The Hives are:
"Howlin" Pelle Almqvist (vocals)
Nicholaus "Arson" Almqvist (guitar)
Mikael "Vigilante Carlstroem" Karlsson (guitar)
Johan"The Johan and Only" Gustavsson (bass)
Christian "Chris Dangerous" Grahn (drums)
The band claims that their songs are written by an honorary "sixth Hive", Randy Fitzsimmons. Since Nicholaus Almqvist can be found listed under the pseudonym Randy Fitzsimmons in the archives of STIM (the Swedish equivalent of the Performing Right Society) many believe Fitzsimmons is 'fictional'. (Nicholaus Almqvist vehemently denies this.) The band are also known for their energetic live performances, with Howlin' Pelle running around stage and saying outrageous things, and with everyone strictly dressed in black and white.
The Hives formed in 1993 (originally they wanted to call themselves 'The HIVs', but decided to change it slightly resulting in their current name) and released their debut recording, the EP Oh Lord! When? How? in 1996, followed by 1997's Barely Legal LP, and 1998's a.k.a. I.D.I.O.T. EP on the Swedish skate punk oriented record label Burning Heart Records.
Soon after, they began touring in the US and finally released their 2000 US breakthrough album, Veni Vidi Vicious; the album included the hit singles "Main Offender" and "Hate to Say I Told You So". Their UK breakthrough, Your New Favourite Band, a greatest-hits compilation, was released on the Poptones label in 2001. This was followed by extensive touring, as well as the re-release of previous recordings in the US.
Their next album, entitled Tyrannosaurus Hives and released on July 20 2004, was a slight departure from earlier releases. It has been described as a sound similar to what it might sound like if the band taught robots how to play their music, and then re-learned it from the robots to record, because of its rigid/rapid-fire arrangement, yet the band kept their distinctive blend of garage and punk influences. The album includes the hit singles Walk Idiot Walk, Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones, and A Little More For Little You.
The Hives' next record, titled The Black and White Album, was released on October 15, 2007 (November 13 in the U.S.). The band said they've recorded 20 to 30 songs (including seven recorded with producer Pharrell Williams) for this album and are currently choosing the best. Other tracks have been produced by Jacknife Lee and Dennis Herring. Sessions were held with Timbaland, with whom the band produced the song Throw It On Me, but took place too late for any of the resultant tracks to make the record. They hope to use these songs as b-sides, although Throw It On Me was released as a single on Timbaland's album Shock Value.
The Go Right Ahead Songfacts reports news detailing Swedish rock group, The Hives’, fifth studio album Lex Hives was announced on March 12, 2012. The record is composed of twelve self-produced tracks, with a deluxe version containing bonus songs produced by Josh Homme.
B is for Brutus
The Hives Lyrics
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You think it's all that matters
You've done your math well
You checked the figures
You've done your math tell
Who is the bigger
Man can't explain it but you got a hunch
Climb up the ladder
Step up a notch
Climb up the ladder then
See what you got
But if you do it, do it good, Brutus
Real good!
Like a little man should!
Did your homework and you worked the mob
Because it's all you can do
Tried for a lot still you have a little
What happened mister you couldn't figure
Out of the rut you still can't get it right
Can't get a lot for a little?
You keep on trying and you end up in the middle
Had an enigma ended up with a riddle
But if you do it, do it good, Brutus
REAL GOOD
Like a little man SHOULD
Rewind and look at what you got
Had ambition but you lost the plot
Judas Brutus Quisling time has come to do
What's expected of you
The Hives's song B is for Brutus tells a story about a man who strives to succeed and climb up the ladder in life, but fails to achieve his desired goals. The first verse depicts the man who thinks that having a lot is all that matters and has done his math well to check his figures. He has a hunch about his position but still cannot explain it. Nonetheless, he climbs up the ladder and steps up a notch to see what he has got. The chorus encourages the man to do it good, Brutus, and like a little man should, even if he can only get a little. However, the second verse shows that the man tried his best to achieve a lot, but he still ended up with little. He had ambition but lost the plot, and now he has become similar to Judas, Brutus, and Quisling, who all betrayed others in history. The final line of the song tells "time has come to do what's expected of you."
The lyrics of this song are about the pressures of society to succeed, the fear of failure, and the consequences of betrayal. The name "Brutus" refers to the Roman politician who murdered Julius Caesar, hence the line "Judas Brutus Quisling time has come to do what's expected of you" refers to the historical betrayers Judas, Brutus, and Quisling. The song encourages listeners to do their best and to strive for their goals but also warns them to be aware of the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear them saying that a lot is a lot
You hear people say that having a lot is everything.
You think it's all that matters
You believe that having a lot is the most important thing.
You've done your math well
You've calculated the numbers correctly.
You checked the figures
You made sure that the numbers are accurate.
You've done your math tell
You've added up everything and know the total.
Who is the bigger
Who has more, you or someone else?
Man can't explain it but you got a hunch
You have a feeling about something, even if you can't explain it.
Well, that's always something
At least you have something to go on.
Climb up the ladder
Try to move up in the world.
Step up a notch
Work a little harder or do a little better.
Climb up the ladder then
Keep trying to move up in the world.
See what you got
Assess your progress and what you've achieved.
But if you do it, do it good, Brutus
If you're going to try, do it well and put in your best effort.
Real good!
Really, really well!
Like a little man should!
As a person of modest means, you have to work extra hard to succeed.
Did your homework and you worked the mob
You did your research and figured out how to get ahead.
Because it's all you can do
You're doing the best with what you have available to you.
Tried for a lot still you have a little
You aimed for a big success but only achieved a small one.
What happened mister you couldn't figure
You don't know why you fell short of your goal.
Out of the rut you still can't get it right
You're still struggling to succeed despite trying to break out of your routine.
Can't get a lot for a little?
Can't achieve a lot despite having limited resources?
You keep on trying and you end up in the middle
Despite your efforts, you're not making it to the top and instead are stuck in a mediocre position.
Had an enigma ended up with a riddle
Started with a difficult problem and ended up with an even harder one to solve.
Rewind and look at what you got
Take a step back and evaluate your current position and accomplishments.
Had ambition but you lost the plot
You had big ambitions but lost your way toward achieving them.
Judas Brutus Quisling time has come to do
It's time to make some tough choices and do what's expected of you.
What's expected of you
What people anticipate or require you to do.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Randy Fitzsimmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind