Lyric discussion by nonomdeplume 

Cover art for Scumbag Blues lyrics by Them Crooked Vultures

I think this song is about artists that exploit naive, impressionable people with work that glorifies and exaggerates their own pessimism. Under a guise of wisdom trusting fans alter their perspective so that eventually their personality, rather than seek-out things to relate to, adapts to the music/lyrics (in this case).

...And so the spider catches the fly.

I think it's written from the point of view of someone who uses other people. They appear to be selfless and tailored to the person they're trying to 'ensnare', but it's an act to get what they want.

They're just playing people because they're so egotistical they only value themselves and their own feelings, whilst their 'victim' is left in despair once they realise they've been played.

ie. the song is written from the point of view of a 'scumbag'

I don't know, maybe i'm way off, awesome song anyway.