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
Right To Rape
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is still freed from the charges miraculously if he confesses that he's made a mistake
Is a woman supposed to just spread both her legs and let the sexual ritual proceed
If she doesn't say no to do you have her permission to treat her any which way you please?
Does the fact that she's wasted somehow make it accepted that she can't tell what's
Right from what's wrong.
Are the clothes that she's wearing an oblivious signal that
The rape is allowed to go on. You take it for granted cos' you've got the advantage
It's a logic that I find hard to follow. It still doesn't mean that the decision is
Is yours and I find your excuse hard to swallow
He clears his name
And she gets all the blame
If a woman raped a man
Would the verdict be the same?
He clears his name
And she gets all the blame
If a woman raped a man
Would the verdict be the same?
Tell me what were you thinking, if you even were when you forced her to go all the way
Did you feel like a big man
When you were on top of her
Did you make that bitch pay?
You're not a man, you're the scum of the earth
You had the whole thing
Planned from the start and you've got the guts to say you feel like a virgin
There's not a soft spot in your heart
He clears his name
And she gets all the blame
If a woman raped a man
Would the verdict be the same?
He clears his name
And she gets all the blame
If a woman raped a man
Would the verdict be the same?
You make it seem as if she should have seen it coming as if that was a valid excuse
But whatever you say you still know what you've done and nothing justifies the abuse
It takes two too tango so don't you try and tell us that you were sure that
You heard her say yes
We don't believe you it's your cock doing the talking
So why don't you just fucking confess?
He clears his name
And she gets all the blame
If a woman raped a man
Would the verdict be the same?
He clears his name
And she gets all the blame
If a woman raped a man
Would the verdict be the same?
Right To Rape by Clawfinger is a song that criticizes the way rape cases are handled in the society. It takes a dig at how a man accused of raping a woman is sometimes set free if he confesses to making a mistake. The song asks if it is expected that a woman just spreads her legs and allows sexual relations to continue even if she doesn't consent. The lyrics also question whether a woman's appearance and state of sobriety should give any man the right to treat her in any way he chooses.
The lyrics also bring up the issue of victim-blaming where the woman is blamed for being raped, and the man is set free. The song highlights the unfairness of this kind of judgment and asks whether it would be the same if the genders were reversed.
The song further talks about the insensitivity of the rapist, who was not considerate of the woman's emotions and feelings during the act. The rapist had his intentions of rape right from the start and was only interested in satisfying his own desires.
Overall, Right To Rape is a song that seeks to spark a conversation about the culture surrounding rape and sexual assault. It sends a message out there that rape is a heinous act that cannot be condoned under any circumstance.
Line by Line Meaning
What kind of world is this that we're living in when a man accused guilty of rape
This is a terrible world we live in where men found guilty of rape are acquitted for confessing they were mistaken.
Is still freed from the charges miraculously if he confesses that he's made a mistake
Men found guilty of rape can get away with it if they confess their mistake, a magical get out of jail free card.
Is a woman supposed to just spread both her legs and let the sexual ritual proceed
Are women expected to submit to sexual acts with no resistance or choice?
If she doesn't say no to do you have her permission to treat her any which way you please?
If a woman does not resist sexual advances, does that mean she had given consent and can be treated as the man pleases?
Does the fact that she's wasted somehow make it accepted that she can't tell what's
Being drunk does not mean that a woman cannot distinguish right from wrong in sexual matters
Right from what's wrong.
Are the clothes that she's wearing an oblivious signal that
The way a woman dresses does not automatically mean that she consents to sexual acts.
The rape is allowed to go on. You take it for granted cos' you've got the advantage
Rape happens because the perpetrator has power over the victim and feels entitled.
It's a logic that I find hard to follow. It still doesn't mean that the decision is
This logic that men have control over women's bodies is illogical and flawed.
Is yours and I find your excuse hard to swallow
Men's excuses for their behavior in sexual encounters doesn't justify sexual assault.
He clears his name
And she gets all the blame
These unfair societal standards always put the blame on women, regardless of circumstances.
If a woman raped a man
Would the verdict be the same?
Would the court treat female rapists with the same leniency?
Tell me what were you thinking, if you even were when you forced her to go all the way
What was going through your mind when you forced yourself upon her?
Did you feel like a big man
Did you derive pleasure or satisfaction from forcing someone else to submit?
When you were on top of her
Did you make that bitch pay?
Did you feel like you were 'teaching her a lesson' or punishing her for something?
You're not a man, you're the scum of the earth
Real men don't force themselves on women, they respect their partners and their autonomy.
You had the whole thing
Planned from the start and you've got the guts to say you feel like a virgin
Your premeditated actions does not excuse the assault and your claim of innocence is ridiculous
There's not a soft spot in your heart
Your lack of empathy and understanding makes you incapable of acknowledging the severity of your actions.
You make it seem as if she should have seen it coming as if that was a valid excuse
Blaming the victim for not 'seeing it coming' is not acceptable excuse for rape.
But whatever you say you still know what you've done and nothing justifies the abuse
The perpetrator knows the consequences of their actions but choose to do it anyway. No justification for assault exists.
It takes two too tango so don't you try and tell us that you were sure that
Sex requires both people's consent, and using a lack of resistance as an excuse for rape is unacceptable.
You heard her say yes
We don't believe you it's your cock doing the talking
We reject your claim of voluntary participation and reject your attempts to justify the abuse.
So why don't you just fucking confess?
Why don't you accept responsibility for the crime, instead of denying the trauma experienced and ruining innocent lives?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind