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
truth
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've seen it all before you disagree
the way you always attack all the things that you say
the way your turn your back and then you walk away
shut your mouth and open up your eyes
you better take your time and try to realize
that no one's free from sin and when I look at you
I scream within WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU
you're no better than your enemy
but it's easy to hate what you just can't be
don't deny the fact that you're a mortal man
you can't escape from death when it's close at hand
don't sit upon a pedestal and raise your voice
if you're to deaf to listen to the peoples
choice
truth tell me the truh the truth motherfucker
tell me the truth tell me the truth tell me the truth
the truth you sucker
you play us out and you take us all for fools
but I never understood who even made the rules
I'll make my stand against supermacy
'cause hypocritical goverments threaten me
I know you ain't blind and I know you're aware
but your ego's to big for you to even care
the doors are wide open but your eyes are closed
you're unable to look any further than your nose
you open your mouth and all I hear is lies
you keep spreading your message that I despite
because the game you're playing is so easy to see
it's just another repeat of our history
you talk about peace it's a very strong word
it's always being said but it's never been heard
hi-tec weapons are here to reasure it
but I've never seen a time when they've done a shit for it
Truth.....
kick it to me now 'cause I just can't figure
take a small mistake and make a small one bigger
equality's a word have you ever even heard it
I guess not and you don't deserve it
turning your backs on the problems that surface
I get a feeling that you're doing it on purpose
your mide is SLIME so please resign
you can't control your own life don't try to tule mine
Truth.....
Clawfinger's song The Truth is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the dangers of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. The lyrics encourage the listener to speak the truth and not to lie, attacking those who claim to be superior to others and who look down on society's misery. The chorus passionately demands to hear the truth from these "motherfuckers" who play people out and take them all for fools. The lyrics tell us that the game of power and control is easy to see, and that it repeats the mistakes of history.
The song also attacks those who deny their mortality and place themselves on a pedestal, raising their voice without listening to the people's choice. The lyrics tell us that we are all mortal and that none of us are free from sin. We are all equal, and we should strive towards equality and work together to solve society's problems. The song encourages listeners to take a stand against hypocrisy and the abuse of power, to speak out and demand the truth.
Overall, The Truth is an insightful and hard-hitting song that challenges the listener to think critically about the world around them and to speak out against injustice and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
speak the truth don't you dare lie to me
Tell me the truth, don't even think about lying to me.
I've seen it all before you disagree
I've heard all your arguments before, but I don't agree with them.
the way you always attack all the things that you say
You criticize and contradict yourself with everything you say.
the way your turn your back and then you walk away
You evade the issues and leave without addressing them.
shut your mouth and open up your eyes
Stop talking and start observing and understanding.
you better take your time and try to realize
You should slow down and make an effort to understand.
that no one's free from sin and when I look at you
Everyone has faults, and when I see you, it makes me scream inside.
I scream within WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU
I can't help but wonder what's wrong with you.
you raise yourself up to a higher degree and look down in disgust at our misery
You put yourself on a pedestal and judge others with disgust, even though they're suffering.
you're no better than your enemy
You're not superior to the people you oppose.
but it's easy to hate what you just can't be
It's easy to hate what you can't be or achieve yourself.
don't deny the fact that you're a mortal man
Don't forget that you're a human being and subject to faults and limitations.
you can't escape from death when it's close at hand
Death is unavoidable when your time comes.
don't sit upon a pedestal and raise your voice
Don't put yourself on a higher level and speak without listening.
if you're to deaf to listen to the peoples choice
If you're too stubborn to hear what the people want.
truth tell me the truh the truth motherfucker
I demand the truth from you, no matter how harsh it is.
tell me the truth tell me the truth tell me the truth
Reinforcing that the truth is what's needed.
the truth you sucker
You're a sucker if you don't tell the truth.
you play us out and you take us all for fools
You deceive us and treat us like idiots.
but I never understood who even made the rules
I don't comprehend who sets the standards and regulations.
I'll make my stand against supermacy
I'll oppose domination and control over others.
'cause hypocritical goverments threaten me
Because governments that act insincerely put me in danger.
I know you ain't blind and I know you're aware
I believe you're not ignorant and realize what's happening.
but your ego's to big for you to even care
However, your ego is too enormous to care about the issues at hand.
the doors are wide open but your eyes are closed
Opportunities are available, but you're ignoring them.
you're unable to look any further than your nose
You can't see past yourself and your interests.
you open your mouth and all I hear is lies
You speak, but all I hear are falsehoods.
you keep spreading your message that I despite
You continue to promote ideas I despise.
because the game you're playing is so easy to see
Because your tactics are transparent and obvious.
it's just another repeat of our history
It's a repetition of past mistakes and conflicts.
you talk about peace it's a very strong word
You talk of peace, which is a powerful idea.
it's always being said but it's never been heard
It's a phrase that's commonly used, but not practiced.
hi-tec weapons are here to reasure it
Weapons that use advanced technology exist to ensure it.
but I've never seen a time when they've done a shit for it
But I've never seen them actually achieve peace.
kick it to me now 'cause I just can't figure
Explain it to me now because I can't understand.
take a small mistake and make a small one bigger
You take a minor error and blow it out of proportion.
equality's a word have you ever even heard it
Have you even heard the term called equality?
I guess not and you don't deserve it
I suppose you haven't, and you don't deserve the concept.
turning your backs on the problems that surface
Ignoring the issues that arise and avoiding them.
I get a feeling that you're doing it on purpose
I sense that you're doing it intentionally.
your mide is SLIME so please resign
Your mindset is corrupt, so please step down.
you can't control your own life don't try to tule mine
You can barely handle your own affairs, so don't try to govern mine.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ironprophet2683
So underrated. These guys were pioneers. Entirely ahead of the curve. It's such a shame they never got the recognition they deserve.
@discostoo
This song is almost 30 years old, still hits as hard as ever.
@ursulaschlapbach311
Oh yes!
@Knochenbrigade
It's unbelievable how quick 26 years passed.
@javivilla7901
yeah, i saw this vid when MTV in Mexico shows a segment call "Headbangers Ball " great song from that period
@wetal1961
21 in my case
@youdie93
Remember sitting in my dads car as a kid listening to clawfinger and loving it
@anderschristensen4072
yes,im 42. now. but in my head im 25 still ha ha
@earlhickory9175
the years may have passed....... but my respect for this band will not!
@focoff
One of the first underrated rap metal acts. Respect