Somewhere around 2010, the London-based skiffle band The Severed Limb took its name from one of its best, and most unusual compositions. “The Severed Limb” is set to a bare bones rockabilly arrangement and spins a tale that starts out scary, but turns out pretty funny. A guy hears a knock on his front door at 4:00 am and finds nothing more than “an arm and a hand all pale and thin” waiting to greet him. “It didn’t have a brain and it didn’t have a bum/Just a tattoo on the arm that said I love Mom.”
After letting itself in, the appendage decides to stay, and the guy learns to enjoy its company. The only drawback is the occasional obscene gesture the severed limb makes while playing poker or gin. “It makes the finger when it loses and makes a fist when it wins.” Listening to the homespun instrumentation and goofy backup vocals, it’s easy to picture The Severed Limb performing this song on a front porch while waiting for trick or treaters.
“The Severed Limb” is one of 14 tracks on a compilation titled Kill You And Bill You For The Price Of The Bullet the band released in 2013. Other fun songs on the album include “Woo Eee Ha Ha!,” “Washing Machine Bop,” “Welcome To The Boneyard,” and “Are You Loathsome Tonight?”
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