Demons Dance Alone

Demons Dance Alone

Company type	Album
Industry	Music
Founded	2002
Founder	The Residents
Products	Concept album, DVD

Demons Dance Alone is a concept album released in 2002 by the American art rock ensemble The Residents, accompanied by a DVD in 2003. The work delves into the emotional consequences following the events of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The album is divided into three thematic segments: "Loss," "Denial," and "The Three Metaphors," bookended by the tracks "Tongue" and "Demons Dance Alone," with instrumental interludes linking the sections.

CD

Within the CD booklet, a passage titled "The Residents Have Left The Building" hints at a transformation in the band's identity. It mentions that some contributors are vestiges of the original lineup, remaining mostly for nostalgic reasons, and raises questions about who truly embodies THE RESIDENTS, suggesting a collective rather than individual identity.

In 2016, Cryptic / MVDaudio re-released Demons Dance Alone on CD (catalog number MVD8235A).

CD Track listing

1. "Tongue" – 1:11

Loss

2. "Life Would Be Wonderful" – 3:50
   • Occasionally referred to as "Mr. Wonderful"
3. "The Weatherman" – 3:06
4. "Ghost Child" – 2:56
5. "Caring" – 3:50
6. "Honey Bear" – 4:14
7. "The Car Thief" – 3:59
8. "Neediness" – 4:08
9. – 0:25¤
10. "Tongue (Part 2)" – 0:44¤
11. – 0:06¤

Denial

12. "Thundering Skies" – 2:54
13. "Mickey Macaroni" – 2:44
14. "Betty's Body" – 3:31
15. "My Brother Paul" – 3:07
16. – 0:17¤
17. "Baja" – 2:29
18. – 0:27¤
19. "Tongue (Part 3)" – 0:32¤
20. – 0:04¤

Three Metaphors

21. "Beekeeper's Daughter" – 2:53
22. – 0:08¤
23. "Wolverines" – 2:58
24. – 0:04¤
25. "Make Me Moo" – 2:41
26. – 0:35¤
27. "Tongue (Part 4)" – 1:03¤
28. "Demons Dance Alone" – 3:43

Limited Edition Bonus CD

1. "Sleepwalker" – 2:55
2. "Hidden Hand (Instrumental)" – 1:44
3. "Black Cats" – 1:18

Early Scratch Recordings From Demons Dance Alone

4. "Weatherman" – 2:02
5. "Make Me Moo" – 2:15
6. "The Car Thief" – 1:32
7. "The Brother Paul" – 1:25
8. "Caring" – 1:11
9. "Honey Bear" – 1:39
10. "Wolverines" – 1:33
11. "Mickey Macaroni" – 2:03
12. "Demons Dance Alone" – 1:08
13. "Happy Thanksgiving" – 2:22
14. "Hidden Hand (Vocal)" – 2:23
15. "Vampire" – 3:07
16. "Tortured" – 3:12

Vocals

Guest vocalist Molly Harvey plays a prominent role, taking lead on tracks such as "The Weatherman," "Caring," "The Car Thief," and "The Beekeeper's Daughter," while sharing lead duties on "Life Would Be Wonderful" and "Ghost Child." Children's voices are featured on "Mickey Macaroni" and "Make Me Moo." The majority of songs are led or co-led by The Residents' primary singer, recognized for his low-pitched, softly spoken vocal delivery.

DVD

Issued in 2003, the Demons Dance Alone DVD showcases fourteen selections from the album—including three renditions of "Life Would Be Wonderful"—recorded during live tour performances. Instead of a traditional concert film, it offers an autonomous visual experience incorporating avant-garde elements such as infrared camera imagery.

Performers uphold The Residents' iconic masked and costumed personas, predominantly clad in quasi-military outfits. Musicians don intense camouflage attire and perform behind a camouflage netting. The stage activity focuses on the lead vocalist, Harvey (also masked), alongside an acrobatic dancer dressed in a red demon costume who manipulates powerful spotlights or occasionally plays a trumpet. This dancer engages with other performers through non-verbal interactions. The DVD begins and concludes with musical excerpts from the classic film King Kong (1933).

DVD Chapter Index

1. "Betty's Body"
2. "Mickey Macaroni"
3. "Wolverines"
4. "Mr. Wonderful"
5. "Caring"
6. "My Brother Paul"
7. "The Car Thief"
8. "Ms. Wonderful"
9. "Baha" ("Baja")
10. "From The Plains To Mexico"
11. "Golden Goat"
12. "The Shoe Salesman"
13. "Honey Bear"
14. "Life Would Be Wonderful"
15. "Neediness"
16. "Demons Dance Alone"