Coin operated boy, sitting on the shelf
He is just a toy but I turn him on and he comes to life
Automatic joy that is why I want
A coin operated boy

Made of plastic and elastic
He is rugged and long lasting
Who could ever ever ask for more?
Love without complications galore

Many shapes and weights to chose from
I will never leave my bedroom
I will never cry at night again
Wrap my arms around him and pretend

Coin operated boy
All the other real ones that I destroy
Cannot hold a candle to my new boy
And I'll never let him go

And I'll never be alone
And I'll never let him go
And I'll never be alone, go
And I'll never be alone, go

And I'll never be alone, go
And I'll never be alone, go
And I'll never be alone
Not with my coin operated boy

This bridge was written to make you feel smitten
And with my sad picture of girl getting bitterer
Oh, can you extract me from my plastic fantasy
I didn't think so but I'm still convincible

Oh will you persist even after I bet you a million dollars
That I'll never love you and will you persist even after I kiss you
Goodbye for the last time will you be trying to prove it, I'm dying
To lose it, I'm losing my confidence

I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it
I want to, I want to, I want to, I want to
I want you, I want you, I want you, I want you
I want a, I want a, I want a, I want a coin operated boy

And if I has a start to wish on for my life
I can't imagine any flesh and blood could be this match
I can even take him in the bath
Coin operated boy, he may not be real experienced with girls

But I know, he feels like a boy should feel, isn't that the point
That is why I want a coin operated boy
With a pretty coin operated voice saying
That he loves me, that he's thinking of me
Straight and to the point that is why
I want a coin operated boy



Lyrics submitted by okokayok

Track duration: 04:46

"Coin-Operated Boy" as written by Amanda Palmer

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Coin-Operated Boy song meanings
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183 Comments

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  • +1
    My Interpretation:Whenever I hear this song I just think of a big life-size dummy that you put coins in, and then he comes to life, and makes her happy whenever she wants him to. Basically she wants to stick with something that isn't real because she's comfortable with it, and doesn't want a real-life relationship because it'll make her feel bad sometimes.
    Flag JustFrickinAshleyon November 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is sooo fucking trippy when you are stoned...
    Flag matt88_07on November 03, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Amanda Palmer has said it's not about a dildo...
    Flag scarymaryon October 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i have neva heard this song on the radio.....its prettycool but i played it way too much in the car.....its nice for when your in the mood to hate boys
    Flag enviousMoonon August 14, 2009   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I'm willing to pretend for a second that the song isn't about a vibrator. Amanda can say what she wants about her intent, but if a girl is looking for a boy to love, it's about how he IS, not about what she WANTS. Otherwise it's not about wanting love, but about wanting a fucking puppet (literally). What's the difference between that and a vibrator? Either way, the song is about a sex toy. Straight and to the point.
    Flag artsluton July 31, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:If you watch the video it is extremely obvious that she isn't just talking about a vibrator. She wants a boy like she describes, "love without complications." The problem is, a boy like this is just fake, and even though she doesn't want to deal with the problems, she wants a real man with real emotions.
    Flag applebritterson July 05, 2009   Link
  • -1
    My Interpretation:I think that she may be talking about a male hooker. She wants a coin-operated boy (she pays him money), love without complications galore (she just want sex without the whole complications). Idk it's what i think
    Flag ihearthamon June 15, 2009   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:dildo
    Flag zombie828on April 05, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:You know, if there happens to be a website that the artist actually posts the true intentions of the song's lyrics on (dresdendolls.com/…), maybe it would be a good idea to CHECK the website before posting nonsense and insulting others' ideas. Christ.
    Flag LadyGrey88on January 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:It's about how men are complicated, and how she has been hurt by men, so she wants a "fake man." One she knows will love her. And one who won't cause her to stress out. This is especially shown by the lines "
    love without complications galore" "i will never cry at night again."

    She also seems to be wanting a real man. But is trying to convince herself that a fake man is better, and that she doesn't want this man who is always hurting her. In the bridge, she starts saying that she wants it but mistakenly starts saying "I want you" the man she is talking about in the bridge, and she becomes angry as she realizes what she is saying, and says she wants a "Coin-operated boy."

    She can't help that she loves this guy. She questions at the end if it is the point that he should feel about her how a boy should feel, yet she claims the doll is "not experienced with girls." Even though there seems to be sex toy innuendos, like the "fuck him in the ass line" (which I've also heard twice in concert, yes, they're AMAZING live) I feel like those are still about the fact that she can do what she wills with the coin-operated boy and will get the result she desires. He's predictable. It's not at all only about a sex toy, because she is constantly describing the toy and not really knowing what to do.
    Flag ElsaTheBloodyon January 08, 2009   Link

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