Meaning of "Hardly Getting Over It" by Hüsker Dü

The lyrics of "Hardly Getting Over It" by Hüsker Dü paint a bleak picture of life's struggles and the inevitability of loss and mortality. The narrator encounters individuals in various stages of hardship, from a friend who cries without explanation to an old man who dies alone by the railroad tracks. The repeated refrain of "hardly getting over it, hardly getting used to getting by" captures a sense of resignation and the idea that life is an ongoing struggle. The reference to the narrator's own family members, including sick Grandma, Grandpa who dies in a hotel cell, and worrying parents, adds a personal element to the song, showing the universal nature of these struggles. The lyrics ultimately grapple with the harsh realities of life and the difficulty of finding meaning and acceptance in the face of loss and suffering.