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
Crazy
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause the logic of the story is impossible to find
Like a talking head I'm gonna stop making sense
'Cause bad news is like sitting on a burning fence
I've got one hot minute of the higher ground
And like Simon said I know the silence is the sound
Never mind I'll reach Nirvana if I have to pay
I'm a fool for a lifetime and a king for a day
Crazy I'm going fucking crazy
Crazy I'm going fucking crazy
Crazy I'm going fucking crazy
Crazy I'm going fucking crazy
I am looser looking for the gold
But in the garden of sound you know the story's getting old
So I'll sow my korn by the Helmet in the Bush
And in the meantime I want you all to help me push
With the Tool of intolerance I'm ready to crack
'Cause I've got Suicidal Tendencies so lets get
And take a rollercoaster ride to the bizarre side
Crazy I'm going fucking crazy
Crazy I'm going fucking crazy
Crazy I'm going fucking crazy
Crazy I'm going fucking crazy
I'm insane in the brain like a lonely tune
And I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
I'm the man in the box locked up in chains
And I'm buried deep down underneath the remains
I'm a psycho-maniac, welcome to my nightmare
I'll use your brain like chemical warfare
I'm out of mind let's count the bodies from dead
The lyrics in Clawfinger's "Crazy" express a feeling of madness and confusion. The singer feels like they are going crazy and losing their mind because they can't find any logical explanation for what is happening. The line "Like a talking head I'm gonna stop making sense" speaks to the frustration of trying to make sense of something that is senseless. The mention of bad news being like sitting on a burning fence implies that the truth is painful and difficult to confront.
Despite the chaos and confusion, the singer has a brief moment of clarity on the higher ground. They reference Simon and the idea that silence can be a powerful tool. They are willing to pay a price to reach Nirvana and escape their insanity. The lyrics also make reference to other bands and songs, such as Helmet's "In The Meantime" and Suicidal Tendencies, which adds to the sense of being lost in a chaotic world.
The song's chorus repeats the word "crazy" in a frenzied manner, emphasizing the feeling of madness that the singer is experiencing. The lyrics also make reference to the dark side of the moon and being buried deep underneath the remains, which adds to the ominous tone of the song. Ultimately, the singer is embracing their insanity and using it as a tool to navigate the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I'm going crazy I'm loosing my mind
I am feeling mentally unstable and struggling to stay sane
'Cause the logic of the story is impossible to find
I cannot make sense of the situation or story at hand, it is incomprehensible
Like a talking head I'm gonna stop making sense
I will cease trying to make sense of the situation because it is futile
'Cause bad news is like sitting on a burning fence
Receiving negative news is as uncomfortable and painful as sitting on a burning fence
I've got one hot minute of the higher ground
I have a brief moment of superiority or advantage
And like Simon said I know the silence is the sound
I understand that sometimes silence can be louder than any noise or sound
Never mind I'll reach Nirvana if I have to pay
I am determined to achieve a state of enlightenment, even if it comes at a cost
I'm a fool for a lifetime and a king for a day
I am willing to be seen as foolish for a lifetime if it means having a brief moment of greatness or power
I am looser looking for the gold
I am a failure or underdog trying to find success or wealth
But in the garden of sound you know the story's getting old
In this world of noise and commotion, the same story or theme is being repeated and is becoming tiresome
So I'll sow my korn by the Helmet in the Bush
I will plant my own seeds or create my own path despite what others may advise or criticize
And in the meantime I want you all to help me push
I am asking for support or encouragement from others to help me achieve my goals
With the Tool of intolerance I'm ready to crack
I am willing to use extreme or harsh methods to break through obstacles or challenges
'Cause I've got Suicidal Tendencies so lets get
I am willing to take dangerous or risky actions due to my reckless or self-destructive tendencies
And take a rollercoaster ride to the bizarre side
Let's embrace the strange, unusual, or unexplainable aspect of life and enjoy the ride
I'm insane in the brain like a lonely tune
I am mentally unwell or unstable, similar to a sad, solitary melody
And I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
I will meet you in a place or state of despair, similar to the far side of the moon that is always hidden from view
I'm the man in the box locked up in chains
I feel trapped, restricted and powerless
And I'm buried deep down underneath the remains
I feel like I am buried alive or oppressed by the weight of past events or circumstances
I'm a psycho-maniac, welcome to my nightmare
I am unhinged or mentally unstable, and I am inviting others to witness or experience my chaos
I'll use your brain like chemical warfare
I am willing to manipulate, control or exploit others' thoughts and emotions as if they were a weapon in chemical warfare
I'm out of mind let's count the bodies from dead
I have lost my mind or sanity, so let's tally up the casualties or negative consequences resulting from my actions or words
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind