They describe their heavily art-damaged and theatrical style as "Brechtian punk cabaret", a phrase invented by Palmer because she was "terrified" that the press would invent a name that "would involve the word 'gothic'," and are part of an underground dark cabaret movement that started gaining momentum in the early 1990s.
Palmer accompanies her confessional story-songs with a thunderous and shimmering piano style that rests on the shoulders of Jerry Lee Lewis and Nina Simone. Viglione's jazz and hardcore-influenced drumming and creative percussion are the perfect foil, providing in turns a delicate cradle of rhythm and a piercing bed of nails onto which Palmer lays her raw, tragicomic lyrics.
The release of their debut album The Dresden Dolls, produced by Martin Bisi (Swans, Sonic Youth), has won the band accolades from both mainstream and underground media, and it appears that the Dolls are poised to transcend cult status and smash all commonly held ideas about what a rock band is supposed to be. Their awe-striking live energy and singular look has earned them opening slots for Nine Inch Nails, Beck, the B-52s, Jane's Addiction, OK Go and Panic! At the Disco, a tour with the Legendary Pink Dots, and a victory in the 2003 WBCN Rock and Roll Rumble.
Their second album Yes, Virginia was released in 2006, eventually followed by a companion record No, Virginia in 2008, which features b-sides and out-takes from the "Yes, Virginia" sessions, as well as a smattering of new tracks.
At the end of summer 2008 they announced a hiatus. The band has made further announcements saying they will reunite when the time is right for both of them, and have stressed they have not broken up.
In September 2008, rumors began to circulate about the future of the whole band. Viglione confirmed that the band is currently on hiatus but emphasized that he and Palmer are on good terms and that they will get together again when it feels right for both of them. In late July and early August 2009, a rumor began to spread that the band was "reuniting for performances in 2010" but Palmer clarified in her blog on August 7: "There's been a ton of press lately re-printing an old quote from an old interview that's now blown up into a full-fledged press rumour that Brian and I have planned Dresden Dolls' shows for 2010. Not true. We aren't planning any shows. Sorry about that, blame the gossip whores."
In 2010, a reunion tour to selected venues in the United States occurred. It started on Halloween in New York City and ended in San Francisco on New Years Eve.
The Dresden Dolls played a show in Mexico City on 9 December 2011. They had a tour of New Zealand and Australia in early 2012, supported by The Jane Austen Argument and The Bedroom Philosopher.
Backstabber
The Dresden Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you want to jump around but try to contain yourself
You always struck me as the type to take it lightly
But now you're gonna have to shut your mouth when you fight me
Ohh, backstabber, backstabber
you're all alone, you're all over the popular magazines
But she got no right to sit there saying, "I abuse it"
When you only sleep with girls who say they like your music
Ohh, backstabber, backstabber, backstabber, backstabber
Backstabber, backstabber, backstabber, backstabber
Backstabber, hope grabber, greedy little fit haver, God, I feel for you, fool
You shit lover, off brusher, jaded bitter, joy crusher
Failure has made you so cruel, you
Rotten to the core, rotten to the core
Rotten like a crack whore, backing out the backdoor
Show us what you're good for then stick to the noise board
Come on join the bloodsport, show us some support
Still working in the drugstore, is it because you're a fucking?
Backstabber, hope grabber, greedy little fit haver, God, I feel for you, fool
You shit lover, off brusher, jaded bitter, joy crusher
Failure has made you so cruel
So, don't tell me what to write and don't tell me that I'm wrong
And don't tell me not to reference my songs within my songs, oh oh
You, backstabber, you backstabber
Backstabber, hope grabber, greedy fucking fit haver, backstabber, oh, oh
The Dresden Dolls’ song “Backstabber” is a raw and biting critique of a two-faced individual. The song opens up with a reference to a record going from blue to gold, presumably representing the change in tone of the person being criticized. The next few lines contain a warning to the person to contain themselves and not be hasty in their actions. The singer then confronts the subject about their hypocrisy and calls them out on their behavior. They call them a backstabber and accuse them of only caring about their own success and image.
The chorus of the song then reveals the singer’s anger and disgust towards the person, calling them a “rotten to the core” and a “greedy little fit haver”. They highlight the person's seemingly callous attitude towards others, especially those who do not conform to their views. The singer then goes on to mock the subject for their supposed shallow attempts at being part of the popular culture scene.
Finally, the song ends with a call out to the subject to stay out of the singer’s creative process and not criticize or dictate their art.
Overall, “Backstabber” is a confrontational and critical song that brings to light the hidden motives and hypocrisy of individuals. The Dresden Dolls utilize their punk and cabaret style to convey the anger and intensity of the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
The record goes from blue to gold, so thank you for all your help
Things have improved, thanks to the help provided.
I know you want to jump around but try to contain yourself
Be cautious of your actions.
You always struck me as the type to take it lightly
You appeared to not care much before.
But now you're gonna have to shut your mouth when you fight me
You've provoked a reaction and no more talk.
