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
Rosegrove
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never even got a chance to get away
I take all the crap from your drool attack
The years fly by and I get nothing to say
You expect me to be happy and to be satisfied
With the offer that you once had to give
You don't try to encourage anybody to develop
That's not the way that I want to live
Do that
Come here
You thought
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
I've heard so much shit from the people I hate
That I really couldn't give a fuck
I've been down in the shit for so goddamn long
That everything looks like up
Chorus
You see I'm sick and tired of being tied to the ground
My lungs they were made to shout
I'm stuck in the middle of a rosegrove maze
And I can't seem to find my way out
Chorus
The lyrics to Clawfinger's song "Rosegrove" describe the frustration and suffocation of being stuck in a life that feels suffocating and devoid of growth or progress. The singer starts by acknowledging that they never had a fair chance to begin with - they were "put in the dirt" right from the start. From there, it's a never-ending cycle of taking abuse and getting nothing in return. The singer is expected to be content with what little they were offered, and not encouraged to grow or improve in any way. This feels incredibly suffocating and frustrating, and the singer wonders why they even care about this place at all. They've heard so much garbage from people they hate that they can't even bring themselves to care anymore. They've been in the muck and mire for so long that it all looks the same to them.
The refrain is a desperate cry for change. The singer is tired of being tied down and suffocated. They feel like they were made to do more than this, to shout and scream and make a difference. But they're stuck in a "rosegrove maze" - despite the beauty around them, they can't find their way out. They're trapped and suffocating in the very place that's supposed to be their refuge.
Overall, "Rosegrove" is a powerful anthem for anyone who feels like they're stuck and suffocating in their lives. It's a reminder to keep pushing and fighting for something better, even when it feels like there's no way out.
Line by Line Meaning
Right from the start you know you put me in the dirt
I was defeated and overpowered before I even had a chance to defend myself
I never even got a chance to get away
I was trapped and unable to escape your control
I take all the crap from your drool attack
I endure your insults and belittlement without retaliating
The years fly by and I get nothing to say
I am silenced by your oppression and have no voice or power
You expect me to be happy and to be satisfied
You demand that I be content with my situation, no matter how unfair it is
With the offer that you once had to give
The promise of a better life that you once made to me is now empty and meaningless
You don't try to encourage anybody to develop
You discourage personal growth and improvement in others
That's not the way that I want to live
I refuse to accept a life of stagnation and limitation
Do this
Demanding and controlling behavior
Do that
Demanding and controlling behavior
Come here
Demanding and controlling behavior
You thought
You assumed you could control and manipulate me
I'm still here although I hate it
I am still surviving despite my overwhelming dislike for my circumstances
I wonder why I even care about a place like this
I question why I even bother to care about a situation that is so negative and unchanging
I don't know if I can take it
I doubt my ability to continue living in such an oppressive environment
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
I am fed up with your insults, mistreatment, and disrespect
I've heard so much shit from the people I hate
I have been exposed to negativity and hostility from those who wish to harm me
That I really couldn't give a fuck
I have become immune to their words and actions, and no longer care about their opinions
I've been down in the shit for so goddamn long
I have been living in an oppressive and negative environment for an extended period of time
That everything looks like up
I have become so accustomed to negativity that even minor improvements appear positive
You see I'm sick and tired of being tied to the ground
I am exhausted by my inability to escape from my oppressive situation
My lungs they were made to shout
I am meant to express myself and my thoughts freely, without fear or oppression
I'm stuck in the middle of a rosegrove maze
I am trapped in a confusing and frustrating situation with no easy escape
And I can't seem to find my way out
I am struggling to find a way to break free from my oppressive circumstances
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BARD TORTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOAKIM SKOG, ZAK TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rune Granbakk
Right from the start you know you put me in the dirt
I never even got a chance to get away
I take all the crap from your drool attack
The years fly and I get nothing to say
You expect me to be happy and to be satisfied
With the offer that you once had to give
You don't try to encourage anybody to develop
That's not the way that I want to live
Do this
Do that
Come here
You twat
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
I've heard so much shit from the people I hate
That I really couldn't give a fuck
I've been down in the shit for so goddamn long
That everything looks like up
Do this
Do that
Come here
You twat
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
You see I'm sick and tired of being tied to the ground
My lungs they were made to shout
I'm stuck in the middle of a rose grove maze
And I can't seem to find my way out
Do this
Do that
Come here
You twat
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
vamik
Но я не был трезв, и было мне до пи*ды,
Мне смелость придавал выпитый кир,
И тут передо мною затрещали кусты,
Из них восстал кровавый старый вампир.
Ivan S.
Pro Pain - No love no lost
Leon Belyi
ахаха 😄👍
Rune Granbakk
Right from the start you know you put me in the dirt
I never even got a chance to get away
I take all the crap from your drool attack
The years fly and I get nothing to say
You expect me to be happy and to be satisfied
With the offer that you once had to give
You don't try to encourage anybody to develop
That's not the way that I want to live
Do this
Do that
Come here
You twat
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
I've heard so much shit from the people I hate
That I really couldn't give a fuck
I've been down in the shit for so goddamn long
That everything looks like up
Do this
Do that
Come here
You twat
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
You see I'm sick and tired of being tied to the ground
My lungs they were made to shout
I'm stuck in the middle of a rose grove maze
And I can't seem to find my way out
Do this
Do that
Come here
You twat
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
I'm still here although I hate it
I wonder why I even care about a place like this?
I don't know if I can take it
I've had it up to here with your shit and your piss
Rune Granbakk
Clawfinger at its best. Listen to use your brain album as well.
Jesus Rosario
Nice!!
Doktorworon
Кровь кровь моя грязная кровь
Michał Pa
just like Faith No more
Björn Vercaigne
Not quite teally
Fragmenta Official
Oh yeah, has a Be Aggressive vibe.