Video Killed the Radio Star
Erasure Lyrics
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Lying awake intent on 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 and new technology
And now I understand the problems you can see
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 to 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 to 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
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
The lyrics of Erasure’s “Star” is a tribute to a radio era that has been overthrown by new technological advancements. Set in the early 1950s, the song speaks of the artist’s experience of hearing a radio program over the wireless. Despite their young age, the music coming through the wireless spoke to them. The lyrics mention “If I was young it didn’t stop you coming through”. The second verse of the song is a tribute to the artist’s appreciation for the pioneers of their time. They mention an artist’s second symphony that were taken from them by new technology. The songwriter empathizes with the struggles that era was experiencing; the struggle to adapt to the new wave of music technology. The song then switches to present day, where the artist meets with a band in an abandoned studio. The lyrics express an appreciation for the music of the past and showcase how time has flown past. The chorus of the song “Video killed the radio star” is a nod to the way music technology and videography have taken over radio.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard you on the wireless back in '52
I remember listening to you on the radio in 1952
Lying awake intent on tuning in on you
I was so focused on listening to you that I couldn't fall asleep
If I was young it didn't stop you coming through
Even though I was young at the time, I still received your message loud and clear
They took the credit for your second symphony
Somebody else took credit for your second symphony
Rewritten by machine and new technology
Your second symphony was modified and produced using new technology
And now I understand the problems you can see
I now see the issues you were warning us about in your music
I met your children
I had the pleasure of meeting your offspring
What did you tell them?
I'm curious to know what words of wisdom you imparted on your children
Video killed the radio star
Television took over and rendered radio irrelevant
Pictures came and broke your heart
The influx of visual media (like television) disappointed you
And now we meet in an abandoned studio
We're meeting again in a neglected recording studio
We hear the playback and it seems so long ago
We listen to our old tracks, and it feels like it's been ages since we recorded them
And you remember the jingles used to go
You recall how the catchy tunes used to sound
You were the first one
You initiated this genre/art form
You were the last one
You were the final performer in your class
In my mind and in my car
I can't seem to forget you even while driving
We can't rewind we've gone to far
We've come too far to turn back the clock
Put the blame on VCR
The blame for the decline of radio can be put on the rise of video recording technology
You are a radio star
You're still incredibly talented and recognized for your work despite shifts in technology
Video killed the radio star
Television destroyed the radio star's spotlight
Video killed the radio star
Television caused the end of radio's reign
Video killed the radio star
Television robbed the radio star of fame
Video killed the radio star
Television was responsible for the decline of the radio industry
Video killed the radio star
Television created a new media form that eradicated the influence of radio
Video killed the radio star
Television essentially replaced radio and took over its audience
Video killed the radio star
Television fundamentally caused the downfall of radio
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