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
Look At Me
Clawfinger Lyrics
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you read my face like I'm a fucking disgrace and you never look me in the eyes
the truth is always easiest to ignore and that's why you walk the other way
but is it really that hard for you to think of something comforting to say
Don't look at me as If I'm different
Don't look at me as If I wasn't there
Don't look at me as If I'm no good
You walk a little faster like you're trying to say that you really haven't got the time
and when I put my hand out for a coin or two you just pretend that you've gone blind
It seems hard for you to show any compassion for me but it wouldn't hurt for you to try
reality can be painfull but tell me have you ever wondered why?
Don't look at me as If I'm different
Don't look at me as If I wasn't there
Don't look at me as If I'm no good
Don't look at me as If you didn't care,as if I wasn't there!
You like to keep a safe distance from me to make sure that we never meet and just in case I might be dangerous you quickly turn and walk across the street
You're so scared of the sight that you see that you decide to never understand
Instead of judging me by the way that I look,accept me for who I am
Instead of judging me by the way that I look,accept me for who I am
Instead of judging me by the way that I look,accept me for who I am
Instead of judging me by the way that I look,accept me for who I am
Don't look at me as If I'm different
Don't look at me as If I wasn't there
Don't look at me as If I'm no good
Don't look at me as If you didn't care,as if I wasn't there!
In the song "Don't Look at Me" by Clawfinger, the singer addresses the way that people treat him differently because of his appearance or social status. He begins by asking why people don't want to talk to him and how it's easier for them to just pass him by. He recognizes that people judge him based on his appearance and don't even look him in the eyes. He understands that it's easier for people to ignore the truth about his situation and walk away, but he wishes that they would at least try to offer some words of comfort.
The chorus of the song repeats the same message four times, "Don't look at me as if I'm different, don't look at me as if I wasn't there, don't look at me as if I'm no good, don't look at me as if you didn't care, as if I wasn't there." The singer is asking the listeners to see him for who he is and not to judge him based on how he looks or his current situation.
The second verse continues with the theme of people avoiding him and not showing any compassion. He recognizes that reality can be painful, but he questions why people don't try to understand his situation instead of just judging him. The last verse addresses the fear that people have of him, assuming that he might be dangerous, and how this fear prevents any kind of meaningful interaction between them. The singer ends by asking the listeners to accept him for who he is and not to judge him based on his appearance.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don't you want to talk to me does it feel easier to pass me by
Are you avoiding me on purpose because it's easier to ignore me?
you read my face like I'm a fucking disgrace and you never look me in the eyes
You judge me based on my appearance and refuse to even make eye contact with me.
the truth is always easiest to ignore and that's why you walk the other way
You choose to ignore the truth about my situation and walk away from me.
but is it really that hard for you to think of something comforting to say
Can't you at least try to show some empathy and say something to make me feel better?
Don't look at me as If I'm different
Please don't treat me like I'm not human.
Don't look at me as If I wasn't there
I exist and deserve to be acknowledged.
Don't look at me as If I'm no good
Don't write me off as worthless just because of my circumstances.
Don't look at me as If you didn't care,as if I wasn't there!
Please don't act like you don't care about me or like I don't matter.
You walk a little faster like you're trying to say that you really haven't got the time
You hurry past me as if you're too busy to acknowledge my existence.
and when I put my hand out for a coin or two you just pretend that you've gone blind
You ignore me when I ask for help or assistance, as if you didn't see or hear me.
It seems hard for you to show any compassion for me but it wouldn't hurt for you to try
You seem to lack any empathy or concern for me, but it wouldn't hurt you to show some kindness.
You like to keep a safe distance from me to make sure that we never meet and just in case I might be dangerous you quickly turn and walk across the street
You purposefully avoid me and keep your distance out of fear that I may be dangerous.
You're so scared of the sight that you see that you decide to never understand
You're so fearful of the situation that you refuse to even try to understand or help.
Instead of judging me by the way that I look,accept me for who I am
Don't make assumptions about me based on my appearance, accept me as a person.
Don't look at me as If I'm different
Please don't treat me like I'm not human.
Don't look at me as If I wasn't there
I exist and deserve to be acknowledged.
Don't look at me as If I'm no good
Don't write me off as worthless just because of my circumstances.
Don't look at me as If you didn't care,as if I wasn't there!
Please don't act like you don't care about me or like I don't matter.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind