Coin-Operated Boy

"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
Writer(s)	Amanda Palmer
The Dresden Dolls singles chronology
"Girl Anachronism" (2003) "Coin-Operated Boy" (2004) "Sing" (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 an artificial partner has over real ones in a tick-tock rhythm reminiscent of automata. The song has broad overtones of loneliness and a desire for a relationship with idealized physical affection but no personal sacrifice or chance of getting emotionally hurt.^[1]

Music video

The music video was shot, cut and directed by Michael Pope; it features Amanda Palmer as the protagonist of the song who turns to a man who is literally coin-operated (Brian Viglione) after being disappointed with other relationships. The video has a strong focus on her disillusionment with the coin operated man.

Cultural impact

In Australia, the song was ranked #12 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.

In July 2005, the Internet Sketch Comedy Show Moron Life released their parody of "Coin-Operated Boy" entitled "Beer-Activated Girl"^[2][3] to the delight of both Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione. The song was also parodied by Voltaire in his version "Coin-Operated Goy".^[4]

In January 2007 and 2011, "Coin-Operated Boy" was used in a commercial for the Austrian jam brand Darbo.^[5]

In 2009, the song was used in an Italian television commercial for the backpack Double.

It was also featured in The Dresden Dolls Companion.

Track listing

German CD single

1. "Coin-Operated Boy" - 3:33
2. "Coin-Operated Boy" (Live) - 5:44 (This is the same version as the one found on A Is for Accident.)
3. "Baby One More Time" (Live) - 3:20

Personnel

• Amanda Palmer - piano, vocals, lyricist, composer, songwriter
• Brian Viglione - drums, guitar
• Martin Bisi - Memory Man

Notes

1. ^ The Dresden Dolls - Contact Booking
2. ^ Moron Life. "Beer-Activated Girl". http://www.moronlife.com/2005/07/beer-activated-girl/. Retrieved 2 March 2011. 
3. ^ Moron Life. "Beer Activated Girl". http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1815208739769797657#. Retrieved 2 March 2011. 
4. ^ Voltaire sings his version of Coin Operated Boy
5. ^ Darbo Homepage: Description of commercial

External links

• The Dresden Dolls official site including lyrics and downloads
• Music Video Director's site including music video