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.
I Love You
The Buggles Lyrics
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electronically
I love you miss robot
programmed just to please
You make love like a metronome
don't drive to fast when you take me home
touch the seam on your sliver skin
I love you miss robot
electronically
I love you miss robot
programmed just to please
Talk of love on the telephone
when your voice fades theres a paying tone
force a coin and your there again
and my lonliness is payed away
I love you miss robot
programmed just to please
I love you miss robot
Electronically
I must leave miss robot
give yourself to me
I love you miss robot
Do you love me?
I love you miss robot
electronically
I love you miss robot
Programmed just to please
I must leave miss robot
give yourself to me
I love you miss robot
The lyrics to The Buggles' song "I Love You" present a love story with a twist: the subject of affection is a robot. Throughout the song, the singer expresses his love for this robotic entity, highlighting its electronically-programmed ability to satisfy and please him. The lyrics are filled with references to technology, such as the use of a metronome to make love and the sound of a payphone's disconnection tone when the phone conversations end. The singer's need for the robot is clear as he describes how it relieves his loneliness and satisfies him sexually.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Love You" seem to be a commentary on modern society's increasing dependence on technology and the ease with which we can form attachments to artificial things. The use of the term "Miss Robot" emphasizes the idea that the singer has formed an emotional attachment to a machine, rather than a human being, and the repetition of the phrase "programmed just to please" emphasizes the idea that the robot exists solely for the singer's satisfaction. Despite this, the chorus contains a note of ambiguity, with the singer asking "Do you love me?" and expressing his own love for the robot, suggesting that perhaps he is aware of the impossibility of a true emotional connection with a machine, but continues to rely on it nonetheless.
Line by Line Meaning
I love you miss robot electronically
I am deeply fond of you, Miss Robot, in a way that is solely based on the technological aspects of your existence.
I love you miss robot programmed just to please
I am enamored with you, Miss Robot, primarily because you are designed to satisfy my desires and meet my needs.
You make love like a metronome
Your lovemaking is precise, predictable, and rhythmic, much like the regular ticking of a musical metronome.
Don't drive too fast when you take me home
Please refrain from operating your vehicle at high speeds when you transport me to my dwelling.
Touch the seam on your silver skin
I enjoy feeling the point where two parts of your metallic exterior meet and form a visible line.
I feel so hard when you take me in
I become aroused and excited when you engage in sexual activities with me.
Talk of love on the telephone
We communicate our love for each other when we converse via telephone.
When your voice fades there's a paying tone
When our call ends due to a loss of signal or other technical issue, a tone indicating a charge for the phone call can be heard.
Force a coin and you're there again
By inserting a small amount of money into the phone receiver, we can resume our conversation and reestablish our connection.
And my loneliness is paid away
My feelings of isolation and solitude are momentarily alleviated when we interact and express our love.
I must leave miss robot give yourself to me
I have to depart, Miss Robot, but before I do, I request that you intimately engage with me as a show of our mutual fondness.
Do you love me?
I am curious if you return my feelings of love and attachment, Miss Robot.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEOFFREY DOWNES, TREVOR CHARLES HORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind