Deming|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Deming|title=Makes No Sense at All - Hüsker Dü {{!}} Song Info|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/makes-no-sense-at-all-mt0001909682|access-date=January 22, 2007|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Earles|first=Andrew|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ufUBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA152|title=Gimme Indie Rock: 500 Essential American Underground Rock Albums 1981-1996|date=2014|publisher=Voyageur Press|isbn=978-0-7603-4648-8|page=152}}</ref>
| Length = 2:35
*[[noise pop]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Kurland|first=Jordan|last2=Arnold|first2=Kevin|last3=Ludwig|first3=Dawson|date=June 25, 2012|title=The Mix: 100 Essential Noise Pop Songs|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/06/14/155014576/the-mix-100-essential-noise-pop-songs|access-date=September 16, 2022|publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bealmear|first=Bart|date=September 15, 2017|title=Grant Hart and Hüsker Dü Invent Noise Pop, 1983|url=https://dangerousminds.net/comments/grant_hart_and_huesker_due_invent_noise_pop_1983|access-date=January 6, 2023|website=Dangerous Minds}}</ref>
| Label = [[SST Records|SST]] (051)
| Writer = [[Bob Mould]]
| length = 2:43
| Producer = [[Bob Mould]] and [[Grant Hart]]
| label = [[SST Records|SST]] (051)
| writer = [[Bob Mould]]
| Certification =
| producer = [[Bob Mould]] and [[Grant Hart]]
| Last single = "[[Eight Miles High]]"<br/>(1984)
| prev_title = [[Celebrated Summer]]
| This single = "'''Makes No Sense At All'''"<br/>(1985)
| prev_year = 1984
| Next single = "[[Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely]]"<br/>(1986)
| next_title = [[Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely]]
| Misc =
| next_year = 1986
}}
}}
'''"Makes No Sense At All"''' is a song by [[Hüsker Dü]] from the album ''[[Flip Your Wig]]''. The song was the only [[single (music)|single]] from the album. The release of the single, along with the flip side track "Love Is All Around"—the theme song to ''[[The Mary Tyler Moore Show]]''—demonstrated Hüsker Dü's continued move away from their [[hardcore punk]] roots to a more melodic synthesis of pop and punk.
'''"Makes No Sense at All"''' is a song by [[Hüsker Dü]] from the album ''[[Flip Your Wig]]''. Written by [[Bob Mould]], the song was released as a single from the album reaching number 2 on the UK indie charts.


The song has since seen positive critical reception and has been performed live by both Hüsker Dü and Mould at his solo shows.
⚫
In a review on [[Allmusic]], the song is called "perhaps the group's greatest fusion of punk and pop...Mould had, quite simply, written one of his best melodies, capable of containing the furious energy of his guitar style while still offering a potent melodic hook that made the most of the band's psychedelic undertow."<ref>{{cite web | author=| year=| title=Makes No Sense At All | format=http | work=allmusic.com | url={{Allmusic|class=song|id=t2718926|pure_url=yes}}| accessdate=January 22, 2007}}</ref>


==Background==
A [[music video]] featuring clips of the band and shots of [[Minneapolis]] was filmed. The video used both "Makes No Sense At All" and "Love Is All Around" played in sequence; for the "Love is All Around" sequence the video has the band copying iconic scenes from the Minneapolis-based ''Mary Tyler Moore Show'' opening credit sequence such as leaving [[Dayton's]] and riding the [[escalator]] and [[eating]] at the [[IDS Center]].
"Makes No Sense at All" was written by Hüsker Dü singer and guitarist [[Bob Mould]]. The track demonstrated Hüsker Dü's continued move away from their [[hardcore punk]] roots to a more melodic, pop-influenced style. Mould said of the song,


{{quote|"Makes No Sense at All" sums up all the aspirations I had as a songwriter at that point in my life: "How do I continue mining this somewhat pessimistic outlook on life? How bright is the color of the ribbon that wraps this fabulous wrapping paper around this beautifully dark package? How far can I take this thing?"
"Makes No Sense At All" was written by [[Bob Mould]], who continues to perform it during his solo tours.


