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
Dirty Lies
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never said you had to like me, I never shoved shit down your throat
But you still act like you're aboye me with all that heartless crap you wrote
You try to suffocate me, you try to violate me
You try to fill me full with all your dirty lies
You try to ridicule me, but I won't let you fool me
'Cos you're so pitiful and easy to despise
What have you done that might impress me, I can't think of anything at all
Don't even want you to address me, It's not as if you make the cells
You compensate your lack of talent, talentlessly slagging what you hate
How does it feel to kill a debutante, so you can put food on your plate?
You try to suffocate me, you try to violate me
You try to fill me full with all your dirty lies
You try to ridicule me, but I won't let you fool me
'Cos you're so pitiful and easy to despise
easy to despise
I don't know how to rate a failure, so I got nothing more to say,
And I'm so sick of your behavior, so watch me when I walk away
You try to suffocate me, you try to violate me
You try to fill me full with all your dirty lies
You try to ridicule me, but I won't let you fool me
'Cos you're so pitiful and easy to despise
easy to despise
The lyrics of Clawfinger's song Dirty Lies are addressing a person who is treating the singer with disrespect and contempt. The singer is aware of the other person's negative attitude towards them, but they don't let it get to them. They are not interested in pleasing the other person or making them like them. The singer considers the whole situation futile and devoid of meaning. Despite all this, the other person continues to heap insults and lies upon them.
The singer sees through the other person's behavior and recognizes it as an attempt to suffocate and violate them. The other person is trying to make the singer believe their lies and ridiculing them in the process. However, the singer refuses to be fooled and sees through them. At the same time, the singer is disgusted by the other person's behavior and finds them easy to despise.
In the end, the singer has had enough and decides to walk away. They are tired of the other person's failure and negative behavior. The lyrics of Clawfinger's Dirty Lies are a powerful critique of people who use lies, ridicule, and disrespect to harm others.
Line by Line Meaning
Your treat me like I'm fucking useless, what makes you think I even care I think this whole affair is fruitless and it won't lead to anywhere
You treat me disrespectfully, without any consideration, why would you expect me to react? This whole relationship is worthless, with no hope for improvement.
I never said you had to like me, I never shoved shit down your throat But you still act like you're above me with all that heartless crap you wrote
I never forced you to accept me or my ideas, but you still act superior and cruel with the hurtful messages you send.
You try to suffocate me, you try to violate me You try to fill me full with all your dirty lies
You strive to overpower me, to abuse me both physically and mentally with all your deceitful tales.
You try to ridicule me, but I won't let you fool me 'Cos you're so pitiful and easy to despise easy to despise
You attempt to mock me or mislead me, but I'm not deceived by you as you're pathetic and despicable.
What have you done that might impress me, I can't think of anything at all Don't even want you to address me, It's not as if you make the cells You compensate your lack of talent, talentlessly slagging what you hate How does it feel to kill a debutante, so you can put food on your plate?
I don't see any reason to value you or your actions. You don't even deserve to talk to me because you haven't accomplished anything significant. Instead, you try to make up for your lack of talent by bashing others, including innocent and inexperienced people.
I don't know how to rate a failure, so I got nothing more to say, And I'm so sick of your behavior, so watch me when I walk away
I'm unable to assign any worth to a person who fails repeatedly, thus I have nothing left to discuss. Moreover, I'm fed up with your conduct, so don't be surprised when I leave and don't look back.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind