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
It
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can smell it in the air I can hear it in your sighs
The way you look at me and the way that you act
The way you make me feel I have to react
Is it beautiful enough to keep you begging for more
It's painful to see I can't take it anymore
Take it anymore
I know what it is I can see it in my dreams
I can make it go away I can make all it disappear
I can make it all right I can make it happen here
Feels like I have to do it it has to be done
It's time to get it over with it's useless to run
Useless to run
It could have been something nice you said to me
But I can hear it in your voice you just pity me
You make fun out of me and every word that I say
And I can hear you laugh when I walk away
So don't try to be nice and don't you try to pretend
You don't know who I am I'm not your friend
You don't think I know but I can read between the lines
Don't smile I'm not your clown I can see all the signs
See all the signs
Nobody knows it and nobody can see
I'm not talking to you but you're smiling at me
I know it's gonna happen but I don't know when
But it's happened before and it can happen again
I want to do things to you that you'll never forget
It's not an empty threat you deserve what you get
Deserve what you get
Time is up
Time is up
Time is up
Time is up
In Clawfinger's song It, the singer is aware of an impending breakup yet struggles to accept the reality of the situation. The lyrics detail his perception of the unspoken cues that his partner is no longer invested in the relationship. From the way she looks at him and reacts to his presence to her sighs, he can sense that the love has faded. Despite this, he remains hesitant to take action and confront her, hoping she will still find him beautiful enough to beg for. The singer acknowledges that he has had similar dreams before and can make the feelings disappear, but deep down, he knows that it is time to move on from the relationship.
The song's theme is relatable to anyone who has gone through a heart-wrenching breakup, where one partner is trying to hold on while the other is trying to let go. The lyrics are evocative and do an excellent job of describing the emotions that accompany such a situation. The composition of the song is straightforward, and the dominating drums and guitars, coupled with the gritty vocals, create an authentic and straightforward sound.
Line by Line Meaning
I can hear it in your voice I can see it in your eyes
I can sense the emotions you're trying to hide
I can smell it in the air I can hear it in your sighs
Your sadness is permeating the atmosphere and I can feel it
The way you look at me and the way that you act
Your actions don't match your words
The way you make me feel I have to react
Your behavior is causing me to respond
Is it beautiful enough to keep you begging for more
Is the illusion I'm presenting attractive enough to make you want more?
It's painful to see I can't take it anymore
The deception hurts me and I can't tolerate it any longer
I know what it is I can see it in my dreams
I understand what's truly happening because it's plaguing my subconscious
I know what it's like I know what it means
I'm familiar with the situation and the consequences
I can make it go away I can make all it disappear
I have the power to eliminate the problem and erase the evidence
I can make it all right I can make it happen here
I can change the circumstances and create a better outcome
Feels like I have to do it it has to be done
It seems like it's my responsibility and the task can't be avoided
It's time to get it over with it's useless to run
It's time to confront the issue because avoiding it won't solve anything
It could have been something nice you said to me
You may have appeared kind but your true intentions were revealed
But I can hear it in your voice you just pity me
I can detect that you feel sorry for me rather than truly caring
You make fun out of me and every word that I say
You belittle me and mock everything I do or say
And I can hear you laugh when I walk away
You take pleasure in ridiculing me even when I'm not present
So don't try to be nice and don't you try to pretend
Don't fake kindness or attempt to deceive me
You don't know who I am I'm not your friend
You don't truly understand me and we aren't acquaintances
You don't think I know but I can read between the lines
You don't believe I'm aware, but I can discern your intentions
Don't smile I'm not your clown I can see all the signs
Don't patronize me, I'm not here for your amusement and I recognize the warning signs
Nobody knows it and nobody can see
No one else is aware of the reality or the truth
I'm not talking to you but you're smiling at me
I'm not engaging with you but you're initiating contact in a disingenuous manner
I know it's gonna happen but I don't know when
I understand the situation will eventually reach its conclusion, but I don't know the timing
But it's happened before and it can happen again
This has occurred previously and it is likely to recur
I want to do things to you that you'll never forget
I have a desire for revenge that will make a lasting impression
It's not an empty threat you deserve what you get
This isn't an idle warning, you'll receive the consequences of your actions
Time is up
The deadline has arrived, the clock has run out
Time is up
The opportunity has passed, the moment has ended
Time is up
There are no more chances, the situation has concluded
Time is up
The time allotted for this endeavor has expired
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stoyan Stoyanov
i can hear it in your voice i can see it in your eyes
i can smell it in the air i can hear it in your sighs
the way you look at me and the way that you act
the way you make me feel i have to react
is it beautiful enough to keep you begging for more
it's painful to see i can't take it anymore
take it anymore
i know what it is i can see it in my dreams
i know what it's like i know what it means
i can make it go away i can make all it disappear
i can make it all right i can make it happen here
feels like i have to do it it has to be done
it's time to get it over with it's useless to run
useless to run
it could have been something nice you said to me
but i can hear it in your voice you just pity me
you make fun out of me and every word that i say
and i can hear you laugh when i walk away
so don't try to be nice and don't you try to pretend
you don't know who i am i'm not your friend
you don't think i know but i can read between the lines
don't smile i'm not your clown i can see all the signs
see all the signs
nobody knows it and nobody can see
i'm not talking to you but you're smiling at me
i know it's gonna happen but i don't know when
but it's happened before and it can happen again
i want to do things to you that you'll never forget
it's not an empty threat you deserve what you get
deserve what you get
time is up
time is up
time is up
time is up
Dan Van D
Probably my favorite hard rock track of all time. That drop into the guitars is so epic! I listened to Clawfinga a lot in my teens. One of the most underrated bands worldwide!
PeteLayburn
I used to really love this... weird, full of tension and kinda disturbing tune. Hope I'm not gonna be the only comment, Clawfinger used to be a good band, in its style.
mátyás andrás Csánk
It's one of the best rap-metal song ever!
Ahmad Emiliano Lafi
Brings me back to when I was a teenager.
Bullet 358
This song is so powerful ...flashback
jan henrik bauer
best song on the album along w "tomorrow". breathe zak breathe.
Wenca Kunda
This is really legendary track...so much fire for fuck sake 🔥
Stoyan Stoyanov
i can hear it in your voice i can see it in your eyes
i can smell it in the air i can hear it in your sighs
the way you look at me and the way that you act
the way you make me feel i have to react
is it beautiful enough to keep you begging for more
it's painful to see i can't take it anymore
take it anymore
i know what it is i can see it in my dreams
i know what it's like i know what it means
i can make it go away i can make all it disappear
i can make it all right i can make it happen here
feels like i have to do it it has to be done
it's time to get it over with it's useless to run
useless to run
it could have been something nice you said to me
but i can hear it in your voice you just pity me
you make fun out of me and every word that i say
and i can hear you laugh when i walk away
so don't try to be nice and don't you try to pretend
you don't know who i am i'm not your friend
you don't think i know but i can read between the lines
don't smile i'm not your clown i can see all the signs
see all the signs
nobody knows it and nobody can see
i'm not talking to you but you're smiling at me
i know it's gonna happen but i don't know when
but it's happened before and it can happen again
i want to do things to you that you'll never forget
it's not an empty threat you deserve what you get
deserve what you get
time is up
time is up
time is up
time is up
PraiseTheSundered
So this is a love song basically ;P.
j n
..good old times..