Murder by Death released its first studio album (Like the Exorcist, but More Breakdancing) in 2002, and has since released seven more studio albums. The band's current lineup consists of two founding members, Adam Turla and Sarah Balliet. Balliet plays cello for the band, an instrument that has been present consistently throughout the band's evolution. Murder by Death's 2012 album Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon reached #76 on the Billboard 200, making it the band's most successful release.
Murder by Death was formed in 2000 in Bloomington, Indiana, by guitarist Adam Turla, cellist Sarah Balliet, percussionist Alexander Schrodt, keyboardist Vincent Edwards, and bassist Matt Armstrong. One of the group's first shows was at the Channing-Murray Foundation's cafe The Red Herring in Urbana, Illinois, with former American Football drummer Steve Lamos' solo project DMS. After the show, the head of the TEAM AV record label with which Lamos was working offered to help Turla and his bandmates secure additional shows. Around the same time the band met Thursday vocalist, Geoff Rickly, when the two bands played on the same bill at a gig in their hometown of Bloomington. Rickly introduced the band, known at the time as Little Joe Gould, to his friend Alex Saavedra (owner of Eyeball Records), who also took an interest in the band. In 2001 the band self-released the eponymous Little Joe Gould EP and early the next year contributed the song "I'm Afraid of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" to the TEAM AV compilation Foreign Nationals. A short time later the group changed their name to Murder By Death, which they felt better represented their sound.
Murder by Death plays a range of music including instrumentals, rock and alt.country. The band uses cello (with an electric cello for live shows) to create a gothic sound with occasional Western references.
The band often arranges themes such as whiskey and the Devil into concept albums. For example, the band's second album, Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them?, describes a story in which the Devil wages war against a small village in Mexico.
You Don't Miss Twice
Murder By Death Lyrics
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A cigar box medkit, retractable spade
Flint and steel
Pine needle bed
There ain't nothig like the woods
To clear your head
I got a real nice piece
A good friend to have
When you're out on you're own
But you don't miss twice...
When you're shavin' with a knife
Coarse grain sandpaper on my face
Felt my neck and reached for my blade
Thought I'd try my hand at the barber's trade
When you've got a knife, you've got it made
Bathing in the river, it ain't half bad
Ya get a cool drink while you're takin' a bath
Stick your blade in the water and there's you lather, yeah
But you don't miss twice...
When you're shavin' with a knife
Stubble's comin' in strong
Scratch your soft skin raw
Like a mean mutt
With a razor maw
Swipe along my neck
And against my jaw, mmm hmm
Blood's just blood
No need to fuss
Or get your shorts in a bunch
And cuss and cuss
Still you don't miss twice...
When you're shavin' with a knife
But you don't miss twice...
When you're shavin'
When you're shavin'
When you're shavin' with a knife
The song "You Don't Miss Twice" by Murder by Death presents the story of a person who goes into the woods with a pack, a blade, and a cigar box medkit to reflect on their life and clear their head. Throughout the song, the person describes their use of a knife for various things, including shaving, bathing in the river, and clearing stubble. The person also acknowledges the risks of using a knife, highlighting that one does not miss twice when using a knife to shave. However, they also suggest that it is important not to get too worked up about the potential risks, reminding listeners that blood is just blood and there is no need to fret about minor injuries.
Line by Line Meaning
Into the woods with a pack and a blade
Heading into the woods with all the necessary equipment for survival and defense.
A cigar box medkit, retractable spade
Carrying a small first aid kit and a foldable shovel for various purposes during the trip.
Flint and steel
Bringing tools for fire starting so that the person can stay warm and cook food.
Pine needle bed
Planning to sleep on a bed made of pine needles, which is cost-effective and easy to make in the woods.
There ain't nothing like the woods
To clear your head
Being in the natural environment has a positive effect on mental health and can help someone relax and clear their mind.
I got a real nice piece
With a handle of bone
Possessing a high-quality knife with a handle made of bone, which can be used for various tasks such as preparing food, building shelter, or self-defense.
A good friend to have
When you're out on your own
Having a reliable and versatile knife is essential for survival when someone is alone in the woods.
But you don't miss twice...
When you're shavin' with a knife
A sharp knife is more effective than most razors when it comes to shaving, and misses are rare when using it.
Coarse grain sandpaper on my face
Having rough skin on the face due to stubble growing.
Felt my neck and reached for my blade
Feeling the roughness of the skin and picking up the knife to start shaving.
Thought I'd try my hand at the barber's trade
When you've got a knife, you've got it made
Attempting to shave oneself with the knife, realizing that having a knife is like having a barber's tool at hand.
Bathing in the river, it ain't half bad
Ya get a cool drink while you're takin' a bath
Taking a bath in the river is not a bad idea because it provides both cleanliness and a refreshing drink.
Stick your blade in the water and there's you lather, yeah
Using the river water to create foam for shaving using the knife.
Stubble's comin' in strong
Scratch your soft skin raw
Having strong, rough stubble growing out is causing damage to the skin while trying to shave.
Like a mean mutt
With a razor maw
Swipe along my neck
And against my jaw, mmm hmm
Feeling like a dog with a sharp jaw that is scratching the neck and jaw to remove the stubble.
Blood's just blood
No need to fuss
Or get your shorts in a bunch
And cuss and cuss
Blood is a normal part of using a sharp tool such as a knife, and there is no need to overreact or get upset by it.
Still you don't miss twice...
When you're shavin' with a knife
But you don't miss twice...
When you're shavin'
When you're shavin'
When you're shavin' with a knife
Reiterating the fact that a knife is a superior tool for shaving and misses are rare because it is so sharp.
Contributed by Lillian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.