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 Need You
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all of my frustrations are lying in your bed
All my explanations just don't make any sense
Leave me be babe can't you see the tensions to immense
You just can't understand me so you drag me to the ground
But I don't hear a single word
You just can't bring me down
So don't you dare to criticize the way I think and live
I love you I hate you I kiss you I rape you
I cheat and deceive you I leave you
I love you I hate you I kiss you I rape you
And I cheat and deceive but I need you
You say you really need me and then you close the door
You say you want to leave me and then you beg for more
Well I ain't sentimental so don't try to set a trap
'cause everytime you hug me you stab me in the back
If you want my body then just make love to my mind
And don't try to hurt me 'cause I ain't the hurting kind
I told you that I loved you but you didn't cate at all
I needed you to touch me but instead you crushed my balls
I love you.....
I know I said I need you but that was just a lie
You asked me if I loved you but you never asked me why
So now you've got your answer and I hope you're satisfied
And don't you dare to tell me that you ever even tired
There's nothing I can give you that you ain't already got
'cause even when you've got it all you say that I forgot
To give you all my loving and to give you all my time
There ain't enough for the both of us and right now I want mine
I love you.....
The lyrics of Clawfinger's "I Need You" speak to the singer's confusion and dissatisfaction in his relationship. He feels disillusioned and frustrated, and despite his attempts to explain himself, he feels misunderstood by his partner, who criticizes him and drags him down instead of supporting him. The lyrics are full of contradictions - the singer claims to love his partner, but also hates, kisses, rapes, cheats and deceives her. He needs her even as he acknowledges that his need for her is a lie. He urges her to love his mind, not just his body, and warns her not to hurt him because he is not someone who can take that kind of pain. Ultimately, he seems to be breaking up with his partner, telling her that there is nothing he can give her that she doesn't already have.
Line by Line Meaning
All my disillusions are filling up my head
I am feeling disillusioned and my thoughts are becoming jumbled
And all of my frustrations are lying in your bed
My frustrations are tied to our relationship
All my explanations just don't make any sense
My attempts to explain myself are not getting through to you
Leave me be babe can't you see the tensions to immense
Please give me some space, the tension is too much
You just can't understand me so you drag me to the ground
You don't understand me and your actions are bringing me down
But I don't hear a single word
I am not listening to your criticism
You just can't bring me down
Your actions won't break me
So don't you dare to criticize the way I think and live
Don't judge my thoughts and lifestyle
All you get is what I've got and what I what to give
You'll get what I want to give you, no more
I love you I hate you I kiss you I rape you
My feelings towards you are mixed and conflicted
I cheat and deceive you I leave you
Sometimes I am unfaithful and don't stick around
You say you really need me and then you close the door
You give mixed signals about our relationship
You say you want to leave me and then you beg for more
You want to end things, but keep coming back
Well I ain't sentimental so don't try to set a trap
I won't fall for your emotional manipulations
'cause everytime you hug me you stab me in the back
Your actions hurt me, even when you seem affectionate
If you want my body then just make love to my mind
Connect with me on a deeper level if you want intimacy
And don't try to hurt me 'cause I ain't the hurting kind
I won't stand for being hurt or mistreated
I told you that I loved you but you didn't care at all
I expressed my love, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears
I needed you to touch me but instead you crushed my balls
You hurt me when I was vulnerable
I know I said I need you but that was just a lie
I was not sincere when I said I needed you
You asked me if I loved you but you never asked me why
You are missing the deeper reasons behind my feelings
So now you've got your answer and I hope you're satisfied
I've given you an answer to your question, whether it satisfies you is up to you
And don't you dare to tell me that you ever even tried
Don't try to act innocent or say that you tried to understand me
There's nothing I can give you that you ain't already got
You have everything you need from me already
'cause even when you've got it all you say that I forgot
You find fault with me no matter what
To give you all my loving and to give you all my time
I've already given you as much as I can in terms of love and attention
There ain't enough for the both of us and right now I want mine
We can't both have what we want, and right now I prioritize my own desires
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDREA SKAUG, BARD TORTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOAKIM SKOG, MORTEN SKAUG, ZAK TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind