The Buggles' sound was characterised by a deliberately synthetic quality in keeping with the technological subject matter of their songs. The group had a smash hit with the first single from their debut album The Age of Plastic. Song Video Killed The Radio star famously provided the 1st music video ever played on MTV (on August 1, 1981).
The novelty value of their most popular song has led to the Buggles being perceived as being a one-hit-wonder. They did release three further singles, but none came close to emulating the success of their debut track. Specifically, "The Age of Plastic" reached #16 in the UK, "Clean Clean" stalled at #38, and "Elstree" failed to enter the top 40. Still, they've been well received by the later cult audience of new wave revival devotees.
After joining progressive rock group Yes for their 1980 Drama album and tour and then recording the second Buggles album Adventures in Modern Recording, in 1981, The Buggles members parted ways to explore other projects. Horn has been a highly successful record producer (working with ABC's The Look of Love, Yes' Owner of a Lonely Heart, Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Relax, Rod Stewart's Down Town Train, Pet Shop Boys' Always On My Mind, Seal's Kiss From A Rose, LeAnne Rimes' Can't Fight The Moonlight and many more) while Downes has served as a key member of the supergroup Asia. Both of them have revisited their Buggles material to enthusiastic audiences.
Video Killed the Radio Star
The Buggles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lying awake intent at tuning in on you
If I was young it didn't stop you coming through
(Oh-a-oh)
They took the credit for your second symphony
Rewritten by machine on new technology
And now I understand the problems you can see
(Oh-a-oh)
I met your children
(Oh, a, oh)
What did you tell them?
(Video killed the radio star)
(Video killed the radio star)
Pictures came and broke your heart
(Oh-a-a-a-oh)
And now we meet in an abandoned studio
We hear the playback and it seems so long ago
And you remember the jingles used to go
(Oh-a-oh)
You were the first one
(Oh-a-oh)
You were the last one
(Video killed the radio star)
(Video killed the radio star)
In my mind and in my car
We can't rewind we've gone too far
(Oh-a-a-a-oh)
(Oh-a-a-a-oh)
(Video killed the radio star)
(Video killed the radio star)
In my mind and in my car
We can't rewind we've gone too far
Pictures came and broke your heart
Put the blame on VCR
You are a radio star
You are a radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
(You are a radio star) video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
(You are a radio star) video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
(You are a radio star) video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
(Oh-a-oh, oh-a-oh)
(Oh-a-oh, oh-a-oh)
(Oh-a-oh, oh-a-oh)
(Oh-a-oh)
The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" is a nostalgic pop song that highlights the transition from the traditional medium of radio to the visual medium of television by evoking the sentiment of lost love. The lyrics begin by alluding to the singer's memories of lying awake at night listening to their favorite radio station. Despite the passage of time, the melody and lyrics of the song remain fresh in their minds. The singer then praises the musician, highlighting their contributions to music, particularly their second symphony. However, their work has been overwritten by new technology, a machine. The chorus drives home the song's central theme by stating bluntly that video has taken over the radio's once-dominant power. The singer then meets with the musician in an abandoned studio where they listen to an old recording and reminisce about how the jingles used to go.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, a, oh
Vocalization without specific meaning
I heard you on the wireless back in fifty two
I listened to you on the radio in 1952
Lying awake intent at tuning in on you
I was attentively listening to you, even when I should have been sleeping
If I was young it didn't stop you coming through
Your music was able to reach me despite my age
They took the credit for your second symphony
Someone else was credited for your work
Rewritten by machine on new technology
Your work was changed by a machine using new methods
And now I understand the problems you can see
I see the issues you faced and were trying to communicate through your music
I met your children
I met your offspring
What did you tell them?
What did you communicate to them?
Pictures came and broke your heart
Visual media caused you emotional pain
And now we meet in an abandoned studio (ohh)
We now meet in an empty recording space
We hear the playback and it seems so long ago
Listening to our past recordings feels like it was a distant memory
And you remember the jingles used to go (ahh)
You recall the catchy tunes we used to create
You were the first one
You were the pioneer
You were the last one
You were the final one to receive attention
In my mind and in my car
I am constantly thinking about it and playing it in my car
We can't rewind we've gone too far
We are unable to go back and change things, it's too late
Pictures came and broke your heart
Visual media caused you emotional pain
Put the blame on VCR
Blame the VCR for causing the decline of the radio star
You are a radio star (oh, a, oh)
You are a successful figure in the radio industry
Video killed the radio star
The rise of video caused the decline of the radio star
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Geoffrey Downes, Trevor Charles Horn, Bruce Woolley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind