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.
The Gardener
The Dresden Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you know they'll hunt you down
Drop every box and step back
The spring might come out
My little miss cotton
You're quite the stubborn kind
If we cant make it work
[Chorus]
We'll make a man out of you yet
We will cram brambles in your bed
Just close your eyes and count to ten
This is as good as it will get
And it's a little mellow whipping
A flutter to your knees
They hung two things before me
Oh the possibilities
Thank you for the warning
But I still see inside
A little global warming
Never hurt no one
[Chorus]
Don't rest my little flower
You're getting put to use
You've always been a failure
But now you're bearing strange new fruit of hell
The insides are all useless
But the rest is fertile still
I'll take the belt from off the hook
And watch the garden grow
We'll make a man out of you yet
You won't know what will hit you next
The gardener's coming to collect
You wanted love that's what you'll get
The gardener's coming to collect
The gardener's coming to collect
The gardener's coming to collect
The gardener's coming to collect
The Dresden Dolls' "The Gardener" is a haunting and disturbing song about a relationship gone wrong. The lyrics describe a sadistic gardener who takes pleasure in hurting and controlling his partner. The opening lines "Sorry for swipe off, But you know they'll hunt you down, Drop every box and step back, The spring might come out," suggest a sense of danger and urgency, as the singer warns their partner to be careful or risk serious consequences.
The next verse suggests that the partner, referred to as "my little miss cotton," is stubborn and resistant to the relationship. The gardener warns that if they can't make it work, they will resort to violence. The chorus promises to "make a man out of you yet," implying a desire to strip away the partner's identity and replace it with something more compliant. The reference to "cramming brambles in your bed" suggests a desire to inflict pain and discomfort.
The final verse suggests that the partner is being used for some sort of twisted experiment. The "strange new fruit of hell" that they are bearing implies that they are being forced to produce something, possibly against their will. The final repetition of "the gardener's coming to collect" suggests that the partner is ultimately going to be punished for their resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
Sorry for swipe off
Apologies for taking something quickly without permission
But you know they'll hunt you down
Consequences will follow for taking something without permission
Drop every box and step back
Abandon everything and retreat
The spring might come out
Dangerous consequences may result
My little miss cotton
Term of endearment for a loved one
You're quite the stubborn kind
You are a determined person
If we cant make it work
If we can't find a solution
We will take it out in blood
We will resort to violent measures
[Chorus]
Refrain
We'll make a man out of you yet
We will make you stronger and more resilient
We will cram brambles in your bed
We will subject you to discomfort and pain
Just close your eyes and count to ten
Try to relax and endure the pain
This is as good as it will get
This is the best we can do
And it's a little mellow whipping
Punishment will be emotionally painful
A flutter to your knees
You will be weakened and humbled
They hung two things before me
Two possibilities are presented
Oh the possibilities
The potential outcomes are exciting and uncertain
Thank you for the warning
Gratitude for information provided
But I still see inside
I am aware of the truth
A little global warming
Small amounts of heating up can be positive
Never hurt no one
It has not caused harm
Don't rest my little flower
Continue to work and produce
You're getting put to use
You are being utilized
You've always been a failure
You have not been successful in the past
But now you're bearing strange new fruit of hell
But now you are producing unusual and possibly dangerous results
The insides are all useless
The internal parts have no value
But the rest is fertile still
The rest is still useful for growth
I'll take the belt from off the hook
I will use physical punishment to control you
And watch the garden grow
And observe the results of my actions
The gardener's coming to collect
The person in charge of the garden is coming to inspect and take what is due
You wanted love that's what you'll get
You desired attention, and now you will receive it in a negative way
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amanda Palmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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