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.
Astroboy
The Buggles Lyrics
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Who talk to you in paris of their lonely lives
School days and last days out there in the midwest
They climb on their liners and rejoin their wives
Walking down boulevards electric eyes
Would gaze at the waveforms and gasp at their size
Let them be lonely and say you don't care
Astro boy, i'm watching the proles on parade
Astro boy, i'm watching the proles on parade
Una with long hair will stand by your side
And the friends who were hungry could swallow your pride
Chromium pets that video screens would show
Pictures of helplessness old kings and queens
Radio stations that fade as in dust
All their transmitters are crumbling with rust
Let them be broken and say you don't care
Astro boy, i'm watching the proles on parade
Astro boy, i'm watching the proles on parade
Astro boy, i'm watching the proles on parade
Let them be broken and say you don't care
Astro boy, i'm watching the proles on parade
The Buggles' song "Astroboy" speaks of the detachment and isolation that can be felt in a society that is heavily influenced by technology, media and consumerism. The song suggests that people have become so focused on their own needs and desires that they have disconnected from their fellow human beings. The opening lines refer to Americans who are living in a foreign country and are lonely despite being surrounded by people, indicating that one can feel isolated even in a place bustling with activity.
The song also discusses the role of technology and media in modern society. The lyrics refer to "chromium pets" and "video screens" that display images of "helplessness old kings and queens." The song suggests that these images are meant to keep people feeling powerless and disconnected from each other. The "proles on parade" referred to in the chorus are the masses of people who are being manipulated by these images and are not aware of the forces that are controlling their world.
In the end, the song seems to be a call to action, urging people to reject this disconnected way of life and to choose instead to connect with others and to care about their fellow human beings.
Line by Line Meaning
All of those wild american bilinguals
Referring to people who are both fluent in English and another language and who are living recklessly and freely in Paris.
Who talk to you in paris of their lonely lives
These people in Paris speak to the person in the song about their isolated and unhappy existence.
School days and last days out there in the midwest
Describing days of yore when the singer and others were still schoolchildren in the Midwest before journeying out into the wider world.
They climb on their liners and rejoin their wives
After spending time living maverick lives abroad, these individuals return to America and their spouses.
Walking down boulevards electric eyes
The singer enjoys taking a stroll down vibrant, illuminated streets and observing his surroundings.
Would gaze at the waveforms and gasp at their size
The singer is using a metaphorical language to describe the people who are in awe of the flashy electronic displays found in the city.
Let them be lonely and say you don't care
The singer advises that one should let these people be miserable and not feel obligated to care about their lives.
Astro boy, i'm watching the proles on parade
The singer assumes the identity of Astro Boy, a beloved Japanese anime character, and declares that he is observing ordinary people as they go about their mundane lives. 'Proles' is a reference to the proletariat, or the working class.
Una with long hair will stand by your side
This line is somewhat enigmatic, but it seems to refer to a woman named Una who has long hair and will support the singer. 'Una' is also Spanish for 'one,' which may play into the song's themes of loneliness and feeling isolated from others.
And the friends who were hungry could swallow your pride
The line implies that the singer would do anything to help his friends who are struggling to make ends meet, even if it were personally humiliating.
Chromium pets that video screens would show
The song describes futuristic, metallic pets (possibly robots) that are seen on video screens.
Pictures of helplessness old kings and queens
The video screens also display images of helpless and powerless old royals.
Radio stations that fade as in dust
The radio stations gradually lose their power and fade away, like old and decrepit things disintegrating in the dust.
All their transmitters are crumbling with rust
The equipment used to run the radio stations is all corroded and useless, having fallen into disrepair.
Astro boy, i'm watching the proles on parade
The singer reiterates that he is observing ordinary working-class people as they go about their lives.
Let them be broken and say you don't care
The singer repeats his earlier advice, suggesting that it's alright to let these people go through life feeling despondent and not feel guilty about it.
Astro boy, i'm watching the proles on parade
The song ends with a repetition of the phrase that serves as a kind of catchy refrain throughout, once again asserting the artist's detached interest in the everyday lives of ordinary people.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEOFFREY DOWNES, TREVOR CHARLES HORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind