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.
See Through Head
The Hives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got a mind and it's stinking
You know why?
You got a transparent cranium, a see through head
Oh oh oh oh oh
It doesn't mean a thing
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
It doesn't mean a thing
I got thoughts in my head and i'm ready to sting
Oh oh oh oh oh
And now you come my way
Oh oh oh oh oh
I spot you from a mile away
Oh oh oh oh oh
So now you come my way
I got cutlery, got napkin, saltshaker pepper spray
You got a head
Gets you ahead
You got a head
A see-through head full of..
Oh oh oh oh oh
You thought you had it made
You want to cut a piece of cake you gotta have a bit of blade
Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm not so easily lead
Oh oh oh oh oh
You pick up but the line is dead
Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm not so easily lead
You always end up losing 'cause you got a see-through head
You got a head
Gets you ahead
You got a head
A see-through head full of..
So what's the matter
It's you, yeah you
It's you just you and your see-through head
You got a head
Gets you ahead
A see-through head full of..
You got a head
A see-through head full of..
The Hives's song See Through Head, as the title suggests, is about someone with a see-through head. Through the lyrics, the lead singer describes the disadvantages of having a transparent cranium. The song starts with the lead singer indicating that he knows what the listener might be thinking, and that they have a mind that is "stinking." He then reveals the reason behind the listener's stinking mind - that person has a see-through head. The chorus, "oh oh oh oh oh, it doesn't mean a thing, it's just a paper ring," suggests that having a see-through head is as useless as a paper ring.
The lead singer goes on to highlight that even though someone may have a see-through head, they still have thoughts in their head and are ready to act. The bridge section of the song talks about how the lead singer spots someone with a see-through head from a mile away and then lists the different things he has to defend himself - cutlery, napkins, saltshakers, and pepper spray. The lyrics then repeat the chorus, reminding the listener that having a see-through head is not something to be proud of and only leads them to lose.
Overall, The Hives's "See Through Head" is a witty commentary on the disadvantages of being transparent. Although many may aspire to be transparent, the song suggests that there is no real value in being transparent when it comes to one's physical appearance or metaphorically, traits that are transparent.
Line by Line Meaning
I know what you're thinking
I can tell what's on your mind
You got a mind and it's stinking
Your mind is not in a good place
You know why?
Do you know the reason?
You got a transparent cranium, a see-through head
Your thoughts are easy to see, you're not hiding anything
Oh oh oh oh oh
It doesn't mean a thing
It's not a big deal
Oh oh oh oh oh
It's just a paper ring
It's not real, just an illusion
I got thoughts in my head and i'm ready to sting
I have strong thoughts and I'm about to take action
And now you come my way
You're approaching me
I spot you from a mile away
I see you coming from far away
I got cutlery, got napkin, saltshaker pepper spray
I'm prepared to defend myself
You got a head
Gets you ahead
You have a brain that helps you succeed
A see-through head full of..
But your thoughts are transparent
You thought you had it made
You believed you were in a good situation
You want to cut a piece of cake you gotta have a bit of blade
You need tools to accomplish things
I'm not so easily lead
I'm not easily swayed or convinced
You pick up but the line is dead
You try to communicate but it's not working out
You always end up losing 'cause you got a see-through head
Your transparency and lack of deception makes you vulnerable
So what's the matter
It's you, yeah you
It's you just you and your see-through head
Your transparent nature is the issue
Gets you ahead
A see-through head full of..
You have the potential for success, but your transparency may hold you back
You got a head
A see-through head full of..
Your mind is easy to read
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Randy Fitzsimmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind