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 Can We Go From Here
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New times call for new measures
New dreams come with new let downs
Lost games come with new rebounds
New love comes with new losses
New faith comes with new crosses
New cash comes with new winnings
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
New signs come with new warnings
New walls come with new morning
New laws come with new leaders
New lies come with new decievers
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
Where do we go from here (4x)
It's a part of the game part of the gamble
We go we left this handles
Screw you're hand with you're lucky strokes
And the loosing street coming up with stakes
Can you reach the P
Speak you're mouth co's we are sure what everybodys gonna do
What a dirty work for you
The winning to winning or you choose to loose
When you wanna be just a days news
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
Where can we go from here?
Where the fuck can we go from here?
The lyrics of Clawfinger's song "Where Can We Go From Here" reflect the idea that as we move forward, we will continue to face new challenges and obstacles in life. The first verse highlights how new circumstances yield both positives and negatives, such as new treasures and new letdowns, and requires us to adapt with new measures. The second verse discusses how newer experiences such as new love, new faith, and new beginnings are accompanied by potential losses and crosses to bear.
The chorus of the song ("Where can we go from here? Where the f*** can we go from here?") is a call to action, questioning what comes next and where we can possibly go from here amidst an ever-changing world. The bridge of the song is a reflection on the gambling-like nature of life where there are highs and lows, and one must choose to either win or lose. This ultimately leads back to the chorus, further highlighting the uncertainty of the world and confusion surrounding what steps to take next.
Line by Line Meaning
New crimes come with new treasures
It seems that people are constantly devising new ways to do wrong, and yet they keep finding benefits to reap.
New times call for new measures
As time goes on, the ways in which we must adapt and cope change, necessitating new and innovative solutions.
New dreams come with new let downs
It’s easy to get excited about new possibilities and paths to take, but there are always setbacks and disappointment along the way.
Lost games come with new rebounds
When you experience a loss or hit a roadblock, it’s important to pick yourself up and try again - sometimes, the second attempt can be even more successful.
New love comes with new losses
Falling in love brings its own unique kind of joy, but it also can bring pain and heartbreak as well.
New faith comes with new crosses
Even when you have faith in something or someone, there will always be difficulties and hardships to face and overcome.
New cash comes with new winnings
As you accumulate more wealth or financial success, there are always new opportunities to win or earn more.
New life comes with new beginnings
With each new chapter in life, there are new opportunities to start fresh and reinvent ourselves.
Where can we go from here?
With all of these changes and challenges in life, it can be difficult to know what direction to take next.
Where the fuck can we go from here?
This line expresses a more aggressive and frustrated version of the question - feeling lost or uncertain can lead to anger and desperation.
New signs come with new warnings
As we encounter new situations and circumstances, there are almost always red flags and signals to watch out for.
New walls come with new morning
Even as new opportunities arise, there may also be new obstacles or barriers to deal with and overcome.
New laws come with new leaders
As our political and societal landscapes shift, new rules and regulations are put in place by those in power.
New lies come with new deceivers
Unfortunately, there will always be those who seek to manipulate or mislead others, and new ones are always popping up.
Where do we go from here (4x)
This repeated question highlights the persistent feeling of uncertainty and confusion that can plague us when faced with new challenges and changes in life.
It's a part of the game part of the gamble
Life, much like a game, involves taking risks and experiencing both wins and losses.
We go we left this handles
We often find ourselves in situations that are beyond our control or outside of our comfort zones.
Screw you're hand with you're lucky strokes
Taking risks and relying on luck is sometimes necessary, but it can also be stressful and unpredictable.
And the loosing street coming up with stakes
When you're on a losing streak, there's often added pressure or higher stakes to try and turn things around.
Can you reach the P
This line likely refers to reaching a pinnacle or achieving a goal - questioning whether you're capable of getting there.
Speak you're mouth co's we are sure what everybodys gonna do
When faced with difficult decisions, it can be helpful to express your thoughts and opinions and seek out advice from others - but ultimately, the outcome is uncertain.
What a dirty work for you
Navigating the ups and downs of life can be difficult and exhausting.
The winning to winning or you choose to loose
You can either keep pursuing success and taking risks, or you can give up and accept failure.
When you wanna be just a days news
If you don't want to fade into obscurity or be forgotten quickly, you must keep pushing yourself and trying new things.
Contributed by Micah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.