Don't You Forget About Me #2 - Missed Me

MISSED ME

by The Dresden Dolls

The Dresden Dolls are/were quite amazing. Most know 'Coin-Operated Boy' because it got massive airplay on alternative radio, even placing on the Triple J Hottest 100. Yet, if I was to play one song to someone who hadn't heard them before I'd pick 'Missed Me' as it's the perfect example of their dark, self-diagnosed 'Brechtian punk cabaret.'

'Missed Me' is musically quite simple, but lyrically complex. It's essentially a much more messed up version of Lolita in song form, a younger girl seduced by an older man and when she figures out that something's not right she's really not happy about it. And she's going to get some sweet revenge. In no way is this song for everyone as it's more theatrical than your standard pop song and is almost delivered as if it was a show tune.

Amanda Palmer's delivery on vocals showcases a full emotional range. At the beginning of the song she's naive, sweet with a dash of mental instability as she sings over what's almost like a children's sing-a-long;

if you kiss me mister, you must think i'm pretty,

if you think so mister, you must want to fuck me,

if you fuck me mister, it must mean you love me,

if you love me mister, you would never leave me,

it's as simple as can be.

But of course the old guy screws her over and she's not impressed. No, she's pissed. So what's a girl to do? She gets his sorry ass thrown in the county penetentiary, because that's what will make him miss her! Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and so on and so forth.

Unexpected plot twist is just around the corner though. Lolita doesn't actually seem satisfied with her revenge. She's messed up so bad, in her own way she still misses him and it looks like she's going to wait for him to get out of jail. The desperation in Palmer's voice when she wails, "say you'll miss me," after promising to visit him if he says it, is scarily intense and perfectly delivered. Anyway, I'm rambling... so, check it out and if you like it, look into the Dolls' catalogue and even Amanda Palmer's solo works. You'll find some good stuff. Enjoy!