Ohh, backstabber, backstabber
Calling out the person's behavior.
you're all alone, you're all over the popular magazines
Your fame will not sustain you emotionally.
Will never care, what do you care? you're down with the Japanese
Not worried about social culture appreciation.
But she got no right to sit there saying, "I abuse it"
False accusation without proper evidence.
When you only sleep with girls who say they like your music
You only use fans to avoid investing emotionally.
Backstabber, hope grabber, greedy little fit haver, God, I feel for you, fool
Feeling sad for what caused the person to behave negatively.
You shit lover, off brusher, jaded bitter, joy crusher
Using insults to express disappointment in behavior.
Failure has made you so cruel
Past failures provoked malice and selfishness.
Rotten to the core, rotten to the core
Their critical inner character is also negative.
Rotten like a crack whore, backing out the backdoor
Compares the person's behavior to negative things unappealing to society.
Show us what you're good for then stick to the noise board
Demonstrate why you're good and make music not drama.
Come on join the bloodsport, show us some support
Make positive contributions to society instead of being a negative influence.
Still working in the drugstore, is it because you're a fucking?
Suggesting that person works in a drugstore because of their negative behavior.
So, don't tell me what to write and don't tell me that I'm wrong
Requesting personal artistic authority.
And don't tell me not to reference my songs within my songs, oh oh
Being self-referent in artistic expression.
You, backstabber, you backstabber
Reemphasizing the other person's negative behavior.
Backstabber, hope grabber, greedy fucking fit haver, backstabber, oh, oh
Conclusionary repetition of the song's main message.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amanda Palmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adambartlett114
umm, OK then...
Luckily, you are not facing the choice!
Since you clearly dislike them, perhaps it's time to move on?
Afterall, why would you force yourself to listen to them & us to listen to you when we both obviously consider such to be preferable only to death???
Adam
@adambartlett114
+ninjaassassin27
+ninjaassassin27
opps, sorry... my bad, did you edit your comment to make it clearer or did I somehow misread or misheard it...
Either way, it's a great song... Sorry for not understanding more carefully...
Adam
BTW- you don't have to go anywhere... I was wrong :)
I love at the beginning, "I know you want to jump around but try to contain yourself" * Cue jump*
@kayulpuput
The record goes from blue to gold, so thank you for all your help
I know you want to jump around but try to contain yourself
You always struck me as the type to take it lightly
But now you're gonna have to shut your mouth when you fight me
Ohh, backstabber, backstabber
you're all alone, you're all over the popular magazines
Will never care, what do you care? you're down with the Japanese
But she got no right to sit there saying, "I abuse it"
When you only sleep with girls who say they like your music
Ohh, backstabber, backstabber, backstabber, backstabber
Backstabber, backstabber, backstabber, backstabber
Backstabber, hope grabber, greedy little fit haver, God, I feel for you, fool
You shit lover, off brusher, jaded bitter, joy crusher
Failure has made you so cruel, you
Rotten to the core, rotten to the core
Rotten like a crack whore, backing out the backdoor
Show us what you're good for then stick to the noise board
Come on join the bloodsport, show us some support
Still working in the drugstore, is it because you're a fucking?
Backstabber, hope grabber, greedy little fit haver, God, I feel for you, fool
You shit lover, off brusher, jaded bitter, joy crusher
Failure has made you so cruel
So, don't tell me what to write and don't tell me that I'm wrong
And don't tell me not to reference my songs within my songs, oh oh
You, backstabber, you backstabber
Backstabber, hope grabber, greedy fucking fit haver, backstabber, oh, oh
@iangardner9563
one of the most underrated bands in history.
@courtbishop5359
100%
@macaroll
i only found this band just now.
@efraincitomendoza5687
Absolutely agree my friend. My girlfriend introduced me that band a few weeks ago. They are amazing and stunning. The drummer and Palmer are such a great duet. And just so you know, Road Runner is the same label one of the most remarkable metal progressive bands: Dream Theater. By knowing this is great to see how underated bands are more brilliant than popular bands. Regards
@denistru8364
+
@breannavince3706
There’s only like 3 songs that calm my anxiety and this is for shure one of them. I’ve been into a lot of punk whatever music but this was the first band I got into before I knew what punk was and still to this day (I’m 27 and got into the band whe. I was like 14) and they get me every time as silly as that sounds. Forever a fan ❤️❤️ also had the dvd and the performances kick ass on that so if your into the Dresden dolls I would def check that out. Not to be lame but this band changed my life aahaha and I wouldn’t normally be comfortable saying that but they are so unique how could you not love them. I remember as a kid listening to them then got into not the adopts and so on
…also inspired me to play piano. Fucking love this band..that’s all I have to say
@breannavince3706
*got into the addicts (stupid auto correct)
@lucidox
What are the other songs?
@whitecloak11
I worked at a music club for 5 years and these guys were incredible the drummer is hands down one of the best I've seen ,great fucking band
@iamme2289
Really miss them and their sound, so grateful for being able to watch/listen to them when ever I want.