Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones

"Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" is the second single from the album Tyrannosaurus Hives by The Hives. Released as an Enhanced CD with B-side tracks in 2005, "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" was considered a hit for The Hives,^[1][2] and appeared on several compilations.

"Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones"
Single by The Hives
from the album Tyrannosaurus Hives
Released	4 January 2005
Recorded	2004
Genre	Garage punk, garage rock
Length	2:00
Label	Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Fitzsimmons, Randy
The Hives singles chronology
"Walk Idiot Walk" (2004) "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" (2005) "Abra Cadaver" (2004)

Background

The guitar riff for "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" is borrowed from a song by The Monkees 1966 hit "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone",^[3] which was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.^[4] The chord sequence, which has been described as being jerky and monotonous by Marc Spitz of Spin magazine,^[3] is similar to the song "Kicks" by Paul Revere & the Raiders.^[5] "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" has also been said to sound like Devo,^[6] and embraces the "garage rock" sound.^[3]

Other than appearing on the album, it was released on 4 January 2005,^[7] as a 7" single and Enhanced CD along with the songs "Born To Cry" and "Little Lil",^[8] both of which did not appear on Tyrannosaurus Hives.^[7] "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" was included on the soundtracks of a couple video games, namely the Madden NFL 2005^[9] and the MotoGP '06 soundtracks, as well as on several other compilations.

A video for "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" was made,^[8] and it was included on the single in QuickTime format.^[10]

The Hives also went on tour during the winter of 2004 in order to promote "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" and the release of Tyrannosaurus Hives.^[11] The song is generally considered an enjoyable moment in their live performances,^[12] where Almqvist's stage antics are found particularly entertaining.^[13] "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" remains a favorite among fans.^[14]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]

"Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" reached number 44 on the UK "Top 75" charts, during the week of 30 October 2004.^[15] The music video debuted on MTV Europe's Top 20 list on 4 December 2004 at number 19.^[16] It peaked at number 16 on 18 December 2004, and remained on the charts for 4 weeks, departing on 8 January 2005.^[17]

Reviews among critics were mixed; James Snodgrass of NME said "'Two-timing touch and broken bones' might as well be 'too dumb, and Dutch, and broken bones'.^[18] Heather Phares of AllMusic liked the speed of the song in comparison with those it was structurally built from, saying that it "cut(s) right to the chase".^[5] It has also been said to be a straightforward song which embodies The Hives' sound,^[19] and one of the highlights of Tyrannosaurus Hives.^[6]

Track list

Enhanced CD

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones"	2:00
2.	"Born to Cry"	2:18
3.	"Little Lil"	2:17
4.	"Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" (music video)	-
Total length:		6:35

7" vinyl

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones"	2:00
2.	"Born to Cry"	2:18
Total length:		4:18

Information on Enhanced CD track listing.^[7]

Information on 7" track listing.^[20]

Chart performance

Chart (2004)	Peak position
UK Top 75 Charts	44[8]
MTV Europe (music video)	16[21]

Personnel

• Howlin' Pelle Almqvist (Per Almqvist) – lead vocals
• Nicholaus Arson (Niklas Almqvist) – guitar
• Vigilante Carlstroem (Mikael Karlsson) – guitar
• Dr. Matt Destruction (Mattias Bernvall) – bass guitar
• Chris Dangerous (Christian Grahn) – drums
• Michael Ilbert – mixing
• Pelle Gunnerfeldt – production

Appearances

• Promo Only: Modern Rock Radio (2004)
• Tyrannosaurus Hives (2004)
• Absolute Rock in the UK (2005)
• Two Timing Touch and Broken Bones (2005)
• Madden NFL 2005 Soundtrack (2005)
• MotoGP Soundtrack (2006)
• Punk Rock (Universal) (2006)
• Big...in UK (2007)

Information on appearances.^[22]