All three of the band's albums were released on Johnson's influential Olympia record label, K Records.
Following a hiatus through the early 2000's, The Halo Benders reformed in March 2007 for a pair of shows at the Visual Arts Collective in Boise, ID. The band featured Doug Martsch, Ralf Youtz, Calvin Johnson, and Brett Netson.
The Halo Benders' music is characterised by untraditional sounds, movements, and song structures. Additionally, the vocals of the baritone Johnson and the pitchy Martsch overlap often, even though often entirely unrelated. Johnson has said that the two write lyrics for songs largely independently.
Don't Touch My Bikini
The Halo Benders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can breed me
You can need me
You can read me
You dextreat me
Even better
Make a movie
Mail a letter
You're so groupie Misbehaving Misbehaving
Sock it to me
Double dating
Overstaying
Always waiting
You can break me
You can rave me
You can trade me
You can save me
Overrate me
Celebrating
A new Satan
All the trimmings
Extra sinning
Total fitness
Keep on walking
Need a witness
Keep on talking
Skin is feeling
Getting rotten
Got a feeling
You've really started something
Don't touch my bikini
Better smile when you see me
You can stare
That's a freebie
Don't touch my bikini
Looking is free
But touching's gonna cost you somethin
Getting cranky
Need a spanky
Got no heat or
Extra blankey
Parking meter
Go to heaven
Go to Paris
7-11, Roger Maris
Take a cop car
Take a post card
You're so heavy
You're so honey
Getting ready
Easter bunny
Rocking steady
Making money
Toasting vegans
That's not funny
Skater betty
Way too sexy
You're so on it
You're so honest
You can pull me
You can scold me
All the teachers never told me
Heavy breathing
Hunting season
There's no reason
We can't form a plan
Don't touch my graffiti
Smile if you dare
Oily oinkers everywhere
Keep watching you graffiti
Next time you'll learn
That touching's gonna cost you somethin
You're so nutty
You can aid me
You're my buddy
You can haze me when it's sunny
When it's raining
There's nobody I can turn to
Heavy breathing
Sending meeting
A proceeding
Proper breeding
You can feed me
You can read me
Do you need me
You can trade me
Double date me
Total fitness
Misbehaving
Need a witness
Bake a cookie
You can make me
Get some nookie
You can make me
When the feeling
Overtakes me
There's nobody
Who can break me
Like you break me
When you hate me
Extra crazy on top
The song "Don't Touch My Bikini" by The Halo Benders is a quirky and upbeat tune that, upon first listen, may seem like a nonsensical mash-up of words and phrases. However, delving deeper into the lyrics reveals a commentary on relationships, objectification, and assertiveness. The song's opening lines - "You can feed me, you can breed me, you can need me, you can read me" - set the tone for a relationship where the singer is at the mercy of their partner's desires, but as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is not a passive participant in this dynamic. The repeated refrain of "Don't touch my bikini" serves as a clear boundary that the singer is setting for their partner, asserting their agency and refusing to be objectified.
Throughout the song, there are other indications of the singer's resistance to being controlled or objectified. Lines like "Got a feeling you've really started something" and "There's nobody who can break me like you break me when you hate me" suggest that the singer is not just a passive recipient of their partner's actions but is instead a dynamic force in the relationship. Similarly, while the repeated phrase "Misbehaving" may initially seem like a playful descriptor of the couple's antics, it takes on a more assertive tone when coupled with the line "need a witness," suggesting that the singer is actively seeking validation for their decision to assert boundaries and resist their partner's demands.
