what it feels like to listen to the dresden dolls
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…