"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.
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.
The music video was shot, cut and directed by Michael Pope.
In July of 2005, the Internet Sketch Comedy Show Moron Life released their parody of "Coin Operated Boy" entitled content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=46" target="_blank">Beer Activated Girl to the delight of both _Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione.
In the Dresden Dolls Companion, 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.
