Nickelodeon
Circus Contraption Lyrics


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Drop a nickel in
Give me a whirl
Turn my crank
I'm your kind of girl

You'll want to catch my number
Again and again
I'm your Nickelodeon

Peek behind the curtain
Get a surprise
I'll sing you a lullaby
To pull you inside

Grab the brass ring
I'll give you a thrill
I'm your Nickelodeon

So, c'mon, Big Daddy
Don't make me feel bad
Are you listening
I'm ringing your bell

A tabernacle choir
In a 4 alarm fire
I know you wanna
It's easy to tell

So, step right up
And have no fear
I'll whisper sweet nothings
Into your ear

Your nightly addiction




Your forbidden sin
I'm your Nickelodeon

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Circus Contraption's song Nickelodeon are a playful, yet subversive commentary on the dynamics between performers and audiences in the world of entertainment. The opening lines "Drop a nickel in, give me a whirl, turn my crank, I'm your kind of girl" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the commodification of performers, as they are reduced to mere objects that are inserted into a machine for the pleasure of others. The performer is aware of this dynamic but embraces it, using language like "I'm your kind of girl" to encourage the audience to objectify her.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the performer is not simply a passive object but an active participant in this dynamic. She offers a tantalizing promise of secrets and surprises behind the curtain, luring the audience in with the promise of a lullaby. The performer acknowledges that this is all a game, referring to herself as a Nickelodeon and encouraging the audience to "grab the brass ring" for a thrill.


The final lines of the song are the most intriguing, as the performer directly addresses the audience with the line "Your nightly addiction, your forbidden sin, I'm your Nickelodeon." This suggests that the performer understands the addictive quality of entertainment and the illicit thrill that comes with indulging in it. By framing herself as a forbidden sin, she is challenging the audience to question their own desires and motivations for seeking out entertainment.


Overall, the lyrics to Nickelodeon are a thought-provoking exploration of the power dynamics present in the world of entertainment, and the ways in which performers and audiences are complicit in perpetuating these dynamics. Through playful language and subversive imagery, the song encourages listeners to reflect on their own relationship with entertainment and the ways in which they participate in its commodification of performers.


Line by Line Meaning

Drop a nickel in
Put a coin in the machine to activate it


Give me a whirl
Activate the machine and see what happens


Turn my crank
Use the machine's lever to start the show


I'm your kind of girl
I'm what you're looking for


You'll want to catch my number
You'll want to experience my show again and again


Again and again
Repeatedly


I'm your Nickelodeon
I'm the type of entertainment that you want


Peek behind the curtain
Take a look at what's happening backstage


Get a surprise
Be amazed by what you see


I'll sing you a lullaby
I'll use my voice to draw you in


To pull you inside
To get you invested in the show


Grab the brass ring
Take advantage of an opportunity


I'll give you a thrill
I'll entertain you and make you happy


So, c'mon, Big Daddy
Addressing an audience member as an authority figure


Don't make me feel bad
Don't disappoint me


Are you listening
Are you paying attention


I'm ringing your bell
I'm grabbing your attention


A tabernacle choir
A highly skilled and talented group


In a 4 alarm fire
In an intense and highly-charged situation


I know you wanna
I know you're interested


It's easy to tell
It's obvious


So, step right up
Come closer and experience the show


And have no fear
Don't be afraid


I'll whisper sweet nothings
I'll say things that you want to hear


Into your ear
Directly to you


Your nightly addiction
A nightly routine that you can't resist


Your forbidden sin
Something that you shouldn't be doing, but can't resist


I'm your Nickelodeon
I'm the type of entertainment that you crave




Contributed by Owen I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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