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
Step Aside
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who gave you the right decide
What makes you think that you can't do wrong,
Why should the whole world step aside
You can't come and tell me that you're free from sin
'cause' that would be telling a lie
It's not without reason that accidents happen
But still you don't ask yourself why
'cause' you like to think the world spins around you
But that's just so far from the truth
step down from your throne,
It's time you woke up before it blows up in your face
No man is an island,
So stop breeding violence it's neither the time or the place
Just face up to the fact that you get what you give
So expect a payback in return
No one wants to listen to all your complaining
Your problems are not our concern
Your history haunts you like a knife in the back,
Your dreams have all crumbled to dust
According to you you're a god fearing man
But who's version of god should I trust
Everyone is hurting
So don't make it seem as if the only one bleeding is you
'cause' you got off easy in comparisation to the pain that you've put others through
But still you paint up a picture as if you're the victim of some kind of terrible plot
But that isn't true because everyone knows
That you fired the first lethal shot
And still you have the guts to claim to the world
That you're a peace loving country and race
But you don't show compassion all I see is a killer,
It's written all over your face
The song Step Aside by Clawfinger is a criticism of those in positions of authority who abuse their power and think they are above reproach. The opening lines question the legitimacy of those who believe they are the heroes and judges of society, and their right to decide on matters that concern the whole world. The song argues that no one is immune to sin and that accidents are bound to happen, but some refuse to acknowledge their mistakes and ask themselves why. Instead, they prefer to attack their enemies without any proof and believe the world revolves around them, which is far from the truth.
The chorus urges those in power to step down from their throne before their arrogance blows up in their face. The song says that no man is an island, and everyone gets what they give, so those who breed violence should expect a payback in return. The song accuses those in power of always complaining about their problems and making themselves out to be the victim, even though they are the ones who caused pain to others. The song concludes by stating that those in power must show compassion and not act like killers, as this is evident on their face.
Line by Line Meaning
Who made you the hero, who made you the judge,
Questioning the authority that made the person in question a self-proclaimed savior or decision-maker
Who gave you the right decide
Questioning the legitimacy of the person's judgment and decision-making authority
What makes you think that you can't do wrong,
Asking the person what gives them the impression that they are infallible and incapable of making mistakes
Why should the whole world step aside
Challenging the person's expectation that everyone should conform to their views and beliefs
You can't come and tell me that you're free from sin
Rejecting the person's claim that they are blameless and without fault
'cause' that would be telling a lie
Emphasizing the falsity of the person's claim that they are free of sin
It's not without reason that accidents happen
Suggesting that the person's actions have consequences and accidents do not happen without a cause
But still you don't ask yourself why
Calling out the person's lack of self-reflection and introspection
It takes a hijacking then you go attacking your enemies without any proof
Calling out the person's tendency to blame and attack others without any evidence or proof
'cause' you like to think the world spins around you
Highlighting the person's narcissistic worldview where they believe that everything revolves around them
But that's just so far from the truth
Rejecting the person's self-centered perspective and highlighting its inaccuracy
step down from your throne,
Challenging the person to abandon their delusions of power and authority
It's time you woke up before it blows up in your face
Warning the person that their actions will have dire consequences if left unchecked
No man is an island,
Highlighting the interconnectedness of individuals and the need for collaboration and cooperation
So stop breeding violence it's neither the time or the place
Pointing out the person's tendency to incite violence in situations where it is neither necessary nor warranted
Just face up to the fact that you get what you give
Reminding the person that they will reap what they sow and that their actions have consequences
So expect a payback in return
Forewarning the person that their negative actions will have repercussions
No one wants to listen to all your complaining
Pointing out that the person's incessant complaining is grating and unwelcome
Your problems are not our concern
Rejecting the person's expectation that others should take responsibility for their problems
Your history haunts you like a knife in the back,
Highlighting the negative consequences of the person's past actions and decisions
Your dreams have all crumbled to dust
Pointing out the person's lack of success and achievement in their personal goals and aspirations
According to you you're a god fearing man
Questioning the person's self-proclaimed religious piety
But who's version of god should I trust
Highlighting the diversity of religious beliefs and questioning the validity of the person's claims in comparison to others
Everyone is hurting
Recognizing the universal nature of pain and suffering
So don't make it seem as if the only one bleeding is you
Rejecting the person's victim mentality and highlighting that others also experience pain and suffering
'cause' you got off easy in comparisation to the pain that you've put others through
Pointing out the person's lack of empathy and self-awareness in regards to the pain they have caused others
But still you paint up a picture as if you're the victim of some kind of terrible plot
Highlighting the person's victim mentality and tendency to see themselves as the subject of a conspiracy
But that isn't true because everyone knows
Rejecting the person's unfounded claims and emphasizing that the truth is widely known
That you fired the first lethal shot
Accusing the person of being the instigator of violence and harm
And still you have the guts to claim to the world
Highlighting the person's arrogance and lack of accountability
That you're a peace loving country and race
Questioning the person's self-proclaimed peaceful and harmonious nature
But you don't show compassion all I see is a killer,
Rejecting the person's claims of peace and emphasizing the harm and violence they have caused
It's written all over your face
Highlighting the person's lack of remorse and their guilt being visibly apparent
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind