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
World Domination
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would appear in a place that was weird and absurd,
While my face is replaced with a picture of me,
Where you see all the faults of the fake imagery,
In the great industry I've been made by the trade
While I make my mistakes in this great masquerade
The parade is all phony and they're laughing at me,
When they see how I deal with my own misery
But I'll stay in my seat up until I'm defeated
The beat may be distant but I still hear the click
And I'll kick up a storm until I make myself sick
And when I loose the plot and they tighten the knot
Then I'll take what I can, when I can while I'm hot
I've figured out the plot, I'll give it what I've got
I'll give it my best shot, if you like it or not
I want just World domination
Give me world domination [2x]
It's been more than a year of ignoring my fear
'cause I've cleared out my thoughts until they disappeared
I still hear the signals and I see all the signs
They've all been assigned to the back of my mind
And I find that in time all my doubts are outshined
By a new kind of faith that I place in my shrine
I refuse to resign or give in to my wims
So I follow the line for as long as my limbs
Choose to carry my weight and my heart still pulsates
The stakes may be high but I can't hesitate
I'll do whatever it takes to break out of this mould
And to shake off the demons and whatever upholds
Me from being the best I can possibly be
The most meanest and leanest and dopest MC
I've figured out the plot, I'll give it what I've got
I'll give it my best shot, if you like it or not
I want just World domination
Give me world domination [2x]
You can all hate me but you can't duplicate me
'cause' I've been copywrited and no one can break me
I'll shake up your rumours with humour that's lethal
Til' you understand that you can't be my equal
'there won't be no sequel for as long as I'm standing
It's totally wrong it's a misunderstanding
Or a misunderstatment do you need a translation
Killing you with my mouth is my main occupation
I've figured out the plot, I'll give it what I've got
I'll give it my best shot, 'cause' I'm right on spot
I want just World domination
Give me world domination [2x]
Clawfinger's song "World Domination" talks about the fear of being heard, the pressure of conforming to the standards of the music industry and fighting against it to achieve their goals. The lyrics are an introspection of the artist and the dark side of the music industry. The song talks about how artists are forced to put on a facade and how the parade of the industry is all fake. The line "In the great industry I've been made by the trade, while I make my mistakes in this great masquerade" suggests the artist is aware of the hypocrisy in the industry and the constant pressure to conform.
Moreover, the song talks about how the artist is determined to break out of the mold, shake off the demons, and be the best he can be. The artist wants to achieve world domination through his music, and nothing can stop him from doing so. The line "You can all hate me, but you can't duplicate me" suggests the artist is confident in their abilities and cannot be replicated by anyone. The song's chorus emphasizes the artist's desire for world domination and how they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been scared to be heard and I've feared that my words
I'm afraid of being misunderstood and judged for my thoughts
Would appear in a place that was weird and absurd,
I worry that my ideas won't fit into conventional norms
While my face is replaced with a picture of me,
I'm forced to conform to the image that society expects of me
Where you see all the faults of the fake imagery,
People only see the flaws of the persona I'm expected to portray
In the great industry I've been made by the trade
The music industry has created and molded me to fit their market
While I make my mistakes in this great masquerade
I'm still figuring things out while pretending to have it all together
The parade is all phony and they're laughing at me,
The entertainment world is fake and people are laughing at my attempts to make it
When they see how I deal with my own misery
People are entertained by my struggles and pain
History is repeated and my brain is deleted
The same patterns and mistakes are being repeated in my life
But I'll stay in my seat up until I'm defeated
I won't give up until I'm forced to
The beat may be distant but I still hear the click
The rhythm and drive to succeed is still there, even if obscured
And I'll kick up a storm until I make myself sick
I'll work tirelessly until I exhaust myself
And when I loose the plot and they tighten the knot
When I lose my focus and things get harder, I won't back down
Then I'll take what I can, when I can while I'm hot
I'll seize any opportunity that comes my way while I still have momentum
I've figured out the plot, I'll give it what I've got
I've figured out how the entertainment industry works and will give it everything I have
I'll give it my best shot, if you like it or not
I'll do the best I can, regardless of whether people appreciate it or not
I want just World domination
I want to be the most successful and influential artist in the world
Give me world domination [2x]
I will work tirelessly to achieve my goal of being on top
It's been more than a year of ignoring my fear
I've overcome my fears and insecurities over the past year
'cause I've cleared out my thoughts until they disappeared
By focusing on my goals, I've pushed aside any self-doubt or negative thoughts
I still hear the signals and I see all the signs
I'm still aware of the challenges and obstacles I'll face along the way
They've all been assigned to the back of my mind
I won't let fear and doubt take over my thoughts and actions
And I find that in time all my doubts are outshined
With hard work and persistence, confidence will eventually overcome self-doubt
By a new kind of faith that I place in my shrine
I have a new belief in myself and my abilities
I refuse to resign or give in to my wims
I won't give up or let my emotions control my actions
So I follow the line for as long as my limbs
I will keep working and striving until I physically can't anymore
Choose to carry my weight and my heart still pulsates
I will take responsibility for my own success and won't let failure weigh me down
The stakes may be high but I can't hesitate
I have to act decisively, even when the risks are high
I'll do whatever it takes to break out of this mould
I won't conform to society's expectations and will do whatever it takes to stand out
And to shake off the demons and whatever upholds
I won't let my past or external factors hold me back
Me from being the best I can possibly be
I will strive to become the best version of myself
The most meanest and leanest and dopest MC
I will become the most skilled and impressive rapper
You can all hate me but you can't duplicate me
People might not like me, but they can't replicate my talent
'cause I've been copywrited and no one can break me
I'm unique and protected under the law
I'll shake up your rumours with humour that's lethal
I'll use humor to dispel any lies or rumors about me
Til' you understand that you can't be my equal
I'm too talented and successful for people to compete with me
'there won't be no sequel for as long as I'm standing
I won't let anyone take my place or continue my legacy while I'm still alive
It's totally wrong it's a misunderstanding
People misunderstand me and my intentions
Or a misunderstatment do you need a translation
People misinterpret my words and actions
Killing you with my mouth is my main occupation
My talent as a rapper is what sets me apart and makes me successful
I've figured out the plot, I'll give it what I've got
I understand how the industry works and will use my skills to succeed
I'll give it my best shot, 'cause' I'm right on spot
I'm prepared and in the right place to take on the industry and become successful
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind