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
RealiTV
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
when the biggest problem is the violence in reality
you say the media's responsable for choosing what they show
but I think we're all smart enough to know
that the news is here to show us what is really going on,
entertainment isn't real so how could it be wrong
There ain't no point in banning everything you hate to see,
cos if you don't approve all you really have to do is turn off your tv
Violence was here before we had the television,
so I don't think the people really need your supervision
cos' nobody was laughing when the scenes of war exploded,
it's easier to laugh when the gun ain't loaded
In reality you're dead when you're a victim of a gun
but on a television show the situation can be fun
cos' the biggest jokes in life are always based on our reality,
the difference is an actor doesn't kill to make his salary
You can't stop the violence with your fake morality
cos human nature made brutality
You can't stop the violence with your fake morality
when human nature made brutality
Why are you complaining, why are you complaining, why are you complaining
the only real problem is the violence in reality
if you want to ban a violent show then ban the news
cos' that's the only film everybody's gonna lose
You can't chose and no one's getting payed,
the only thing that's happening is people getting slayed
Film fiction is a reflection of the facts of real life,
it's impossible to kill somebody with a plastic knife,
so why are you complaining about the violence that you see on tv
when the only real problem is the violence in reality
You can't stop the violence with your fake morality
cos human nature made brutality
You can't stop the violence with your fake morality
when human nature made brutality
Why are you complaining, why are you complaining, why are you complaining
the only real problem is the violence in reality...etc
Clawfinger's song RealiTV, challenges the notion that the media is solely responsible for the violence that permeates society. It argues that entertainment is not real and, therefore, cannot be blamed for the violence we see in reality. The song suggests that people should take responsibility for what they choose to watch and it's their choice if they want to turn off their TV instead of banning every show they don't like. The song further explores the relationship between reality and fiction, pointing out that while it's true that many violent situations occur in real life, nobody is laughing when these violent situations happen. On the contrary, when it's just a show, it's easier to be entertained by the violence. The song also highlights the fact that violence has been around throughout human history, long before the invention of the television. It concludes that the only real problem is the violence in reality, and that people should not blame the media for the violence that exists in society, but take responsibility for their own actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Why are you complaining about the violence on tv
when the biggest problem is the violence in reality
Questioning why people are targeting TV for violence, when reality is the bigger issue
you say the media's responsable for choosing what they show
but I think we're all smart enough to know
that the news is here to show us what is really going on,
entertainment isn't real so how could it be wrong
Contradicting those who blame the media for their choice of content, pointing out the distinction between news and entertainment
There ain't no point in banning everything you hate to see,
cos if you don't approve all you really have to do is turn off your tv
Arguing against calls to ban violent content, suggesting viewers have the power to avoid it
Violence was here before we had the television,
so I don't think the people really need your supervision
Highlighting the long-standing presence of violence and questioning the need for guidance on its depiction
cos' nobody was laughing when the scenes of war exploded,
it's easier to laugh when the gun ain't loaded
Explaining that real violence is not humorous, while fictionalized violence can be easier to accept due to its fictitious nature
In reality you're dead when you're a victim of a gun
but on a television show the situation can be fun
cos' the biggest jokes in life are always based on our reality,
the difference is an actor doesn't kill to make his salary
Drawing a contrast between the harmful effects of real-life gun violence and the fictitious nature of televised depictions, emphasizing that actors do not harm others for the purpose of entertainment
You can't stop the violence with your fake morality
cos human nature made brutality
You can't stop the violence with your fake morality
when human nature made brutality
Rejecting the idea that banning violent content will solve the problem of violence, positing that human nature is responsible for such behavior
if you want to ban a violent show then ban the news
cos' that's the only film everybody's gonna lose
You can't chose and no one's getting payed,
the only thing that's happening is people getting slayed
Proposing that if violent content is to be banned, news must also be included, as it too depicts violence and often requires a sense of authenticity
Film fiction is a reflection of the facts of real life,
it's impossible to kill somebody with a plastic knife,
so why are you complaining about the violence that you see on tv
when the only real problem is the violence in reality
Asserting that violence in film reflects violence in real life, but the former is not responsible for the latter, suggesting that focus should be on preventing violence in reality
Why are you complaining, why are you complaining, why are you complaining
the only real problem is the violence in reality...etc
Reiterating the central message that violence in reality is the true problem, and questioning why viewers direct their complaints toward fictional depictions
Contributed by Noah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hexen525
I got it on the Two Sides single. Fucking love this song!!!
LeoLH
@XDoomriderX You can find it on the remastered edition of the album "Clawfinger" and on the "Two Sides" single! :)