It's a super simple song, and I play it every night still. It's one of those handful of songs in my catalog that has so far stood the test of time, and I never get tired of playing it. People in the crowd never get tired of singing it back to me. What a cool song. It's fucking weird to say that about my own stuff, but there are a few where I say, "Wow, I like that one!"<ref name="rs bob mould 15 songs">{{cite web|last=Browne|first=David|author-link=David Browne (journalist)|date=March 17, 2016|title=Bob Mould: My Life in 15 Songs|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/bob-mould-my-life-in-15-songs-79080/husker-du-makes-no-sense-at-all-1985-27877/|access-date=January 19, 2020|website=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>}}
== Track listing ==

Side One
Mould described the song as the song that the band would play if the band "knew there would only be seven minutes left before the missiles fell."<ref name="spin" />
#"Makes No Sense At All" (Mould)

Side Two
==Release==
#"Love Is All Around" ([[Sonny Curtis]])
"Makes No Sense at All" was the only [[single (music)|single]] from ''Flip Your Wig''. The single's B-side was a cover of "Love Is All Around", the theme song to ''[[The Mary Tyler Moore Show]]''. Music videos for both "Makes No Sense at All" and "Love Is All Around" were produced. These featured clips of the band and shots of [[Minneapolis]].<ref name="spin">{{cite web|last=Wheeler|first=Drew|date=July 25, 2019|title=Hüsker Dü: Our 1985 Interview With Bob Mould|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/07/husker-du-bob-mould-flip-your-wig-december-1985-interview-garage-sale/|access-date=January 19, 2020|website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]}}</ref> For the "Love is All Around" sequence the video has the band copying iconic scenes from the Minneapolis-based ''Mary Tyler Moore Show'' opening credit sequence, such as leaving [[Dayton's]] and riding the [[escalator]] and [[eating]] at the [[IDS Center]]. Mould continues to perform the song during his solo tours.<ref name="rs bob mould 15 songs" />

==Reception==
⚫
In a review on [[AllMusic]], the song is called "perhaps the group's greatest fusion of punk and pop...Mould had, quite simply, written one of his best melodies, capable of containing the furious energy of his guitar style while still offering a potent melodic hook that made the most of the band's psychedelic undertow."<ref name="allmusic" /> Rob Tannenbaum of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' said the song "could almost be termed catchy."<ref>{{cite web|last=Tannenbaum|first=Rob|date=November 7, 1985|title=Flip Your Wig|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/flip-your-wig-186272/|access-date=January 19, 2020|website=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>

[[John Leland (journalist)|John Leland]] at ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' said it was, "just more of the Husker dudes' typical brilliant superwhammo-overdrive guitar/bass/drum clang within a phenomenal pop song: Sure it's great, but if you've been listening you already know these guys are godhead and don't need a scrawny 7-inch single to prove their genius."<ref>{{cite magazine| magazine= [[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] | title=Singles|author=[[John Leland (journalist)|John Leland]]| date=November 1985|issue=6|page=36}}</ref>


==Charts==
==Charts==
Line 42: Line 50:
! scope="col" | Peak<br />position
! scope="col" | Peak<br />position
|-
|-
| [[UK Indie Chart]]<ref>{{cite book|first=Barry |last=Lazell |url=http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/h.htm |title=Indie Hits 1980-1989 |publisher=Cherry Red Books |date=1997 |accessdate=September 5, 2014 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607201541/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/h.htm |archivedate=June 7, 2011 |df= }}</ref>
| [[UK Indie Chart]]<ref name="UK indie">{{cite web|first=Barry |last=Lazell |url=http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/h.htm |title=Indie Hits 1980-1989 |publisher=Cherry Red Books |date=1997 |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607201541/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/h.htm |archive-date=June 7, 2011 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|}
|}


==References==
==Notes and references==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r9690|pure_url=yes}} Review] by [[AllMusic]]


{{huskerdu}}
{{huskerdu}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1985 songs]]
[[Category:1985 songs]]
Line 59: Line 66:
[[Category:Songs written by Bob Mould]]
[[Category:Songs written by Bob Mould]]
[[Category:SST Records singles]]
[[Category:SST Records singles]]
[[Category:American power pop songs]]

