Q: Why am I pouring some Sugar on you?

A: In the name of love.

Sugar
If I Can't Change Your Mind
[solo mix]
Besides, 1995

Bob Mould's tale of star-crossed, unrequited love was always one of my favorite songs as a high schooler, possibly because I was always such a star-crossed, unrequited lover. The pleady, doomed undertones of its lyrics —

How can I explain away / Something that I haven't done?
And if you can't trust me now / You'll never trust in anyone
With all the crazy doubts you've got / I love you even still
But if I can't change your mind / Then no one will

— always struck a chord.

The song originally appeared in 1992 on Copper Blue, Mould's first project post-Hüsker Dü and, ironically, his biggest hit. The alternate version above is from the odds 'n sods collection Besides. Fire it up.

EARLIER: What does Hüsker Dü mean? starring Joan Rivers