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.
Puppet On a String
The Hives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a puppet on a string
You hold on tight
You hold on tight
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
You hold on tight
You hold on tight
Got your education from just hanging around
You got your brain from a hole in the ground
You come on up look around for a will of your own
But your mine...
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
With porcelain eyes and a mind of a monkey
Road on a town on the back of what looked like a dead donkey
So I do to you what a puppet master do
Can you tell
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
It's like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
You got your education from just hanging around
You got your brain from a hole in the ground
You come on up, look around for a will of your own, but your mine
Like a puppet on a string
You hold on tight
You hold on tight
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
You hold on tight
You hold on tight
You hold on tight
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
You hold on tight
You hold on tight
You hold on tight
The Hives's song Puppet On A String seems to be about control and manipulation. The lyrics suggest that the subject of the song is like a puppet on a string, being controlled and held tightly by someone else. The lines "You got your education from just hanging around / You got your brain from a hole in the ground" imply that the subject may not be very intelligent or informed, and is easily influenced by the person holding the strings. The repeated line "But your mine" further reinforces this idea of ownership and control.
The imagery of a puppet with porcelain eyes and a mind of a monkey being led around on the back of a dead donkey is vivid and perhaps a commentary on a society that is blindly following a leader without question or thought. The lines "So I do to you what a puppet master do / Can you tell" implies that the person holding the strings is aware of their power, and perhaps even reveling in it. The overall tone of the song is one of frustration, as the subject of the song is unable to break free from the control of the puppet master, and is left feeling helpless and trapped.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a puppet on a string
You are easily manipulated and controlled
You hold on tight
You cling to the things that control you
Got your education from just hanging around
You haven't actively pursued knowledge or skills
You got your brain from a hole in the ground
You don't have a lot of intelligence or critical thinking skills
You come on up look around for a will of your own
You try to assert your independence
But your mine...
You are under the control of someone else
With porcelain eyes and a mind of a monkey
You are empty-headed and easily influenced
Road on a town on the back of what looked like a dead donkey
You are following something that is dead and has no life left in it
So I do to you what a puppet master do
I control you like a puppet master controls his puppets
Can you tell
Are you aware of your own lack of control?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Randy Fitzsimmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M Rosethorn
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight, you hold on tight
Got your education from just hangin' around
You got your brain from a hole in the ground
You come up, look around, for a will of your own
But you're mine yeahhhhh
Like a puppet on a string [x4]
With porcelain eyes and the mind of a monkey
Rode into town on the back of what looked like a dead donkey
So I do, to you, what a puppet master would do
Can you tell? Yeahhhh!!!
Like a pupper on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Just like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Got your education from just hangin' around
You got your brain from a hole in the ground
You come up, look around, for a will of your own
But you're mine yeahhhhh
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight, you hold on tight
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight, you hold on tight
Billi Tackett
This song is seriously underrated
M Rosethorn
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight, you hold on tight
Got your education from just hangin' around
You got your brain from a hole in the ground
You come up, look around, for a will of your own
But you're mine yeahhhhh
Like a puppet on a string [x4]
With porcelain eyes and the mind of a monkey
Rode into town on the back of what looked like a dead donkey
So I do, to you, what a puppet master would do
Can you tell? Yeahhhh!!!
Like a pupper on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Just like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string
Got your education from just hangin' around
You got your brain from a hole in the ground
You come up, look around, for a will of your own
But you're mine yeahhhhh
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight, you hold on tight
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a string you hold on tight
You hold on tight, you hold on tight
Scarecrow Yard
Sounds like Halloween music, but it's still totally awesome!
0alkl
that sounds great!
Tara S
Love itt
gizmouille
.... just awesom song!! <3
Yreadth1s
this one of my fav soungs
GREGFIDDES1984
fave tune
Mateus Kempfer
im a puppet on a string, tracy island, time travelling, diamond
Tohru Sohma
My dance peformance are dancing to this song