The band's origin dates back to the summer of 1989 when Zak Tell and Jocke Skog met while working together at the Rosenlund Hospital somewhere in the vicinity of Stockholm. In 1990 they were joined by the Norwegian guitarists Bård Torstensen and Erlend Ottem who were also working at the same hospital. Soon the four realized their similar interests in music. Bård and Erlend previously played in a band called Theo in their hometown Arendal back in Norway. Their free time was invested in exploring the musical world, composing and writing songs while evolving into a band.
Their original demo comprising three tracks (Waste of Time, Nigger and Profit Preacher) quickly secured them local radio airplay and consequently brought them to the attention of the MVG label. "Nigger" is an anti-racism statement that caused quite a stir and was a massive success; it was also released as a single. By the beginning of the 1990s, Clawfinger self-released their debut Deaf Dumb Blind. This sold in over 600,000 copies worldwide and was critically acclaimed in Swedish press. With the addition of André Skaug and drummer Morten Skaug, Clawfinger went on tour and played at countless European festivals including major support slots with Anthrax and Alice in Chains.
The band received many awards, including two home Grammies at the Swedish Grammy Awards in 1994 for best hard rock band and best music video. After touring, they went straight back in the studio to record their second album, Use Your Brain. After the release of this album they went on yet another touring campaign, most notably participating at Ozzy Osbourne's Monsters of Rock Festival in Brazil and Chile, rocking alongside American metal counterparts like Megadeth, Faith No More, and Alice Cooper. Back in Europe they continued their touring campaign by participating at festivals and countless gigs.
Their self-titled album Clawfinger was released in 1997. The first song on the album is Two Sides, which expanded the band's reach by using female choir vocals and a Middle Eastern sound. The rest of the album continues with the band's typical aggressive voice and socio-political lyrics.
A Whole Lot of Nothing was the fourth album released on 23 July 2001. The music showcases the same aggressive guitars, with more distortion effects and sounds, adding a whole new level of diversification. As for the synthesizers, on this particular album they're more present than on any other of Clawfinger's works.
Zeros & Heroes was released in 2003 and it caused controversy in America because the song Step Aside did not sit well with most American audiences due to the fact it slams George W. Bush and the post 9/11 (and not only) military politics of the US. It offers yet another style change for the ears of the listener. The electronic sound and synthesizers from A Whole Lot of Nothing are gone and replaced by a more complex and melodic guitar riffing.
Hate Yourself With Style was released in 2005. The album continued the path entered on Zeros & Heroes and is characterized by hardrock style melodic speedy guitar riffs. The keyboards which particularly characterized A Whole Lot of Nothing have completely disappeared.
Life Will Kill You was released in 2007. It has spawned three singles: Prisoners, The Price We Pay, and Little Baby.
The band officially disbanded in 23 August 2013.
Current members:
Zak Tell — vocals
Jocke Skog — keyboards
Bard Torstensen — guitar
Henka Johansson — drums
Andre Skaug — bass
04.Don't Get Me Wrong
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is the truth what is the truth who knows
You know she knows they know we know
What is the truth what is the truth who knows
I do do you will you won't you
What is the truth what is the truth to you
Will you won't you do you don't you
What is a lie gave it a try won't you I know nothing you don't know
Don't get me
Love me shove me kiss me hug me
What is my love what is my love tell me
Fuck me kick me suck me hit me
What is a fuck what is a fuck tell me
Take it shake it bend it break it
What is my life what is my life take it
Thrill me kill me fill me make it
What is the truth what is the truth fake it
See me be me hear me fear me
What is the truth is the truth near me
School me fool me rule me drool me
What is the truth what is the truth fool me
Can you can't you do you don't you
Hear my reply don't ask me why will you
Help me leave me feed me bleed me
Need me to lie what is a lie tell me
I know nothing.....
I know you know I know you know
What is the truth what is the truth who knows
He knows she knows they know we know
What is the truth what is the truth who knows
I do do you will you won't you
What is the truth is the truth to you
Will you won't you do you don't you
What is a lie give it a try won't you
I know nothing.....
In the song "Don't Get Me Wrong," Clawfinger challenges the idea of truth and lies and how it can be perceived differently by different people. The opening lines suggest that everyone involved in a situation is aware of what the truth is, but there is still a level of uncertainty around it since it can vary from person to person. The lyrics then question the nature of love and sex, which can also be interpreted in various ways by different people.
The chorus "Don't get me wrong" is an ironic nod to the fact that regardless of knowing the truth, everyone still tends to misunderstand each other. The following lines continue to explore different aspects of life that can be subjective, such as personal identity, power dynamics, and loyalty. The lyrics suggest that no one has a full understanding of what the truth is, and it can be manipulated to favor certain individuals or groups.
Overall, the song is a commentary on how truth and lies are used to control and manipulate situations and relationships. It challenges listeners to question their own perceptions of what is true and encourages them to seek a deeper understanding of the reality they are presented with.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you know I know you know
I am aware that you are aware that I am aware of something
What is the truth what is the truth who knows
We are uncertain of the truth and who can really know it
You know she knows they know we know
Everybody is aware of something
I do do you will you won't you
I am willing to do something, but are you willing to join me or not?
What is the truth what is the truth to you
What is considered true to you might not be true for someone else
Will you won't you do you don't you
Are you willing to do it or not?
What is a lie gave it a try won't you I know nothing you don't know
Let us take a chance at lying, as knowledge is limited
Don't get me wrong don't get me wrong Don't get me
Don't misunderstand me
Love me shove me kiss me hug me
Show affection towards me in whatever way you want
What is my love what is my love tell me
Define my love for you
Fuck me kick me suck me hit me
Treat me however you want sexually
What is a fuck what is a fuck tell me
What does the act of sex mean to you
Take it shake it bend it break it
Deal with it, handle it with the way you want
What is my life what is my life take it
Interpret and live your own life in your own way
Thrill me kill me fill me make it
Excite me, fulfill me, make it happen
What is the truth what is the truth fake it
Even if you don't know the truth, pretend you do
See me be me hear me fear me
Observe me, let me be myself, listen to me, be afraid of me
What is the truth is the truth near me
Is the truth in close proximity to me?
School me fool me rule me drool me
Teach me, deceive me, control me, humiliate me
What is the truth what is the truth fool me
Even if you don't know the truth, deceive and manipulate me
Can you can't you do you don't you
Are you able or not willing to do something
Hear my reply don't ask me why will you
Listen to my answer, without questioning it
Help me leave me feed me bleed me
Assist me or abandon me, sustain me or harm me
Need me to lie what is a lie tell me
Do you require me to tell a falsehood, what is a lie to you?
I know nothing.....
I am ignorant and informed about some things
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind