"Polyester Girl" is a song by Australian rock bandRegurgitator. The song was released in May 1998 as the third single from the band's second studio albumUnit. "Polyester Girl" peaked at No. 14 in Australia and No. 16 in New Zealand. It was ranked No. 26 onTriple J's Hottest 100 in 1998.[2]
The release of "Polyester Girl" has been described as the peak of Regurgitator's career; it was their highest selling single and has been credited with helping the albumUnit reach sales of over 240,000.[3] The song was a radio hit in Australia, withAllmusic describing it as one of the highlights from the album.[4] "Polyester Girl" has been called a "socially challenging" song,[5] and has also been described as Regurgitator's "anti-commercialism anthem".[6] When questioned if he would have done anything different on the albumUnit, Regurgitator frontmanQuan Yeomans cited Polyester Girl, stating "it's one of those throwaway things that was done so quickly and so sillily. Maybe I would do that again, but then that's the most successful track we've ever released." Drums and keyboards heard in the song were synthesised using aRoland MC-303.[7][8] "Polyester Girl" is said to be about a man "pledgingfidelity to asex doll." A "romantic trauma" occurs when the product breaks and has to be sent away for repairs.[9]
The music video was created by Jeremy Hyndes and George Pinn.[10] It was entirelydigitally animated, withRip It Up considering it to have "Nintendo 64" quality graphics.[11] It features a chrome silver female with large breasts and an exaggerated hourglass figure dancing, at times synchronised with two identical figures. Dancing footage is intercut with advertisements to purchase one of the dancing figures, termed a "Polyester Girl". Described in the video as an "All Amazing PETCOM", the Polyester Girl is advertised as being mentally active, being made from elasto-plastic and featuring ionic suspension. The ability to customise a Polyester Girl's facial features, hair and wardrobe are shown, and viewers are encouraged to purchase a 'hover' nail file for their product. The music video was nominated forBest Video at the1998 ARIA Music Awards.[10]
