Two Beds And A Coffee Machine

Album: Affirmation (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a woman who is trapped in an abusive relationship. To protect herself and the kids, she often runs away and spends the night at cheap hotels with two beds and a coffee machine. She knows there will be bills, that she can't survive on her own and eventually she will have to go back home. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Nikki - Melbourne, Australia
  • Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes tapped into his childhood experiences of domestic violence to write this track from Affirmation, the Australian pop duo's second studio album. He told Official Songs the song is "about an alcoholic, wife-beating dad and how me and my mum traveled from motel to motel with me with a black eye." Writing their own music, Savage Garden was an anomaly among the manufactured boy bands and girl groups that dominated the pop music scene of the mid-'90s. Hayes recalled: "This was coming out in a period when Spice Girls, NSync and MTV's TRL were huge. I'm proud that in the midst of it all – manufactured and often contrived pop music – we were allowed to write songs like that which were wise beyond our years."
  • Affirmation sold 3 million copies in the US, where it peaked at #6 on the albums chart. Uncomfortable with the level of fame brought on by two hit albums and a pair of chart-topping singles ("Truly Madly Deeply" and "I Knew I Loved You") Hayes' bandmate, Daniel Jones, officially left the group after their world tour. He eventually opened his own production company while Hayes pursued a solo career.

Comments: 1

  • Ioana from Bucharest, RomaniaThe song is about Darren's childhood. The woman is his mother, and he's the baby. I find it extraordinary sincere and feel like crying everytime I listen to it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.