"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.
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.
"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.
