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.
Hey Little World
The Hives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
they couldn't tell back then, is it a boy or a girl?
has since then been a story, of uncertainty
It was claimed a child, that he would never be free
[Chorus 1]
Hey little world! you know what you're getting
Oh please little world, It's kicking your head in
[Chorus 2]
What'cha gonna do? Anyone of you? What'cha gonna do when we come for you?
Anyone of you? What'cha gonna do? What'cha gonna do when we come for you?
Grow up advance to nothing
Live in a house of clay
He didn't know back then
But they liked it that way
He didn't do what they told him
He never did what they said
Try to tell him your wrong again and
Is this what you get?
[Chorus 1]
[Chorus 2]
Take it to your mother
Now as the starlets are scraping
Now he's as wide as the sea
And when you look all around you
He is what you see
All around the bed
He's gonna make sure you heard
[Chorus 1]
He's got them all lined up and they're ready to go
They're all lined up and that's what he saw
Hey little world, back in the ocean again
[Chorus 2: x2]
[Chorus 1]
The Hives's song Hey Little World appears to tell the story of a child who was born into this world amidst uncertainty, as it was not clear whether the child was a boy or a girl. The child's life seems to have been one filled with opposition and restriction, as the child was claimed to never be free. The lyrics seem to paint a picture of someone who grew up to be different, refusing to do what they were told and never doing what others said. The second verse suggests that the child advanced to nothing and lived in a house of clay, which could signify a life without meaning, direction or substance. The lyrics intensify with a confrontational and aggressive tone in the chorus, with a repetitive question of "What'cha gonna do when we come for you?" which can be interpreted as a message to the world in general.
The third verse appears to hold a strong message of defiance and perseverance, as the singer now appears to be larger than life and surrounds everything around them. At this point, it is unclear whether the singer is a person, an idea or a movement. However, it is clear that this entity is not going to stop until they are heard. The final lines of the song suggest a return to the ocean, literally or metaphorically, possibly signifying the start of a new cycle or an untethered state of freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
It was on a cold dark night, born into this world
The song starts with the singer explaining the circumstances of the singer's birth - on a cold and dark night, where the gender of the child was not immediately identified.
they couldn't tell back then, is it a boy or a girl?
The gender of the child at birth was uncertain.
has since then been a story, of uncertainty
The story of the singer's life is one of uncertainty, an unknown path ahead.
It was claimed a child, that he would never be free
The artist was deemed to never be free, perhaps due to some predetermined fate.
[Chorus 1]
The chorus expresses the rebellious attitude of the artist towards the world, challenging it with each line.
Grow up advance to nothing
Despite growing up, the singer felt like they were not progressing or achieving anything substantial.
Live in a house of clay
The use of 'clay' as a descriptor for the house implies impermanence and fragility, as if it could crumble at any moment.
He didn't know back then, But they liked it that way
In the past, the artist was unaware of the motives of those around them who preferred to keep them in the dark.
He didn't do what they told him, He never did what they said
The artist's rebelliousness extended to their refusal to blindly follow authority figures.
Try to tell him your wrong again and, Is this what you get?
The artist challenges those who try to impose their will on them, saying that they will receive negative consequences for doing so.
[Chorus 1]
The chorus repeats, setting the tone for the entire song.
[Chorus 2]
The second chorus echoes the challenge posed in the first.
Take it to your mother
The phrase could be interpreted in a number of ways, but it could suggest the singer telling someone to seek guidance from their mother, who they see as an authority figure.
Now as the starlets are scraping, Now he's as wide as the sea
The singer has grown in some way and become more noticeable, with people taking notice of them.
And when you look all around you, He is what you see
The singer has become a focal point, someone who is difficult to ignore.
All around the bed, He's gonna make sure you heard
The artist is making themselves heard, commanding attention and making an impression.
[Chorus 1]
The final chorus repeats, bringing the song full circle and cementing the message.
He's got them all lined up and they're ready to go, They're all lined up and that's what he saw
The singer has gained a following who are eager to join them, and the singer sees the potential and power in this group.
Hey little world, back in the ocean again
The song ends with a final declaration from the singer that the world they once knew and rebelled against is returning, and they are ready to take it on again.
[Chorus 2: x2]
The outro repeats the challenging message from the chorus one final time.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Randy Fitzsimmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind