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
I Guess I
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why did you leave so many things undone
I only scratched the surface of the thoughts you had within
and for me your life had just begun
Why did you think that you were never good enough to give
when you accepted me right from the start
I never saw the side of you that didn't want to live
and I miss you from the bottom of my heart
what kind of thoughts were buried inside
was there really no one there you thought would understand
or was the only barrier your pride
with so much love around you I just wish you'd loved yourself
'cause no one here can ever take your place
you were someone special and my words just can't express
how much I miss the warmth of your embrace
Why did you just give in
why did you just give up and let it go
I guess I'll never know
It's hard to see you disappear without a real good bye
there's so many things I wish I'd said
But all the little things you did that made it all worthwhile
meant more than all the tears you ever shed
You always seemed so happy but I guess no one can tell
what goes on inside a persons mind
you loved your children dearly and you did your very best
and someone new like you is hard to find
Chorus
All the things you went through for your children every day
and all the sacrifices that you made
were worth much more than anything that wealth could ever buy
and now that love can never be repaid
In the end I guess you couldn't take it anymore
so you closed your eyes and swallowed all your pain
I know that you've done the same so many times before
but all the questions in my mind remain
The lyrics to Clawfinger's song "I Guess I'll Never Know" offer a poignant reflection on a loved one who has tragically taken their own life. The verses explore the confusion and sadness of those left behind, struggling to comprehend why they were never privy to the true thoughts and feelings of the deceased, and grappling with the realization that they may never know the full reasons behind their decision.
The opening lines express the difficulty of accepting that someone close to you has given up, leaving loose ends and unanswered questions in their wake. The singer acknowledges that, despite years spent together, they only scratched the surface of the complicated inner life of the person they have lost. The lyrics go on to ask why this person thought they were not good enough to give, despite accepting the singer right from the start.
The second verse delves further into this self-destructive mindset, asking what kind of thoughts were buried inside and speculating on the role of pride in preventing the deceased from reaching out for help. Despite the love that surrounded them, the person could not love themselves enough to keep going. The chorus laments the fact that there may never be an answer to these questions, but acknowledges that the void left by this person's absence will never be filled.
Overall, Clawfinger's "I Guess I'll Never Know" is a moving tribute to someone who has been lost to suicide. Through its heartfelt lyrics, the song reveals the pain and confusion of those left behind, while also celebrating the love and sacrifice of the person being remembered.
Line by Line Meaning
After all these precious years you chose to just give in
After spending so much time alive, you decided to give up and leave
Why did you leave so many things undone
I wonder why you left so many things unfinished
I only scratched the surface of the thoughts you had within
I only got a glimpse of what you were really thinking about
and for me your life had just begun
From my perspective, your life still had so much potential
Why did you think that you were never good enough to give
Why did you believe that you were unable to contribute?
when you accepted me right from the start
You accepted me immediately despite feeling inadequate
I never saw the side of you that didn't want to live
I never saw you express the desire to die
and I miss you from the bottom of my heart
I miss you deeply and sincerely
What was it that you never told a soul about yourself
What secrets did you keep about yourself that nobody knew?
what kind of thoughts were buried inside
What kind of hidden thoughts did you keep within you?
was there really no one there you thought would understand
Did you really think nobody would be able to comprehend your thoughts?
or was the only barrier your pride
Perhaps your pride was the only thing preventing you from sharing your thoughts
with so much love around you I just wish you'd loved yourself
With so many people who cared for you, I wish you also loved yourself
'cause no one here can ever take your place
Because nobody else could ever replace the role you played in our lives
you were someone special and my words just can't express
You were unique and my words cannot fully describe how incredible you were
how much I miss the warmth of your embrace
I miss your comforting hug immensely
Why did you just give in
Why did you surrender so easily?
why did you just give up and let it go
Why did you give up and let things happen?
I guess I'll never know
I suppose I'll never understand why you did what you did
It's hard to see you disappear without a real good bye
It's difficult to comprehend that you left without a proper farewell
there's so many things I wish I'd said
I regret not having expressed many things to you
But all the little things you did that made it all worthwhile
All the seemingly insignificant things you did were immensely valuable
meant more than all the tears you ever shed
These small gestures were more important than all the crying you ever did
You always seemed so happy but I guess no one can tell
You always appeared happy, but I understand that it's impossible to fully understand somebody's thoughts and feelings
what goes on inside a persons mind
What somebody thinks and feels cannot always be seen or understood by others
you loved your children dearly and you did your very best
You loved your children greatly and always did your utmost for them
and someone new like you is hard to find
People like you are difficult to come by
All the things you went through for your children every day
The daily trials and tribulations you faced for your children
and all the sacrifices that you made
And all the personal sacrifices you made for their wellbeing
were worth much more than anything that wealth could ever buy
The things that truly mattered to you were far more valuable than any material possessions
and now that love can never be repaid
We can never fully repay the love and devotion you gave us
In the end I guess you couldn't take it anymore
Ultimately, you were unable to handle it any longer
so you closed your eyes and swallowed all your pain
You chose to suppress your pain and suffer in silence
I know that you've done the same so many times before
I'm aware that you have handled situations this way frequently in the past
but all the questions in my mind remain
However, I still have many unanswered questions on my mind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rutgerhauerfan
This song has always made me sad, and after I heard about my little sister's friend's suicide, it makes me bawl my eyes out. The lyrics are so true.
Stigimigi666
still my favorite group, i just love the lyrics and the voice
ParalizaVN
I love this song!!!
Gabriel Mar
Im really impressed, its a very nice song !!!!
Viktor Jönsson
love this song!!
Andreas tengvert
The best clawfinger song!!!!
Michael Maher
Great track, expertly constructed and truly moving.
Ragnar Stálfjall
the less is sometimes more! Great song!
Mateus Araújo
love this song
F Waldner
one of the best bands from Sweden!!!