Latest revision as of 03:14, 4 January 2025

"Makes No Sense at All"
Single by Hüsker Dü
from the album Flip Your Wig
ReleasedAugust 1985
RecordedMarch–June 1985
Genre
Length2:43
LabelSST (051)
Songwriter(s)Bob Mould
Producer(s)Bob Mould and Grant Hart
Hüsker Dü singles chronology
"Celebrated Summer"
(1984) 		"Makes No Sense at All"
(1985) 		"Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely"
(1986)

"Makes No Sense at All" is a song by Hüsker Dü from the album Flip Your Wig. Written by Bob Mould, the song was released as a single from the album reaching number 2 on the UK indie charts.

The song has since seen positive critical reception and has been performed live by both Hüsker Dü and Mould at his solo shows.

Background

[edit]

"Makes No Sense at All" was written by Hüsker Dü singer and guitarist Bob Mould. The track demonstrated Hüsker Dü's continued move away from their hardcore punk roots to a more melodic, pop-influenced style. Mould said of the song,

"Makes No Sense at All" sums up all the aspirations I had as a songwriter at that point in my life: "How do I continue mining this somewhat pessimistic outlook on life? How bright is the color of the ribbon that wraps this fabulous wrapping paper around this beautifully dark package? How far can I take this thing?" It's a super simple song, and I play it every night still. It's one of those handful of songs in my catalog that has so far stood the test of time, and I never get tired of playing it. People in the crowd never get tired of singing it back to me. What a cool song. It's fucking weird to say that about my own stuff, but there are a few where I say, "Wow, I like that one!"[5]

Mould described the song as the song that the band would play if the band "knew there would only be seven minutes left before the missiles fell."[6]

Release

[edit]

"Makes No Sense at All" was the only single from Flip Your Wig. The single's B-side was a cover of "Love Is All Around", the theme song to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Music videos for both "Makes No Sense at All" and "Love Is All Around" were produced. These featured clips of the band and shots of Minneapolis.[6] For the "Love is All Around" sequence the video has the band copying iconic scenes from the Minneapolis-based Mary Tyler Moore Show opening credit sequence, such as leaving Dayton's and riding the escalator and eating at the IDS Center. Mould continues to perform the song during his solo tours.[5]

Reception

[edit]

In a review on AllMusic, the song is called "perhaps the group's greatest fusion of punk and pop...Mould had, quite simply, written one of his best melodies, capable of containing the furious energy of his guitar style while still offering a potent melodic hook that made the most of the band's psychedelic undertow."[1] Rob Tannenbaum of Rolling Stone said the song "could almost be termed catchy."[7]

John Leland at Spin said it was, "just more of the Husker dudes' typical brilliant superwhammo-overdrive guitar/bass/drum clang within a phenomenal pop song: Sure it's great, but if you've been listening you already know these guys are godhead and don't need a scrawny 7-inch single to prove their genius."[8]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1985) Peak
position
UK Indie Chart[9] 2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Deming, Mark. "Makes No Sense at All - Hüsker Dü | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
  2. ^ Earles, Andrew (2014). Gimme Indie Rock: 500 Essential American Underground Rock Albums 1981-1996. Voyageur Press. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-7603-4648-8.
  3. ^ Kurland, Jordan; Arnold, Kevin; Ludwig, Dawson (June 25, 2012). "The Mix: 100 Essential Noise Pop Songs". NPR. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  4. ^ Bealmear, Bart (September 15, 2017). "Grant Hart and Hüsker Dü Invent Noise Pop, 1983". Dangerous Minds. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Browne, David (March 17, 2016). "Bob Mould: My Life in 15 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Wheeler, Drew (July 25, 2019). "Hüsker Dü: Our 1985 Interview With Bob Mould". Spin. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  7. ^ Tannenbaum, Rob (November 7, 1985). "Flip Your Wig". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  8. ^ John Leland (November 1985). "Singles". Spin. No. 6. p. 36.
  9. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). "Indie Hits 1980-1989". Cherry Red Books. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
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