no second thoughts the knife is nearing you'll never hear the little pitter patter pitter patter of this little feat of engineering I first saw the Dresden Dolls perform on the BBC live music television show Too Late... with Jools Holland, which airs on the PBS network and some cable networks here in the States. I instantly became a fan of the group. In that telecast, I was fascinated to see such great music coming from just a piano and and a drum set.
Since I first saw the group perform on a London based television show, I assumed that a group named "Dresden" must be from Germany. Not the case. Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione, the two members of the group, are from Boston. When asked by a fan, via their website, if they are a couple, the response was, "Yes, a couple of freaks".
So why is the group called Dresden Dolls? I'm not sure, but when asked where their name came from, here is the response (from their website):
Dresden is a city in eastern Germany that was known widely for it's delicate china and porcelain, and for the delicate and innocent “dresden dolls” made from said stuffs. Ironically, many people also associate Dresden with the not-so-delicate firebombing that took place at the hands of the allies towards the very end of WWII in 1945, practically levelling the entire inner city (and it's unparalleled architectural beauty) within a few short days and killing thousands of men, women and children. If you're interested in an excellent book touching on the subject, written from an American soldier's artistic perspective, check out “Slaughterhouse Five” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Arguably, their most recognized song is Coin Operated Boy. You can't download that one from their website, but you can go here to download a boat load of free music from this indie group.
I always wondered about the song, Coin Operated Boy, which enjoyed some air play on the alternative stations in the States. Some have thought it was about a dildo. The group simply says it is about loneliness.
Amanda and Brian proudly proclaim their style to be Brechtian Punk Cabaret. Sometimes you hear gentle ballads. Sometimes they shout it out.
I have seen the group perform several times on television. Makeup plays a big part for both in their performances with Brian often appearing rather femme. For this reason, when searching for TG themed songs, I visited their website and hit pay dirt with Sex Changes. I have no reason to believe that either considers themselves transgendered and there is nothing in print about this.
Sex Changes is from the album, Yes Virginia, released in 2006. There is a lot of dialog on the Web about the real meaning behind this song. The general consensus seems to be that it has a double meaning. It is about a sex change and it is about how the act of sex can change someone. Listen to the lyrics and you decide.
dear mr. and/or mrs. sender-
we're pleased to inform you that your applications been accepted
starting from the time you get this letter
your life will be one never-ending
“hope you're feeling better”
you get your choice of an aesthetic
we'll need to chop your clock off (tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock)
it might not be what you expected
there is no money back once you've been ripped off
today's a very special day
the boys'll murder for it but what will the neighbors say
it leaves you feeling pretty hollow
it might be nice to look at
don't forget you're stuck with it tomorrow (and tomorrow, and tomorrow....)
you're big enough to stop pretending
you'll start to really show within a week or so
so don't go saying it's just come to your attention
you'll get more than you're asking for without the right protection
today's a very special day
and how you'd love to have a little thing with which to play
but love wont get you very far
today be still your beating heart
you'll have to keep on feeding it tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be boys will be girls with no warning
girls will be girls will be guys will be boys that don't cry over toys that they use to beat girls they despise by the morning
they always said that sex would change you...
no second thoughts the knife is nearing
you'll never hear the little pitter patter pitter patter
of this little feat of engineering
of course i love you and of course it's what's inside that matters
but i think the whole charade is ending
it seems to me to be the only way to keep from getting
caught up in a long life of regretting
the doctors said that once you get a taste for it you'll keep on cutting
but while you happen to be here
why don't you whisper all those sweet forevers in my ear
stiff upper lip for all this sorrow
hurry up and stick it in
you never when it will end
tomorrow or tomorrow or tomorrow...
[Lyrics from www.dresdendolls.com]
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