"Lunchbox" is the second single from Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...

's debut album, Portrait of an American Family

Portrait of an American Family

Portrait of an American Family is the debut full-length studio album by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on July 19, 1994 in the US through Nothing and Interscope Records. It was produced by the band's frontman and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails...

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In the credits of CD booklet from the Portrait of an American Family

Portrait of an American Family

Portrait of an American Family is the debut full-length studio album by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on July 19, 1994 in the US through Nothing and Interscope Records. It was produced by the band's frontman and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails...

album, Lunchbox contains elements from the song "Fire" by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown is a psychedelic rock album by Arthur Brown and his band The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, released in 1968. Considered a classic of the late-1960s psychedelic scene and a significant influence on progressive rock, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown includes covers of...

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Inspired by a piece of legislation dating back to 1972, which makes it illegal to have metal lunchboxes in schools due to children using their own lunchboxes as weapons, the song references Manson as a youngster who is pushed around by bullies; waiting for the day he can "grow up to be a big rock & roll star". Manson has stated that the song was inspired by the story of one of his heroes, Nikki Sixx

Nikki Sixx

Nikki Sixx is an American musician, songwriter, author, fashion designer, radio host, and photographer, best known as the co-founder and bassist of the band Mötley Crüe. Prior to forming Mötley Crüe, Sixx was a member of Sister before going on to form London with his Sister band mate Lizzie Grey...

 of Mötley Crüe

Mötley Crüe

Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...

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The "Highschool Drop-outs" version is an edit of the album version which removes the profanity

Profanity

Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...

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A music video was also made for the song, directed by Richard Kern

Richard Kern

Richard Kern is a New York underground filmmaker, writer and photographer. He first came to underground prominence as part of the underground cultural explosion in the East Village of New York City in the 1980s, with erotic and experimental films featuring underground personalities of the time...

. This music video is one of three that displays Manson without makeup. It features the band playing in a skating rink, intertwined with footage of a boy being picked on by other kids until he snaps and becomes a rebel, cutting his hair and dreaming of being a rock star. The boy takes his lunchbox to the skating rink in the end of the video and gives it to Manson, who proceeds to light it on fire.

Formats and track listings

U.S. CD single

1. "Lunchbox" - 4:34
2. "Next Motherfucker" (Remix) - 4:48
3. "Down in the Park
   Down in the Park
   "Down in the Park" is a 1979 single written and recorded by Gary Numan with his band Tubeway Army. The first cut from the album Replicas, it was not a hit when released but has long been a critical and fan favourite and for many years was described by Numan as his best composition.-Style:Like the...
   
   " (Gary Numan
   Gary Numan
   Gary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
   
    cover) - 5:01
4. "Brown Bag" (Remix) - 6:19
5. "Metal" (Remix) - 5:25
6. "Lunchbox" (Highschool Drop-outs) - 4:35

U.S. promotional CD single

1. "Lunchbox" (High School Dropouts) - 4:39
2. "Lunchbox" - 4:34
3. "Down in the Park
   Down in the Park
   "Down in the Park" is a 1979 single written and recorded by Gary Numan with his band Tubeway Army. The first cut from the album Replicas, it was not a hit when released but has long been a critical and fan favourite and for many years was described by Numan as his best composition.-Style:Like the...
   
   " - 5:01