Two of the band's singles reached the U.S. top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100: "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" and "Brand New Lover".
"You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" peaked at number one for two weeks in 1985 in the UK, then charted again in 2006 following Burns' appearance on the television reality show Celebrity Big Brother and on season 4 of Stranger Things. It also became the first of two singles to top the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In December 2016, Billboard ranked them as the 96th most successful "dance artist" of all time. The band was discontinued following Pete Burns' death in 2016.
I Wanna Be A Toy
Dead or Alive Lyrics
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Push, shove
Don't you push, don't you shove
Don't you push, don't you shove
My daddy would go crazy
If he knew what his baby
Was spendin' his life doin'
He would cut out on the double
At the lifestyle I'm pursuin'
I wanna be a toy
I can't be treated
Like no ordinary boy
I wanna be a toy
I can't be treated
Like any other boy that you see
Oh it's really no use cryin'
When there's people out there lyin'
Sayin' awful things about me
I gotta bite my bottom lip
And clench my fist
Because a plaything's what I must be
I wanna be a toy
I can't be treated
Like no ordinary boy
I wanna be a toy
I can't be treated
Like any other boy that you see
Push, shove
Push, push, shove
Push, push, shove, shove
Push, shove
Push, push, shove, shove
Push, push, shove, shove
Push, push, shove
Push, shove, shove
Rock it! Rock it! YEAH
My daddy would go crazy
If he knew what his baby
Was spendin' his life doin'
Well its really no use cryin'
When there's people out there lyin'
Speculatin' what I'm doin'
I wanna be a toy
I can't be treated
Like no ordinary boy
I wanna be a toy
I can't be treated
Like any other boy that you see
I wanna be a toy
I can't be treated
Like no ordinary boy
No
The lyrics to Dead or Alive's "I Wanna Be A Toy" are a commentary on the pressure that individuals might feel to conform to societal norms, and the idea of being objectified or treated merely as a plaything. The song begins with a repetition of the lines "Push, shove / Don't you push, don't you shove," which suggests a sense of conflict or tension between the desires of the individual and the expectations of those around them. The second verse references the potential disapproval of a parent, especially in regard to the lifestyle choices that the singer is making.
The chorus repeatedly declares the desire to be treated like a toy, rather than an ordinary boy. This can be interpreted in a number of different ways; it might suggest a desire to be seen as something special or unique, or a willingness to be objectified in order to achieve some kind of desired outcome. Regardless of the exact interpretation, the overall tone of the song suggests a sense of defiance and an unwillingness to conform to societal expectations. The repeated use of the lines "Push, shove" throughout the song serves to reinforce this theme of conflict and defiance.
Overall, "I Wanna Be A Toy" is a fiercely independent song that celebrates individuality and rejects societal norms. It is a powerful statement about the pressure that individuals face to conform, and the struggle that they must endure to maintain their sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
Push, shove
Repetitive urging to make the push and shove. The tone of the lyrics is set with this repetitive sentence.
Push, shove
Repeating the same lyrics to reinforce and heighten the sense of urgency.
Don't you push, don't you shove
An assertive statement of not accepting any physical aggression towards the singer.
Don't you push, don't you shove
Repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
My daddy would go crazy
The artist acknowledges that their actions would not be approved of by their father.
If he knew what his baby
The singer uses a childish term 'baby' to further express how their father views them.
Was spending his life doin'
The singer recognizes their unconventional lifestyle and the impact it would have on their father.
I know I'd be in trouble
The artist is aware that there would be consequences for their actions.
He would cut out on the double
The artist believes that their father would immediately distance himself from them.
At the lifestyle I'm pursuin'
The artist acknowledges their chosen path in life and the potential repercussions of it.
I wanna be a toy
The singer craves to be objectified and toyed with, rather than being an ordinary person.
I can't be treated
The artist desires to be treated as an object, rather than a person.
Like no ordinary boy
The singer desires to be treated in a way that is not typical or mainstream.
I wanna be a toy
Repetition for emphasis, of the singer's desire to be objectified.
I can't be treated
Repetition for emphasis, of the singer's desire to be objectified.
Like any other boy that you see
The artist desires to be unique and stand out from the crowd.
Oh it's really no use cryin'
The artist recognizes that crying is futile.
When there's people out there lyin'
The singer acknowledges that their situation is being misrepresented by others.
Sayin' awful things about me
The singer is being attacked and insulted by others.
I gotta bite my bottom lip
The artist needs to hold back their emotions and not react to negative comments.
And clench my fist
The artist is physically restraining themselves to avoid responding to negativity with aggression.
Because a plaything's what I must be
The artist acknowledges their desire to be objectified, despite the negative treatment that may come with it.
Push, shove
Repetition for emphasis, to further set the tone of the song.
Push, push, shove
Further escalation of the push and shove, creating a sense of chaos.
Push, push, shove, shove
Repeating and increasing the intensity of the physical altercation.
Push, shove
Repeating the opening lyrics for consistency in the song's structure.
Push, push, shove, shove
Further repetition for an increased sense of urgency and chaos.
Push, push, shove
Shortening the repetition to increase the speed and intensity of the lyrics.
Push, shove, shove
Changing the structure slightly to add variation and create a sense of crescendo.
Rock it! Rock it! YEAH
Changing the tone of the song to something more positive, with an encouraging statement to 'rock it'.
Speculatin' what I'm doin'
The singer is being subjected to rumours about their actions.
No
A final, definitive statement to end the song and convey the artist's desires being set in stone.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL DAVID PERCY, PETER JOZZEPI BURNS, STEPHEN COY, TIM LEVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind