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.
Return The Favour
The Hives Lyrics
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But talk would do no good
We have little to next to nothing to talk about
And we'd talk and talk and talk around it
But talk would do no good
We have little to next to nothing to talk about
And then back to the nothing I expected when
I return the favor
Is it time to go home?
Oh oh
Now we can talk and talk and talk about it
Talk until we're blue
It's just a big jug full of stupid passing through
It's like a boxer's goodbye, I'll see you Cassius Clay
In French Muhammad, Oui
Yeah we have little to next to nothing to talk about
So nothing went from nothing then
And then back to the nothing I expected when
I return the favor
Is it time to go home?
It's a waste of time and a waste of space
It's just taproom talk through a drunken haze
I return the favor
Guess it's time to go home
Oh oh
I got my mind made up and it's getting clear
There's better things to go than staying here
I return the favor
And leave on my own
Oh oh
The Hives's song "Return The Favour" talks about the typical situation where two individuals run out of things to talk about and end up resorting to mundane and irrelevant conversations. The lyrics clearly state that despite efforts to find something to talk about, the individuals fail and realize that nothing has changed. The phrase "We have little to next to nothing to talk about" is repeated several times, emphasizing the emptiness of the conversation.
The second verse talks about how the conversation is like that of a boxer's farewell - nothing substantial is said, and it's just a bunch of language passing through with no real meaning. The chorus then repeats the same lines as before, further driving the point that the conversation is a waste of time and space. The final verse talks about how the singer has made up their mind and that leaving is the best option.
In summary, "Return The Favour" is a song that comments on how conversations can sometimes be meaningless and how there are bigger, better things to do than just stay in a conversation that's going nowhere.
Line by Line Meaning
Well we'd talk and talk and talk about it
We have been discussing an issue in great depth.
But talk would do no good
Unfortunately, talking about it will not resolve anything.
We have little to next to nothing to talk about
We have exhausted all of our talking points and have little to no progress.
And we'd talk and talk and talk around it
We have been trying to avoid the real issue by talking around it.
So nothing went from nothing then
We did not make any meaningful progress from the situation.
And then back to the nothing I expected when
We ended the discussion where we initially began, with no resolution.
I return the favor
I reciprocate the lack of progress by not engaging in further discussion.
Is it time to go home?
I am questioning whether it is best to end the conversation and leave.
Now we can talk and talk and talk about it
We can continue discussing the issue at hand.
Talk until we're blue
We can talk until our faces turn blue, but still not reach a solution.
It's just a big jug full of stupid passing through
The conversation is pointless and lacks rationality.
It's like a boxer's goodbye, I'll see you Cassius Clay
The conversation is similar to a farewell, and a reference to the famous boxer Muhammad Ali (formerly known as Cassius Clay).
In French Muhammad, Oui
This is a reference to Muhammad Ali's famous quote 'I am the greatest', said in French.
So nothing went from nothing then
We still made no progress from the conversation.
And then back to the nothing I expected when
We have returned to the same unsatisfactory conclusion we started with.
It's a waste of time and a waste of space
This conversation is a waste of our time and resolve nothing.
It's just taproom talk through a drunken haze
This conversation is as pointless and foolish as drunk conversation in a pub.
Guess it's time to go home
We have no further use discussing this topic, and it's best to move on.
I got my mind made up and it's getting clear
I have made up my mind, and I am clear on what I need to do.
There's better things to go than staying here
There are more important things that require my attention than remaining here.
I return the favor
I reciprocate by not engaging in further conversation and departs.
And leave on my own
I depart alone after making my decision.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Randy Fitzsimmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind