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
Are You Man Enough
Clawfinger Lyrics
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Being armed up to the teeth that means you don't have to run
Better safe than being sorry, better alive than being dead
Better him than me you say as you aim your gun at his head
You live your life at gunpoint don't be scared be prepared
It's peace you say that you fight for but it's war you declare
Take a life to save a life you call that living in peace?
It takes more than a piece of metal for the peace to increase
Are you man enough to hold a gun?
Are you man enough to turn your back and run?
Are you man enough to take a life?
Are you man enough to make one?
With your finger stuck on the trigger you're one hell of a man
But you won't be much of a macho when the blood's on your hands
If you live by the gun you'll die by the gun I promise you that
And you ain't got a goddamn thing if all you've got is a gat
History repeats itself but still we don't pull the brakes
What will it take for us to learn to learn from our own mistakes
I'd rather die defending my own right to never bare arms
Than live pretending a gun will keep me safe from bodily harm
Chorus
If sacrifice is the price for freedom then tell me what's the use
killing someone to prove that killing is wrong still ain't no excuse
how can you believe that death will make the suffering cease
prepare to sacrifice your life once the bullets released
Chorus
The lyrics of Clawfinger’s song “Are You Man Enough” highlight the theme of using violence to resolve conflicts. The song questions the notion of protecting oneself by carrying a gun and advocates for peaceful ways to resolve conflicts. The first stanza talks about the need to be armed to protect oneself from others who may also be carrying guns. However, the lyrics also suggest that being armed only begets more violence and can lead to a tragic end.
The chorus questions what it means to be a ‘man’ in a world where violence and use of firearms are commonplace. The lines “Are you man enough to hold a gun? Are you man enough to turn your back and run? Are you man enough to take a life? Are you man enough to make one?” showcase how, in this world, there are toxic notions of masculinity that revolve around a willingness to resort to violence.
The second stanza suggests that those who live their lives at gunpoint are not fighting for peace but are declaring war. It also highlights the paradoxical idea of taking a life to save a life, which is counter to peaceful co-existence. The lyrics suggest that weapons cannot bring an end to conflicts and are not the answer.
Overall, the song urges listeners to question the use of violence and reminds us that true peace can only be achieved through peaceful means.
Line by Line Meaning
Get a gun to protect yourself from someone else with a gun
The idea of getting a weapon to shield oneself from someone else who is also weaponized.
Being armed up to the teeth that means you don't have to run
Being heavily armed indicates that one won't have to flee to evade danger.
Better safe than being sorry, better alive than being dead
Remaining cautious is always preferable to hindsight realization; staying alive is better than a person losing their life.
Better him than me you say as you aim your gun at his head
Justifying the use of your firearm to take another's life with, 'better them than me,' as you point the weapon at their head.
You live your life at gunpoint don't be scared be prepared
Living life while always under the menace of a firearm does make one nervous, so the only alternative is preparation.
It's peace you say that you fight for but it's war you declare
Claiming to be waging a battle for peace, but instead initiating a conflict.
Take a life to save a life you call that living in peace?
Drawing a parallel between taking a life and preserving a life; questioning if it's equivalent to peaceful living.
It takes more than a piece of metal for the peace to increase
A peaceful environment necessitates more than possessing a metallic weapon.
Are you man enough to hold a gun?
Asking if someone is brave enough to carry a firearm.
Are you man enough to turn your back and run?
Questioning whether a person is brave enough to confront fear and walk away from violence.
Are you man enough to take a life?
Asking someone if they possess the audacity to kill someone.
Are you man enough to make one?
Asking if a person is sufficiently courageous to facilitate the creation of something meaningful.
With your finger stuck on the trigger you're one hell of a man
A sarcastic jibe about someone always ready to fire their gun being held in high regard.
But you won't be much of a macho when the blood's on your hands
The notion of masculinity disappearing quickly as soon as there's evidence of their bloodshed.
If you live by the gun you'll die by the gun I promise you that
If a person lives a life constantly reliant on firearms, they will die due to a firearm injury sooner or later.
And you ain't got a goddamn thing if all you've got is a gat
Highlighting that mere ownership of a gun doesn't equate to anything significant.
History repeats itself but still we don't pull the brakes
Even though history shows the dangers of firearms, society continues to ignore it.
What will it take for us to learn to learn from our own mistakes
An appeal to learn from history and not repeat the same pattern of mistakes.
I'd rather die defending my own right to never bare arms
The preference for dying rather than having to carry a weapon at any point to protect oneself.
Than live pretending a gun will keep me safe from bodily harm
Living while thinking that owning a firearm will ensure physical security is nothing but a facade.
If sacrifice is the price for freedom then tell me what's the use
Questioning the need to lose something significant as a cost for liberty.
Killing someone to prove that killing is wrong still ain't no excuse
Killing anyone to affirm the pointlessness of murder isn't a justifiable excuse.
How can you believe that death will make the suffering cease
Doubting the justification behind violence, as the aftermath of suffering continues.
Prepare to sacrifice your life once the bullets released
Mentally preparing yourself to be ready for the consequence of your violent, firearm-oriented actions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind