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
Where Are You Now
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and you use all the tricks of the trade
From the tip of your toes to the tip of your tongue
you've carefully planned your crusade
It's all surface no substance, all payed in advance
but you're the one paying the price
and the only thing left will be a hole in your pocket
when everyone else gets their slice/has been given their slice
where are you now, what have you done
what have you got left, what have you become
you had the world in your hands but it slipped through
your fingers and now look at what you've become
The masterplan wasn't yours you were just the excuse
To squeeze out some juice from the fruit
and nobody cares about your personal life
all you are is the latest recruit
the sweet smell of success has a foul aftertaste
and when you've lost your place in the sun
what you won't do for you love you just do for money
so you'd best take the money you can and then run
where are you now, what have you done
you had the world in your hands but it slipped through
your fingers and now look at what you've become
where are you now, what have you done
what have you got left, what have you become
there are no rules in the book that apply to the game
the truth comes like a slap in the face
And the next runner up gets a moment to shine
in the spotlight once you've lost your place
keep on wearing that suit for as long as it fits
and pretend that it's not wearing you
and while your busy being somebody you're not
you're much better off not even having a clue
The lyrics of Clawfinger's song 'Where Are You Now' speak about a person who has done everything right. They have used all the tricks in the trade to carefully plan their every move, yet they have done it all for the wrong reasons. The person is all surface, no substance, and has paid in advance for their false success, which has only led to a hole in their pocket when others have already been given their slice. The lyrics question what this person has done and what they have become, as the world had once been in their hands but slipped through their fingers, leaving them with nothing of value.
The song speaks about how the master plan wasn't even theirs, and they were only the excuse to squeeze out some juice from the fruit. No one cares about their personal life, and they are only the latest recruit in the pursuit of success. The sweet smell of success has a foul aftertaste, and once they've lost their place in the sun, they will do anything and everything, not for love but just for money. Therefore, the lyrics suggest that they should take as much money as they can and run while they still can.
In the end, the lyrics note that there are no rules in the game and that truth comes as a slap in the face. The next runner-up gets a moment to shine once the person loses their place. In the end, the person keeps on wearing the suit for as long as it fits and pretends like it's not wearing them. But the truth is that they are busy being somebody they are not and are much better off not even having a clue. Ultimately, the lyrics suggest that the person has lost their identity and become someone they never wanted to be.
Line by Line Meaning
you do everything right for all the wrong reasons
You go through the motions of success, but your true motivation is misguided.
and you use all the tricks of the trade
You rely on superficial tactics to get ahead.
From the tip of your toes to the tip of your tongue
Every aspect of your public persona is calculated and controlled.
you've carefully planned your crusade
You have a strategic plan for achieving your goals.
It's all surface no substance, all payed in advance
Your success is empty and pre-ordained, purchased rather than earned.
but you're the one paying the price
You bear the ultimate cost of your own deceit and greed.
and the only thing left will be a hole in your pocket
All of your financial gains will ultimately be squandered.
when everyone else gets their slice/has been given their slice
Your success is built on the exploitation of others.
where are you now, what have you done
You have lost your status and relevance, and your legacy is dubious.
what have you got left, what have you become
Your prosperity and character have both been hollowed out.
you had the world in your hands but it slipped through
You were once in a position of power, but you lost everything through your own actions.
your fingers and now look at what you've become
Your legacy is pitiful, and your life's work is tainted by your selfishness.
The masterplan wasn't yours you were just the excuse
You were a pawn in someone else's scheme.
To squeeze out some juice from the fruit
You were used as a means of extracting value from your industry.
and nobody cares about your personal life
Your personal life is irrelevant to your public persona.
all you are is the latest recruit
You are a disposable cog in the machine of celebrity and success.
the sweet smell of success has a foul aftertaste
The benefits of your success are tainted by the unethical means used to attain them.
and when you've lost your place in the sun
Your fleeting moment of success will eventually come to an end.
what you won't do for you love you just do for money
Your true passions have been replaced by your desire for financial gain.
so you'd best take the money you can and then run
You should cash out your success before it evaporates, and move on before you are exposed for what you truly are.
there are no rules in the book that apply to the game
Success is not governed by a set of ethical or moral guidelines.
the truth comes like a slap in the face
The reality of your situation will eventually hit you hard.
And the next runner up gets a moment to shine
Your once covetable position will be filled by a new up-and-comer.
in the spotlight once you've lost your place
Your fall from grace will be public and humiliating.
keep on wearing that suit for as long as it fits
Continue using your current tactics as long as they yield success.
and pretend that it's not wearing you
Disassociate yourself from the unethical nature of your actions.
and while your busy being somebody you're not
Your public persona is a façade that does not reflect your true self.
you're much better off not even having a clue
You are better off turning a blind eye to the unethical nature of your actions.
Contributed by Alexander A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.