| "Coin-Operated Boy" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
) | ||||
| Single by The Dresden Dolls | ||||
| from the album The Dresden Dolls | ||||
| Released | December 13, 2004 | |||
| Genre | Dark cabaret | |||
| Length | 4:46 | |||
| Label | Roadrunner | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Amanda Palmer | |||
| The Dresden Dolls singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Coin-Operated Boy" is a single by The Dresden Dolls duo, taken from the self-titled debut album The Dresden Dolls. It was produced by Martin Bisi and released on December 13, 2004 by Roadrunner Records. "Coin-Operated Boy" was written by Amanda Palmer. The song makes heavy use of staccato, and includes instruments such as a toy piano.
Interpretation
Palmer expounds on the many advantages of an artificial and subhuman partner over real ones in a tick-tock rhythm reminiscent of automata. The song has broad overtones of lonely narcissism, and a desire for intimate loyalty and affection without personal sacrifice or vulnerability.[1] Caroline Bologna of The Huffington Post writes that the song "suggests themes of masturbation as it explores the idea of the pleasure of love without the 'complications' of a real partner".[2]
Reception
In Australia, the song was ranked #12 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.
It has been parodied and used in advertisements and products.[3][4]
Track listing
- German CD single
- "Coin-Operated Boy" - 3:33
- "Coin-Operated Boy" (Live) - 5:44 (This is the same version as the one found on A Is for Accident.)
- "Baby One More Time" (Live) - 3:20
It is in The Dresden Dolls Companion.
Personnel
- Amanda Palmer - piano, vocals, lyricist, composer, songwriter
- Brian Viglione - drums, guitar
- Martin Bisi - Memory Man
- Michael Pope - music video director
References
- ^ "Contact Booking". The Dresden Dolls. 2006-01-15. Archived from the original on 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ^ Bologna, Caroline (August 27, 2015). "22 Sexy Songs That Give Female Masturbation The Love It Deserves". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
- ^ Moron Life. "Beer-Activated Girl on MoronLife.com". Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ "Darbo Homepage: Description of commercial". Darbo.at. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
External links
- The Dresden Dolls official site including lyrics and downloads
- Music Video Director's site including music video
- Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics