Motörhead released 23 studio albums, 10 live recordings, 12 compilation albums and five EPs over a career spanning 40 years. Usually a power trio, they had particular success in the early 1980s with several successful singles in the UK Top 40 chart. The albums Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades and, particularly, the live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith cemented Motörhead's reputation as a top-tier rock band. The band are ranked number 26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. As of 2016, they have sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.
Most often classified as heavy metal, Motörhead has been credited with being part of and influencing numerous musical scenes, thrash metal and speed metal especially. Lemmy, however, always insisted that they were a rock and roll band. He said that they had more in common with punk bands, but with their own unique sound, Motörhead is embraced in both punk and metal scenes. Their lyrics typically covered such topics as war, good versus evil, abuse of power, promiscuous sex, substance abuse and, most famously, gambling, the latter theme being the focus of their hit song "Ace of Spades".
Lemmy died on 28 December 2015 from cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The day after his death, drummer Mikkey Dee and guitarist Phil Campbell both confirmed that Motörhead had disbanded. By 2018, all three members of Motörhead's best-known line-up (Lemmy, Taylor and Clarke) had died.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motörhead
Discography
Motörhead (1977)
Overkill (1979)
Bomber (1979)
On Parole (1979)
Ace of Spades (1980)
Iron Fist (1982)
Another Perfect Day (1983)
Orgasmatron (1986)
Rock 'n' Roll (1987)
1916 (1991)
March ör Die (1992)
Bastards (1993)
Sacrifice (1995)
Overnight Sensation (1996)
Snake Bite Love (1998)
We Are Motörhead (2000)
Hammered (2002)
Inferno (2004)
Kiss of Death (2006)
Motörizer (2008)
The Wörld Is Yours (2010)
Aftershock (2013)
Bad Magic (2015)
Limb From Limb
Motörhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's ever gonna shame my life
Well, I've never done nothing
That's ever gonna shame my life
Come around any time you like, honey
There ain't no shame in my bed at night
Long-legged lover
Long-legged lover
I'm gonna tear you limb From limb
Get you smashed as a rat in some bar
Sink my claws into your velvet skin
Oh!
Harsh, cruel words, babe
They're gonna cut me like a knife
Harsh, cruel words, babe
They're gonna cut me like a knife
I don't care what the hell you call me
But are ya still coming round tonight?
That's what I wanna know, hey!
I've never done nothing
That's ever gonna shame my life, my life, my life, my life
I've never done nothing
That's ever gonna shame my life, my life, my life, my life
Come around any time you like, honey
There ain't no shame in my bed at night, oh yeah, yeah, yeah
The lyrics of Motörhead's "Limb From Limb" evoke a sense of violent passion and desire. The singer starts by stating that they have never done anything that would bring shame to their life, suggesting a level of confidence that implies they are at ease with their own actions. They go on to address a "long-legged lover," who they plan on ripping limb from limb and tearing into until they feel the sensation of their claws piercing their flesh. The singer is consumed with desire and alludes to the idea of being able to satisfy their desire without shame by inviting their lover to their bed anytime.
The violent imagery is further emphasized in the chorus, with the repetition of the threat to "tear (the lover) limb from limb." The singer's desire is so intense that they are willing to descend into cruelty to get what they want. However, the singer also recognizes the power that words hold and acknowledges that the harsh, cruel words that may come from their lover will also be able to harm them in their vulnerability. Despite this, the singer still persists, and they do not even care what the person may call them as long as they come around to see them.
Overall, the song conveys a certain reckless abandon concerning desire, as the singer seems to be willing to do whatever it takes to satisfy their lust, even if it involves violence. This song is a raw and intense expression of masculine desire, and the incorporation of vicious language elevates it into a lyrical masterpiece.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've never done nothing
I've always acted with dignity and respect
That's ever gonna shame my life
I've never done anything I regret
Come around any time you like, honey
Feel free to visit me anytime, dear
There ain't no shame in my bed at night
I have nothing to hide and am proud of my actions in bed
Long-legged lover
Attractive partner with long legs
I'm gonna rip you limb From limb
I will passionately and forcefully love you
Get you smashed as a rat in some bar
I'll get you drunk and have a wild time
Sink my claws into your velvet skin
I'll hold you tightly and lovingly
Harsh, cruel words, babe
Insensitive and hurtful words, dear
They're gonna cut me like a knife
Those words will hurt me deeply
I don't care what the hell you call me
I don't care what you label me as
But are ya still coming round tonight?
Will you still visit me today?
That's what I wanna know, hey!
That's what I'm interested in learning
I've never done nothing
I have always been dignified
That's ever gonna shame my life, my life, my life, my life
Nothing I've done will make me ashamed for life
Come around any time you like, honey
Please feel free to visit me anytime, dear
There ain't no shame in my bed at night, oh yeah, yeah, yeah
I am comfortable and confident in bed with myself and others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EDWARD ALAN CLARKE, IAN FRASER KILMINSTER, PHILIP JOHN TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind