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.
Fuego
Murder by Death Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The scent of smoke on the breeze
Wherever she goes that's where I'll be
Whatever she wants that's what I need
Baby, it's been so long
That even the roses hips
Are turning me on
I want you
I want you
The heat floats on top of our skin
Like an ice cube in a glass of gin
I can't even hear the words you say
I need to leave but I want to stay
Baby, it's been so long
That even the roses hips
Are turning me on
Baby, it's been so long
I want you, I want you
I get the feeling if I stay with you
You'll never let me go
I want you
Feel like a ship on dry land
Or an island in the sand
Your kiss is cool, despite the heat
You've got my senses beat
If I stay I won't last long
You've got a hold on me so strong
I hear your song
All I hear is your song
It's so hot
The bones show through her skin
It's so hot
That the bones show through her skin
The lyrics to Murder by Death's song Fuego seem to describe a passionate and intense relationship between two people. The imagery used is that of fire and heat, suggesting a burning desire and attraction. The first verse describes the woman as walking with fire at her heels, indicating her intense nature and power. The singer seems to be completely captivated by her, stating that wherever she goes, that's where he'll be and whatever she wants, that's what he needs.
In the chorus, the singer admits that it has been a long time since they were together, and the attraction still burns strong. He wants her desperately and compares the heat between them to an ice cube in a glass of gin. However, despite his desire, there is a sense of danger and uncertainty. He feels like a ship on dry land or an island in the sand, indicating a sense of instability and unease in their relationship. He knows that if he stays with her, it may not be good for him, but he can't resist her song.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a complicated and intense relationship filled with attraction, danger, and uncertainty. The imagery of fire and heat adds to the sense of passion and intensity, while the uncertain tone hints at potential danger and instability.
Line by Line Meaning
She walked with fire at her heels
She emanated passion from her very steps
The scent of smoke on the breeze
The hint of a grander force leaving a trail
Wherever she goes that's where I'll be
Her presence is a magnetic pull on me
Whatever she wants that's what I need
Her wishes have become my desires
Baby, it's been so long
It feels like ages since I last saw you
That even the roses hips
That indicates a long duration of time
Are turning me on
The presence of everything reminds me of you
I want you
You are what I truly desire
The heat floats on top of our skin
The uncomfortable warmth sits on us like a burden
Like an ice cube in a glass of gin
We are two contrasting elements mixed together
I can't even hear the words you say
The burning sensation is the only sound I can hear
I need to leave but I want to stay
The attraction is holding me back, despite the discomfort
I get the feeling if I stay with you
My instincts warn me of the consequences of my desire
You'll never let me go
You have an unbreakable hold over me
Feel like a ship on dry land
I am out of my natural element
Or an island in the sand
I am stranded, craving for you to save me
Your kiss is cool, despite the heat
You offer a sense of relief from the scorching heat
You've got my senses beat
You are making me delirious
If I stay I won't last long
I know that the burning passion will be the death of me
You've got a hold on me so strong
I am entrapped by my desire for you
I hear your song
I am powerless against your seduction
All I hear is your song
My mind is overwhelmed with thoughts of you
It's so hot
The temperature is at an unbearable high
The bones show through her skin
The physical effect of the intense heat on the body
Contributed by Caden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andi Spellman
Lyrics:
She walked with fire at her heels.
The scent of smoke on the breeze.
Wherever she goes that's where I'll be.
Whatever she wants that's what I need.
Baby, it's been so long that even the roses hips are turning me on.
Baby, it's been so long.
I want you.
I want you.
The heat floats on top of our skin.
Like an ice cube in a glass of gin.
I can't even hear the words you say.
I need to leave, but I want to stay.
Baby, it's been so long that even the roses hips are turning me on.
Baby, it's been so long.
I want you.
I want you.
I get the feeling if I stay with you, you'll never let me go.
I want you.
Feel like a ship on dry land.
Or an island in the sand.
Your kiss is cool, despite the heat.
You've got my senses beat.
If I stay, I won't last long.
You've got a hold on me so strong.
I hear your song.
All I hear is your song.
It's so hot.
The bones show through her skin.
It's so hot.
That the bones show through her skin
mouthbreathers
Still sends chills down my spine every time I hear this song. A phenomenal album all the way through.
skatopolis II
+mouthbreathers me too.so much so, that ive been trying to plan out a visual of the opening lyrics:"she walks with fire at her heels"
Andi Spellman
Lyrics:
She walked with fire at her heels.
The scent of smoke on the breeze.
Wherever she goes that's where I'll be.
Whatever she wants that's what I need.
Baby, it's been so long that even the roses hips are turning me on.
Baby, it's been so long.
I want you.
I want you.
The heat floats on top of our skin.
Like an ice cube in a glass of gin.
I can't even hear the words you say.
I need to leave, but I want to stay.
Baby, it's been so long that even the roses hips are turning me on.
Baby, it's been so long.
I want you.
I want you.
I get the feeling if I stay with you, you'll never let me go.
I want you.
Feel like a ship on dry land.
Or an island in the sand.
Your kiss is cool, despite the heat.
You've got my senses beat.
If I stay, I won't last long.
You've got a hold on me so strong.
I hear your song.
All I hear is your song.
It's so hot.
The bones show through her skin.
It's so hot.
That the bones show through her skin
89 ksokd
Thanks for posting!
Andi Spellman
@89 ksokd Of course! I have audio processing issues, so I always need lyrics to understand what people are saying.
Homegrown With Tonie
Hands down one of my favorite bands, adams voice is pure sex
pseudocaveman
By far, my favourite song from this album.
Brotherogre
I love it when somebody asks what Murder By Death sounds like, and I am unable to put it into words, It's something you must experience
soitgoes82
Without a doubt. No way to explain it. Just listen.
Eric Rains
I totally agree, their live show rocks.