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 BÃ¥rd Torstensen and Erlend Ottem who were also working at the same hospital. Soon the four realized their similar interests in music. BÃ¥rd 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
Waste My Time
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's been hundreds of years of diabolical dung
So much prejudice piss has been trickling down
And I can smell the shit coming from miles around
You're so full of shit you're out of your mind
What the fuck is wrong don't waste my time
Waste my time
I'm not white I'm pink but the colour of my face
Represents a fucking farce called the superior race
White power bullshit I'll wipe my pink fucking ass
With your swastika flag cos it belongs in the past
You want me to believe that dark skin is a sin
Well wake up it's 95 where the fuck have you been
What are you trying to achieve with your racist crap
That shit's coming out the crack from the bottom of your back
You're so full of shit you're out of your mind
What the fuck is wrong don't waste my time
Waste my time
You are making me sick with your pathetic tricks
You try to tell me different colours don't mix
You tell us so many lies that you believe them yourself
You spend your whole life blaming everyone else
You're so full of shit you're out of your mind
What the fuck is wrong don't waste my time
Waste my time
The lyrics of Clawfinger's song "Waste My Time" are a strong critique of racism and prejudice. The singer starts by highlighting the history of discrimination and prejudice that has come from "the white man's mouth and the white man's tongue," emphasizing that this has been going on for hundreds of years. He then goes on to liken this to the smell of "prejudice piss" and accuses the racists of being "full of shit" and "out of [their] mind," emphasizing the pointlessness of their beliefs and actions.
Moving on from this, the singer disputes the idea of superiority based on skin color, calling out the "white power bullshit" that has been used to prop up racist ideologies throughout history. He also mocks the idea of dark skin being a sin and implies that this type of thinking is outdated and out of touch.
The overall tone of the song is defiant, challenging the racists to justify their beliefs while making it clear that their arguments are weak and unpersuasive. The repeated refrain of "don't waste my time" serves as a forceful rejection of any attempts to justify racism or discrimination.
Overall, "Waste My Time" is a powerful song that stands as a testament to the importance of inclusivity and equality, and a call to reject harmful beliefs and actions.
Line by Line Meaning
From the white mans mouth and the white mans tongue
For centuries, the white race has spread vile and harmful beliefs.
There's been hundreds of years of diabolical dung
These beliefs are deeply ingrained and have been around for centuries.
So much prejudice piss has been trickling down
Prejudiced ideologies have been passed down through generations.
And I can smell the shit coming from miles around
It's easy to recognize the foul beliefs of white supremacists from far away.
You're so full of shit you're out of your mind
White supremacists are so entrenched in their hateful beliefs that they've lost touch with reality.
What the fuck is wrong don't waste my time
There's no point in engaging with someone who is so deeply prejudiced and ignorant.
I'm not white I'm pink but the colour of my face
Although the singer's skin may appear white, they reject the idea of white superiority.
Represents a fucking farce called the superior race
The concept of a white superior race is a ridiculous and harmful falsehood.
White power bullshit I'll wipe my pink fucking ass
The singer rejects the idea of white power and everything it stands for.
With your swastika flag cos it belongs in the past
The swastika is a symbol of a shameful time in history and has no place in modern society.
You want me to believe that dark skin is a sin
White supremacists believe in the ridiculous notion that dark skin is inferior or sinful.
Well wake up it's 95 where the fuck have you been
It's time for white supremacists to wake up and realize that their beliefs are outdated and harmful.
What are you trying to achieve with your racist crap
There's no good reason to hold onto racist beliefs.
That shit's coming out the crack from the bottom of your back
Racist beliefs are irrational and unfounded, and come from a place of ignorance and fear.
You are making me sick with your pathetic tricks
White supremacists' manipulation tactics are transparent and pathetic.
You try to tell me different colours don't mix
White supremacists believe that different races should not intermingle, which is a ridiculous notion.
You tell us so many lies that you believe them yourself
White supremacists have convinced themselves that their harmful beliefs are true.
You spend your whole life blaming everyone else
White supremacists scapegoat other races instead of confronting their own ignorance and hate.
Waste my time
There's no point in engaging with someone who is so entrenched in their harmful beliefs.
Contributed by Jasmine O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sir Davan Deep Starwalker
Ahh the hunt looking for this cd. Finally found it.
Tim Turbo
😮