Coin-Operated Boy

“Coin-Operated Boy”
Single by The Dresden Dolls from the album The Dresden Dolls
Released	December 13, 2004
Genre	Punk cabaret
Length	4:46
Label	Roadrunner Records
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 released on December 13, 2004 by Roadrunner Records. "Coin-Operated Boy" was written by Amanda Palmer. The title track's tune is sharp, sweet, and staccato, including among its instruments a toy piano.

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

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 want for a relationship with all the physical affection but none of the work or the chance of getting hurt.^[1]

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 coin operated man (Brian Viglione) after being disappointed with other men. The video has a strong focus on her disillusionment with the coin operated man.

In July 2005, the Internet Sketch Comedy Show Moron Life released their parody of "Coin Operated Boy" entitled Beer Activated Girl to the delight of both Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione. Voltaire has a parody of "Coin Operated Boy" entitled Coin Operated Goy.^[2] And there is the parody Coin Operated (chin?).

In the Dresden Dolls Companion,^[3] Amanda Palmer has published the lyrics, sheet music, history, and creative process for this single.

In January 2007, "Coin-Operated Boy" was used in a commercial for the Austrian jam brand Darbo.^[4]

Since 2008 there also exists a new, electronic hands-up version of the track by Hands Up Squad vs. Sioux Deejays.^[5]

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

Notes

External links

• Watch "Coin-Operated Boy" on YouTube
• The Dresden Dolls official site including lyrics and downloads