The Hives's song "Outsmarted" is about someone who used to be naïve and easily fooled, but has now gained intelligence and confidence, allowing them to turn the tables and outsmart those who once took advantage of them. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist was once the kid who always got caught and never thought critically. They contrast this with another person who used to wait in line, wasting time and trying to be cool without any suspicion or understanding. However, the tables have now turned. The protagonist has developed intellectualism, diversity, and wit, and is now able to put things back in place and throw it back in the other person's face. The other person, on the other hand, is described as putting the "L" (which likely stands for "loser") back in lame and always fitting the expected mold. The chorus emphasizes the protagonist's sense of satisfaction in outsmarting the other person and decides to sell them for scrap, implying that they are no longer valuable or worth their time. The repeated phrase "outsmarted" reinforces this idea. The overall message of the song is one of empowerment and triumph over those who once underestimated or mistreated the protagonist. They have found their own voice and intelligence and have successfully outsmarted those who used to take advantage of them.
