Coin-Operated Boy
Encyclopedia
"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
.
. 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.
; 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.
, 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" to the delight of both Amanda Palmer
and Brian Viglione
. The song was also parodied by Voltaire
in his version "Coin-Operated Goy".
In January 2007 and 2011, "Coin-Operated Boy" was used in a commercial for the Austrian jam brand Darbo.
In 2009, the song was used in an Italian television commercial for the backpack
Double.
It was also featured in The Dresden Dolls Companion
.
The Dresden Dolls
The Dresden Dolls are an American musical duo from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 2000, the group consists of Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione...
duo, taken from the self-titled debut album The Dresden Dolls
The Dresden Dolls (album)
The Dresden Dolls is the self-titled debut studio album by American dark cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls. It was recorded by Brooklyn producer Martin Bisi and released on 26 September 2003 on 8ft. Records, the band's personal label. Upon signing with Roadrunner Records, the album was re-released on...
. It was produced by Martin Bisi
Martin bisi
Martin Bisi is an American producer and songwriter.He is known for recording important records by Sonic Youth, Swans, John Zorn, Material, Bill Laswell, Helmet, Unsane, Cop Shoot Cop, White Zombie, Boredoms, Angels of Light and Herbie Hancock's Grammy-winning song Rockit,In 1979, Martin Bisi...
and released on December 13, 2004 by Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
. "Coin-Operated Boy" was written by Amanda Palmer
Amanda Palmer
Amanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer , sometimes known as Amanda Fucking Palmer, is an American performer who first rose to prominence as the lead singer, pianist, and lyricist/composer of the duo The Dresden Dolls...
. The song makes heavy use of staccato
Staccato
Staccato is a form of musical articulation. In modern notation it signifies a note of shortened duration and separated from the note that may follow by silence...
, and includes instruments such as a toy piano
Toy piano
The toy piano, also known as the kinderklavier , is a small piano-like musical instrument. The present form of the toy piano was invented in Philadelphia by a 17-year-old German immigrant named Albert Schoenhut. He worked as a repairman at Wanamaker's department store, repairing broken glass...
.
Interpretation
Palmer expounds on the many advantages an artificial partner has over real ones in a tick-tock rhythm reminiscent of automataAutomata
Automata is the plural form of automaton, a self-operating machine. It may also refer to:* "Automata", a short story by E. T. A. Hoffmann* "Automata", a hardboiled science fiction crime series by Penny Arcade...
. 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.
Music video
The music video was shot, cut and directed by Michael PopeMichael Pope
Michael S. Pope, is an award-winning underground filmmaker and multi-media artist best known as auteur of the feature Film/Event: Neovoxer....
; it features Amanda Palmer as the protagonist of the song who turns to a man who is literally coin-operated (Brian Viglione
Brian Viglione
Brian Viglione is the drummer for The Dresden Dolls. Additionally, he was a prominent member of New York City's cabaret punk orchestra, The WORLD/INFERNO Friendship Society...
) after being disappointed with other relationships. The video has a strong focus on her disillusionment with the coin operated man.
Cultural impact
In AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the song was ranked #12 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004
Triple J Hottest 100, 2004
The 2004 Triple J Hottest 100 was announced on 26 January 2005. It was the twelfth such countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J....
.
In July 2005, the Internet Sketch Comedy Show Moron Life
Moron Life
Moron Life is an independently produced, self funded sketch comedy show shot entirely in San Jose, California, that strives to epitomize the true spirit of local television by serving as a humorous commentary on life and providing a showcase for local comedic and musical talent...
released their parody of "Coin-Operated Boy" entitled "Beer-Activated Girl" to the delight of both Amanda Palmer
Amanda Palmer
Amanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer , sometimes known as Amanda Fucking Palmer, is an American performer who first rose to prominence as the lead singer, pianist, and lyricist/composer of the duo The Dresden Dolls...
and Brian Viglione
Brian Viglione
Brian Viglione is the drummer for The Dresden Dolls. Additionally, he was a prominent member of New York City's cabaret punk orchestra, The WORLD/INFERNO Friendship Society...
. The song was also parodied by Voltaire
Voltaire (musician)
Voltaire , is a popular dark cabaret Cuban-American musician...
in his version "Coin-Operated Goy".
In January 2007 and 2011, "Coin-Operated Boy" was used in a commercial for the Austrian jam brand Darbo.
In 2009, the song was used in an Italian television commercial for the backpack
Backpack
A backpack is, in its simplest form, a cloth sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders, but there can be exceptions...
Double.
It was also featured in The Dresden Dolls Companion
The Dresden Dolls Companion
The Dresden Dolls Companion is a songbook by American musical duo The Dresden Dolls which was released in July 2006. It contains sheet music from the band's debut record, The Dresden Dolls, and insight into the songwriting, song-meanings, and process by which the record was prepared and recorded,...
.
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 AccidentA Is for AccidentA Is for Accident is the debut live album by American dark cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls, a collection of live and studio recordings from 2001–2003, which was released on May 27, 2003 by Important Records. Future pressings were handled by 8 ft. Records and didn't include the bootleg recording...
.) - "Baby One More Time" (Live) - 3:20
Personnel
- Amanda PalmerAmanda PalmerAmanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer , sometimes known as Amanda Fucking Palmer, is an American performer who first rose to prominence as the lead singer, pianist, and lyricist/composer of the duo The Dresden Dolls...
- pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, lyricistLyricistA lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, songwriterSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer... - Brian ViglioneBrian ViglioneBrian Viglione is the drummer for The Dresden Dolls. Additionally, he was a prominent member of New York City's cabaret punk orchestra, The WORLD/INFERNO Friendship Society...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Martin BisiMartin bisiMartin Bisi is an American producer and songwriter.He is known for recording important records by Sonic Youth, Swans, John Zorn, Material, Bill Laswell, Helmet, Unsane, Cop Shoot Cop, White Zombie, Boredoms, Angels of Light and Herbie Hancock's Grammy-winning song Rockit,In 1979, Martin Bisi...
- Memory ManMemory ManMemory Man is the third studio album by Aqualung. The album was released on March 13, 2007 in the U.S.. The first single from the album was "Pressure Suit"...
External links
- The Dresden Dolls official site including lyrics and downloads
- Music Video Director's site including music video