Overall, "Don't Touch My Bikini" is a fun and upbeat song that sneakily incorporates elements of assertiveness and resistance to harmful relationship dynamics. By using playful language to convey more serious themes, The Halo Benders create a catchy tune that encourages listeners to examine their own behavior in their relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
You can feed me
I am dependent on you
You can breed me
I exist to reproduce
You can need me
You rely on me to fulfill your desires
You can read me
You can understand me perfectly
You dextreat me
You can treat me any way you want
Even better
In fact, you could treat me even worse
Make a movie
Record our escapades for posterity
Mail a letter
Communicate with me even when we're apart
You're so groupie
You're a devoted fan of mine
Sock it to me
Hit me with your best shot
Double dating
Let's make this a foursome
Overstaying
Stay with me for as long as you want
Always waiting
I'll be here whenever you need me
You can break me
You have the power to hurt me deeply
You can rave me
You can praise me to the high heavens
You can trade me
You can exchange me for something else
You can save me
You can rescue me from danger
Overrate me
You think more highly of me than I deserve
Celebrating
We're having a party
A new Satan
A devilish figure has emerged on the scene
All the trimmings
We're going all out for this
Extra sinning
We're indulging in immoral behavior
Total fitness
We're in great shape
Keep on walking
Don't stop moving forward
Need a witness
I need someone to vouch for me
Keep on talking
Keep up the conversation
Skin is feeling
I sense something is wrong
Getting rotten
I'm turning bad
Got a feeling
I'm certain of something
You've really started something
You've provoked me
Don't touch my bikini
Stay away from my personal belongings
Better smile when you see me
Show me respect
You can stare
Look at me all you want
That's a freebie
I don't mind being looked at
Looking is free
Just don't touch
But touching's gonna cost you somethin
There will be consequences if you cross the line
Getting cranky
I'm getting upset
Need a spanky
I require discipline
Got no heat or
I'm feeling cold and neglected
Extra blankey
I need more warmth
Parking meter
We need to keep track of time
Go to heaven
We're experiencing pure bliss
Go to Paris
Let's escape to a romantic city
7-11, Roger Maris
Random images in my mind
Take a cop car
Let's go on a wild adventure
Take a post card
Send me a message from afar
You're so heavy
You're a burden on me
You're so honey
You're so sweet and desirable
Getting ready
Preparing myself for something
Easter bunny
A playful reference to a holiday symbol
Rocking steady
We're confident and in control
Making money
We're finding financial success
Toasting vegans
A lighthearted reference to a trendy diet
That's not funny
I'm not amused by your jokes
Skater betty
A cool and confident girl
Way too sexy
I'm exuding irresistible charm
You're so on it
You're fully engaged and focused
You're so honest
You're trustworthy and truthful
You can pull me
You can lead me in any direction
You can scold me
You can criticize and correct me
All the teachers never told me
There's so much I still have to learn
Heavy breathing
I'm feeling intense emotions
Hunting season
We're on the prowl for something
There's no reason
We don't know why we're doing this
We can't form a plan
We're struggling to come up with a strategy
Don't touch my graffiti
Leave my artistic expression alone
Smile if you dare
Be careful with your amusement
Oily oinkers everywhere
A cynical view of the world around us
Keep watching you graffiti
I will continue to create despite resistance
Next time you'll learn
There will be consequences if you disrespect me again
You're so nutty
You're eccentric and unpredictable
You can aid me
You can assist me in achieving my goals
You're my buddy
You're my friend and ally
You can haze me when it's sunny
We can enjoy playful teasing when things are going well
When it's raining
When things are tough and gloomy
There's nobody I can turn to
I'm feeling lost and alone
Sending meeting
I'm sending out signals
A proceeding
We're taking steps forward
Proper breeding
Acting in a respectable and dignified manner
Bake a cookie
Let's enjoy the simple pleasures in life
Get some nookie
Let's indulge in sexual pleasure
When the feeling
When the passion is too strong to ignore
Overtakes me
I am overwhelmed by my desire
There's nobody
I'm alone and unsupported
Who can break me
No one has the power to defeat me
Like you break me
You have the ability to hurt me deeply
When you hate me
When you're feeling angry and resentful towards me
Extra crazy on top
Taking things to the extreme
Contributed by Abigail P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.