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
What We've Got Is What You're Getting
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We sign the line and break the deal
We take it all and give it back
We talk of peace and then attack
Start a war and then retreat
Win the game and then get beat
Break on out and then get stuck
We keep on fucking it all up
Like it, hate it, leave it, take it x4
What we've got is what you're getting
We break it down and build it up
We pick a fight and then make up
We step aside and block the way
Buy you out and make you pay
We love you and we break your heart
Fix it and pull it apart
Speed it up and slow it down
We're just a binch of fucking clowns
Chorus
We make a hit and then we run
We shake your hand and pull a gun
We break the charts and then break up
We spill it out and fill the cup
We close the door and let you in
We're guilty and we're free from sin
We're in the game but out of luck
But we don't really give a fuck
Chorus
Clawfinger's song "What We've Got Is What You're Getting" highlights how society manipulates and deceives people to achieve their own self-interest. The first verse, for instance, talks about how people pretend to promote peace but then initiate wars. They break agreements and perplex relationships, which eventually lead to a lack of trust. Humanity is hypocritical and unpredictable. They promise to do one thing but do the exact opposite.
The second verse carries on the theme by emphasizing how people have a tendency to control other people's lives, even if it's not in their best interest. People change their minds often, demanding one thing today and altogether another tomorrow. They play with each other's emotions and mess with their hearts. People are quick to sell out their integrity, values, and beliefs for the sake of financial gain or personal benefit. The third line: "We're just a bunch of fucking clowns" is an accurate representation of how disillusioned society is.
The chorus is a reminder that what people see is what they get. Society is not perfect, and everyone has their flaws; yet, people should accept that what is happening and not expect certain outcomes. Clawfinger is honest – the song expresses the mistakes we make as individuals and as a society. Wishing for a perfect world that doesn't exist is not honest but realistic. People need to acknowledge inaccuracies and learn to live with them to pick themselves up and learn from them.
Line by Line Meaning
We fake it all & make it real
We pretend and lie, but somehow it becomes true
We sign the line and break the deal
We enter an agreement but may not keep it
We take it all and give it back
We take control and then relinquish it
We talk of peace and then attack
We promote peace but may initiate conflict
Start a war and then retreat
We trigger a fight but then withdraw
Win the game and then get beat
We achieve success but subsequently fail
Break on out and then get stuck
We make attempts to escape, but get trapped
We keep on fucking it all up
We continuously ruin everything
Like it, hate it, leave it, take it x4
Regardless of your opinion, this is what we've got to offer
We break it down and build it up
We deconstruct and reconstruct
We pick a fight and then make up
We instigate conflict and then resolve it
We step aside and block the way
We allow you to pass but may impede your progress
Buy you out and make you pay
We may acquire you or your assets, then demand compensation
We love you and we break your heart
We express affection but may hurt you
Fix it and pull it apart
We attempt to repair something only to damage it further
Speed it up and slow it down
We increase and decrease the pace
We're just a bunch of fucking clowns
We are ridiculous and foolish beings
Chorus
This is the refrain that repeats throughout
We make a hit and then we run
We achieve success and then leave
We shake your hand and pull a gun
We greet you in friendship, then turn hostile
We break the charts and then break up
We record a hit and then disband
We spill it out and fill the cup
We disclose secrets and then conceal them again
We close the door and let you in
We bar the entrance, then grant you access
We're guilty and we're free from sin
We are responsible for our actions but unrepentant
We're in the game but out of luck
We participate but lack good fortune
But we don't really give a fuck
We don't care what you think
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.