what it feels like to listen to the dresden dolls (Patreon)

so i’m sitting here with headphones on, going through the dresden dolls entire recorded catalog (which to be fair, is only four records), getting ready for rehearsals with brian. some of these songs i haven’t listened to - literally - for probably ten or fifteen years.

which is a real phenomenon because in a strange kind of way, i can ALMOST imagine what it was like to hear these songs for the first time as a stranger. the lyrics almost feel like they were written by someone else, and i’m trying to figure out what is going on.

i just put on “dear jenny” from the album “no, virginia”

https://dresdendolls.bandcamp.com/track/dear-jenny

and all i have to say at the moment is this:

good LORD jesus christ are these songs completely weird. just …. bananapants bizarro land. what the hell.

and also:

i can’t believe i got to record these songs that were so weird!!! somehow this was allowed to happen!!!

and most significantly:

i’m sort of jealous of the girl who wrote these songs.

i wish i could still write like her.

maybe i can.

we will see.

i have all of you, after all.

this is going to be so fucking fun.

i get to be in the dresden dolls again.

xxx

A

photo: kyle cassidy

PS edit; here’s the lyrics. why not. (and since i’ve been thinking about them because they’re on TOUR in america …. this girl was clearly listening to a lot of legendary pink dots, i see the influence all over the place now with a little time and perspective)

DEAR JENNY

Boys wear overcoats in heat like this to keep themselves from showing

Girls fill out prescriptions for the tricks that keep their hearts from growing

Specialists review the year in tears and call for drastic measures

Send them to resorts for boys and girl to get their shit together

Sad but true the facts of life are bound to get you down

So what's the use dear Jenny anyway the world is pretty...

Ashley talks to astronauts back home by way of fax transmission

Andy gets a new tattoo each time he gets back bathroom privilege

Weary o so drearily we wave our flags into the camera

Amber goes berserk completely she's been here since last December

Sad but true the truth can turn your smile to a frown

So what's the use dear jenny anyway the world is pretty

world is pretty

Upside-down...

The rates are better in the summer

Looks like dear jenny's doing better...

Back at home the broadcast warning bounces off of an empty table

Jenny asks the astronauts to sleep with her behind the stable

Christmas hasn't been the same since dad put in the central heating

Checks you before bedtime with a battery to keep your new heart beating

And the world might turn a million times around before

They tell you jenny anyway the world is happy world is pretty happy

Sometimes they let strangers in and other times they check the records

When they check out in the morning dad puts out the lie detectors

Jenny prays to gods she's never heard of for a special warning

All the walls stay dead as Jenny's heart is

But she's still

observing

Sad but true the two of us might really make it through

So what's the use?

dear jenny

anyway

The world is happy

World is happy

World is happy without you...

The rates are better in the summer....

Looks like old Jenny's doing better...