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
Pin Me Down
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By fooling myself with ill-concealed dissatisfaction
I can't take it anymore I can't stand the situation
I don't want to be a victim of another confrontation
I'll pretend that I know I need you to sympathize
I'm so unsure of myself so please don't you criticize
You can bend me and shake me you can twist me till I break
And whatever you do I'll take the blame for your mistakes
I put my hands over my mouth
When I need to shout
You pin me down
I learn to hate myself instead of letting it out
Pin me down
I put my hands over my mouth
When I need to shout
You pin me down
I learn to hate myself instead of letting it out
You want to shape me up that you can mould me in
You want to fold me out just so you can fit me in
You feed me full with your discriminating terrible lies
What do you want from me should I believe in all your alibies
I don't know where to go so which way should I turn
I try to understand but you don't want me to learn
You tie my feet to the ground there's not a chance I can walk
I want to scream but you gag my mouth so I can't talk
Pin me down
I put my hands over my mouth
When I need to shout
You pin me down
I learn to hate myself instead of letting it out
Pin me down
I put my hands over my mouth
When I need to shout
You pin me down
I learn to hate myself instead of letting it
Letting it out
Letting it out
Letting it out
Letting it out
You want to stretch me out just so you pin me down
You want to dry me out just so you can watch me drown
You want to watch me starve so you can force me to eat
And then you knock me down when I'm back on my feet
Pin me down
I put my hands over my mouth
When I need to shout
You pin me down
I learn to hate myself instead of letting it out
Pin me down
I put my hands over my mouth
When I need to shout
You pin me down
I learn to hate myself instead of letting it
Pin me down
You pin me down
The lyrics of Clawfinger's "Pin Me Down" describe a person who is struggling with their inner thoughts and emotions, but instead of expressing them, they are hiding and denying them. The person is living in a situation where they feel like a victim of constant confrontation and are unsure of themselves. They are pretending that they know they need someone's sympathy and are afraid of criticism. The person feels like they are being controlled and manipulated by someone else who is constantly shaping and moulding them into something that they are not. The person also feels like they are being held back and unable to express themselves freely by the other's constant suppression, control and violence.
The song is about the struggle to break free from the control and manipulation of others and to find the strength to express oneself honestly. The lyrics also suggest that the person's lack of emotional freedom leads to a self-hatred, which they are unable to express.
Overall, the song Pin Me Down is about the struggle to break free from a toxic and controlling relationship, and the inability to express oneself emotionally freely leads to self-hatred.
Line by Line Meaning
I try to hide and deny my inner thoughts and true reactions
I am attempting to keep my real feelings and reactions hidden from others.
By fooling myself with ill-concealed dissatisfaction
I am attempting to trick myself into believing that I am happy when in reality I am not.
I can't take it anymore I can't stand the situation
I am no longer able to tolerate the current situation and I am at my breaking point.
I don't want to be a victim of another confrontation
I do not wish to be involved in another conflict or argument with someone else.
I'll pretend that I know I need you to sympathize
I may pretend to understand and require your empathy even though I am unsure if it will be genuine.
I'm so unsure of myself so please don't you criticize
I lack self-confidence and therefore I request that others refrain from criticizing me as it may cause me to feel worse about myself.
You can bend me and shake me you can twist me till I break
You have the ability to control and manipulate me to the point where I may eventually shatter.
And whatever you do I'll take the blame for your mistakes
Despite the fact that the fault may not be my own, I will nevertheless take responsibility for any errors or blunders that you may have made.
Pin me down
You have the ability to immobilize me and restrict my ability to express myself.
I put my hands over my mouth
I physically prevent myself from speaking out or expressing my emotions.
When I need to shout
During moments where I feel a strong urge to express my emotions through a loud vocalization.
You pin me down
You continue to restrict me and prevent me from standing up or asserting myself.
I learn to hate myself instead of letting it out
As a result of not being able to freely express myself, I have started to develop negative feelings towards myself instead of expressing the negative emotions outwardly.
You want to shape me up that you can mould me in
You desire to control me and shape me to fit a specific mold or image that you have in mind.
You want to fold me out just so you can fit me in
You wish to alter or modify me in a way that may cause me discomfort or inconvenience so that I better fit into your predetermined view of me.
You feed me full with your discriminating terrible lies
You are supplying me with false and discriminatory information that is harmful to my well-being.
What do you want from me should I believe in all your alibies
I am unsure of what your intentions are and whether or not I should trust the explanations that you provide.
I don't know where to go so which way should I turn
I am lost and uncertain of what my next move should be.
I try to understand but you don't want me to learn
Despite my attempts to comprehend the situation, you are purposely neglectful in providing me with the knowledge I require to understand the situation more fully.
You tie my feet to the ground there's not a chance I can walk
You are limiting my freedom of movement and preventing me from taking any action or making any progress.
I want to scream but you gag my mouth so I can't talk
I feel a strong desire to express myself vocally, but you are preventing me from being able to do so by silencing me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fragmenta Official
That's how metal bass is meant to sound... literally like metal. The rapper's deep voice is wicked. Much better than the whine of Fred Durst.
HerrKryo
man, i remember at college when this came out. great stuff, and rock-wise there´s not much going on in my country. great, great, great....remembering that was a bit after the time everyone was into grunge. now i feel really old.....damn
Алексей Дириев
This music is ahead of its time.🤘
Limou Zine
The lyrics are more relevant today's world than when the song was released.
yotam amit
this is one of the best rap metal songs ever! damn groovy
Solid State
One of my favourite songs. Even years before I knew I was the scapegoat child to my narcissitic mother.
George Avouris
Another great band.I always loved that song.
Jack Plaza
i just found these guys. theyre epic
highway to health!
Epic track never get bored listening...
curbdog64
classic & a timeless piece, just as good as the 1st time I heard this