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
Save Our Souls
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When an innocent child is allowed to drown out at sea
Our flags are just fiction, our borders just air
So regardless of roots you can't tell me that you don't care
Becos' I know for a fact that when it's at your front door
When it's your youngest child that you see washed ashore
When the bombs are in your backyard and you're under attack
When the victim is you, you'll be the first to react
Every life is a cost, every soul is a sell
We're all cynics at best, we're all under a spell
We don't do a thing about it
Every hand is a help, every dream is a hope
We're all doing our best, we're all trying to cope
There's no reason we should doubt it
So if we let them in, and then force them back
And build a big fucking wall, what kind of signal is that
We care a lot but we don't, because we don't want to lose
The benefits that we have, because we've all paid our dues
When it makes the news and you're safe in your own home
It's so easy to care, in your own comfort zone
So we take what we get, like a natural fact
But we don't seem to care enough to give something back
Every life is a cost, every soul is a sell
We're all cynics at best, we're all under a spell
We don't do a thing about it
Every hand is a help, every dream is a hope
We're all doing our best, we're all trying to cope
There's no reason we should doubt it
The truth is so plain despite our different names
Cos'at the end of the day we're all really the same
Our skin colours may vary, our religion as well
But we all want forgiveness, from heaven or hell
Every life is a cost, every soul is a sell
We're all cynics at best, we're all under a spell
We don't do a thing about it
Every hand is a help, every dream is a hope
We're all doing our best, we're all trying to cope
There's no reason we should doubt it
In "Save Our Souls" by Clawfinger, the lyrics are a commentary on the refugee crisis and the lack of action and empathy from those living in comfortable environments. The opening line, "Pardon my French, but it's all Greek to me" is an expression of confusion and denial to understand the reality of the situation. The second line, "When an innocent child is allowed to drown out at sea" is a reference to the tragic incident of the death of Alan Kurdi, a Syrian Kurdish boy whose picture went viral in 2015 after he drowned in the Mediterranean.
The chorus "Every life is a cost, every soul is a sell" is a reflection of the global capitalist system where human life and dignity are secondary to profit and political interest. The lyrics also criticize those who claim to care but lack the will to take action when it is needed the most. The line "We care a lot but we don't because we don't want to lose the benefits that we have" is a reference to the fear of losing personal comfort and privilege.
The song calls for empathy and action towards those who are suffering regardless of race, religion or nationality. The final line "We're all doing our best, we're all trying to cope, there's no reason we should doubt it" is a message of hope and the acknowledgement that change can only be achieved if people come together and take action.
Line by Line Meaning
Pardon my french, but it's all greek to me
I don't understand the situation
When an innocent child is allowed to drown out at sea
It's tragic when innocent lives are lost
Our flags are just fiction, our borders just air
National borders are imaginary and divisive
So regardless of roots you can't tell me that you don't care
Everyone should care about human suffering
Becos' I know for a fact that when it's at your front door
People only care when bad things happen to them personally
When it's your youngest child that you see washed ashore
Personal tragedy is the only thing that moves people
When the bombs are in your backyard and you're under attack
People only take action when they are directly threatened
When the victim is you, you'll be the first to react
People only care when they are the victim
Every life is a cost, every soul is a sell
People value money over human life
We're all cynics at best, we're all under a spell
Society is blinded by materialism and selfishness
We don't do a thing about it
People are unwilling to take action to help others
Every hand is a help, every dream is a hope
We should all strive to help others and achieve our own dreams
We're all doing our best, we're all trying to cope
Everyone is struggling with their own problems
There's no reason we should doubt it
We should believe in ourselves and our ability to make a positive difference
So if we let them in, and then force them back
We shouldn't invite people in and then reject them
And build a big fucking wall, what kind of signal is that
Building walls is a negative signal to the world
We care a lot but we don't, because we don't want to lose
People only care if it doesn't affect their own self-interest
The benefits that we have, because we've all paid our dues
People are selfish and unwilling to share their resources
When it makes the news and you're safe in your own home
People only care about issues when they become widely publicized
It's so easy to care, in your own comfort zone
People are only willing to care from a safe distance
So we take what we get, like a natural fact
People accept the status quo without question
But we don't seem to care enough to give something back
People aren't willing to help others or make a positive impact
The truth is so plain despite our different names
Despite our differences, we share a common humanity
Cos'at the end of the day we're all really the same
We are all fundamentally alike
Our skin colours may vary, our religion as well
People have different ethnicities and beliefs
But we all want forgiveness, from heaven or hell
We all seek redemption and forgiveness
Writer(s): erlend ottem, bård torstensen, jocke skog, zak tell
Contributed by Declan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@1974dots
Так держать! Лучший камбэк за последние 20 лет.
@user-cg7cg3op7f
Да круто. Зак - просто певец мира.
@KieseMusic
New stuff from Clawfinger? Hell yeah!!! This song gets even better and better every time I´m listening. Thank you!
@NEBNOC
LOL
@cliff2040
До слез, группа-эпоха.
@user-zc4pm4dc8v
Был приятно удивлен о возвращении Clawfinger. Ребята лабают в своем стиле.
Все нынешние группы похожи до безобразия.
Внесите каплю меда в море дегтя!))))))Покажите молодым , как надо делать музыку =))))))))))))) we are waiting .....))))
@samreg63.
Абсолютно поддерживаю,дружище.C 93-го Они как начали,так и остались лучшими по сей день.C самого первого альбома фанат.
@siriussirius6279
Артём Д. А новый саунд вообще в клочья рвет! Главное репкору не изменяют ))
@user-xz6hf7cq5g
Они лучшие
@user-dg2te3pf7n
Не, чувак, уже не то. Нет плотного жесткого звука и злых текстов. Драйва нет, в общем.