Use My Third Arm

Album: Far Beyond Driven (1994)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Frontman Philip Anselmo told Artist Direct how the song came together. "I know the middle breakdown part was Rex Brown's riff," he said. "It was part of a song called 'Piss' at one time. I did always like that riff because it had a certain Black Sabbath flavor to it."

    "There were instances where Vinnie Paul would come up with drum patterns and we would all fall in accordingly," Anselmo continued. "'Use My Third Arm' sort of reminds me of how a song like 'Primal Concrete Sledge' started out. Here's Vince playing this massive percussive part. Dimebag Darrell is looking at me, and I'm looking at him like, 'F--k man, let's do something. This thing kicks ass. Where's the riff?' [Laughs] Dimebag and Rex would fall in accordingly. We'd get to start shaping the song up and putting into a structure that made sense and was best for the song."

Comments: 2

  • Necro from Hampshire, New EnglandPoopybutt has a point. However, applying the song specifically to Donald Trump or John Mayer would equally pair up well. Both are arrogant, misogynistic pissheads who use their supposed talents to belittle those who'd criticize them, and probably have secretly abused many women too. Though it's about authority in particular, this song could actually be quite empowering towards women, encouraging them to "kill that f--k and stab his ass" as "a reminder what the f--k we live for...our f--king selves!".
  • Poopybutt from Chicago IllinoisGnarly tune with violent, open-ended lyrics. It is quite possible to interpret this song as raging against intellectual figureheads that use their intelligence as a way to justify sexually abusing someone, hence the line "his brain his badge, his dick his gun", which implies that the target of this song uses his intellect like a symbol of authority to lord over everybody (especially women), and his penis to use against those whom he thinks are threatening his vile mindset and security. I don't think it's about law enforcement per se, but the song does allude several times to abuse of authority. This song is a cry against every single vile man who abuses his authority in any way possible, and obviously Phil Anselmo wants them all dead. And to think that Pantera was once cock rock, and this album went to No.1! Imagine if this song had been around in the period of the Sexual Revolution, whose idea of unlimited sex probably included rape! Those hippies would probably die, and Last Tango in Paris would never have been made because of this boss song. This filth is what the Baby Boomers did to Generation X, and bands like Metallica and Pantera fought back viciously. RIP Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Mike Love of The Beach Boys

Mike Love of The Beach BoysSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist of The Beach Boys talks about coming up with the words for "Good Vibrations," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Kokomo" and other classic songs.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.