Coin-Operated Boy
{{more citations needed|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Coin-Operated Boy
| cover = coin_boy.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = The Dresden Dolls
| album = The Dresden Dolls
| released = December 13, 2004
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Dark cabaret
| length = 4:46
| label = Roadrunner
| writer = Amanda Palmer
| producer =
| prev_title = Girl Anachronism
| prev_year = 2003
| next_title = Sing
| next_year = 2006
}}
"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 or clockwork. The song has broad overtones of lonely narcissism, and a desire for intimate loyalty and affection without personal sacrifice or vulnerability.{{cite web |url=http://www.dresdendolls.com/contact_theband.htm |title=Contact Booking |publisher=The Dresden Dolls |date=2006-01-15 |access-date=2012-01-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090705133018/http://www.dresdendolls.com/contact_theband.htm |archive-date=2009-07-05 }} 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".{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/22-sexy-songs-that-give-female-masturbation-the-love-it-deserves_us_55d767e6e4b08cd3359c009f|title=22 Sexy Songs That Give Female Masturbation The Love It Deserves|first=Caroline|last=Bologna|work=The Huffington Post|date=August 27, 2015|access-date=October 13, 2016}}
Legacy
=Reception=
In Australia, the song was ranked #12 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.
=In popular culture=
It has been parodied and used in advertisements and products.{{cite web|title=Beer-Activated Girl on MoronLife.com|url=http://www.moronlife.com/2005/07/beer-activated-girl/|author=Moron Life| author-link=Moron Life|access-date=2 March 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.darbo.at/en#/en/adv/television-commercials/50,fruchtikus-2007-kiss.html |title=Darbo Homepage: Description of commercial |work=Darbo.at |access-date=2012-01-01}} The song was featured in the third episode of the DC Studios animated series Creature Commandos, titled "Cheers to the Tin Man".{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/creature-commandos-soundtrack-songs/|work=Screen Rant|title=Creature Commandos Soundtrack Guide: Every Song In James Gunn DC Universe TV Show|first1=Richard|last1=Craig|first2=Brandon|last2=Howard|accessdate=December 13, 2024}}
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
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080308195858/http://www.dresdendolls.com/downloads_n_lyrics/index.htm The Dresden Dolls official site] including lyrics and downloads
- [http://popecinema.com Music Video Director's site] including music video
{{The Dresden Dolls}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:The Dresden Dolls songs