Who Killed Amanda Palmer - Song History

Song History

• "Ampersand" began appearing during Dresden Dolls concerts shortly after their album Yes, Virginia... was released.
• "The Point of It All" was performed numerous times during Palmer's solo sets during the Dresden Dolls' film festival project Fuck the Back Row, in 2007. She also performed "Night Reconnaissance" during these concerts, leading to fans expecting it as a solo Amanda Palmer track only. However, that song was eventually released on the Dolls collection No, Virginia...
• "Blake Says" has been shared online for many years; the version that has circulated is from a performance in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2004. It has been a staple in Palmer's solo shows and has been performed since at least 2001. It heavily references the Velvet Underground song "Stephanie Says", and is named after Boston artist Blake Brasher.
• "Straight", which was recorded during the sessions but not actually on the album, has also circulated under the working title "Hey Bitch".
• According to Palmer's MySpace, her set lists show that she had performed "Another Year", "Runs in the Family", "Guitar Hero", "Blake Says", "Ampersand", "Astronaut" and "Leeds United" during her 2007 summer concerts.
• "Have to Drive" has been performed sporadically during Dresden Dolls concerts, but not since 2005.
• The earliest version of "Astronaut" was finished on October 15, 2006, at the Crystal Ballroom.
• "Runs in the Family" was written during the same time period as "Girl Anachronism" and was performed as a Dresden Dolls song before being vetoed for the band.
• The earliest version of "Guitar Hero" was finished in late 2006.
• The melody for "Another Year" was given to Palmer by Cormac Bride in 2005 as noted by Palmer on July 20, 2005, at a Boston performance.
• Palmer stated during the Evelyn Evelyn tour that "Astronaut" was created in Portland Oregon's very own "Crystal Ballroom" while traveling for the earlier Dresden Dolls tour to the same location.