The song "B Is For Brutus" by The Hives is about ambition, success, and the consequences of one's actions. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist, referred to as "you," is focused on achieving success and proving oneself as the "bigger man." The song criticizes the concept of valuing material wealth and status as the sole measure of success. The line "Hear them saying that a lot's a lot, You think that is all that matters?" questions whether accumulating possessions and wealth is truly the most important thing in life. It challenges the notion that achieving success in terms of material gain is the ultimate goal. The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of doing things well, but also sarcastically refers to the historical figure Brutus. It suggests that despite striving for greatness, the protagonist may not be achieving true success or fulfillment, just like Brutus, who betrayed Julius Caesar in Shakespeare's play. The lyrics also suggest that the protagonist has put in effort, done their "homework," and has tried various tactics to succeed, but still ends up with only a little. This can be seen in lines like "Did your homework and you worked the mob, Because it's all you can do, Tried for a lot still, you have a little." The song implies that the protagonist may be trapped in a cycle of trying to achieve success and climbing the ladder, but ultimately ending up in the middle. The line "You keep trying, ended up in the middle, Had an enigma, ended up with a riddle" reflects this idea. In the end, the song suggests that the protagonist should rethink their approach to success and instead focus on doing things well, but with genuine integrity and purpose. The line "Real good, like a little man should" emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and achieving success in a way that aligns with personal values.
