Video Killed the Radio Star

Buggles

About Video Killed the Radio Star

"Video Killed the Radio Star" is a song written by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley in 1978. It was first recorded by "Bruce Woolley and The Camera Club" (with Thomas Dolby on keyboards) for their album English Garden, and later by British new wave/synth-pop group the Buggles, consisting of Horn and Downes. The track was recorded and mixed in 1979, released as their debut single on 7 September 1979 by Island Records, and included on their first album The Age of Plastic. The backing track was recorded at Virgin's Town House in West London, and mixing and vocal recording would later take place at Sarm East Studios. The song relates to concerns about mixed attitudes towards 20th-century inventions and machines for the media arts. Musically, the song performs like an extended jingle and the composition plays in the key of D-flat major in common time at a tempo of 132 beats per minute. The track has been positively received, with reviewers praising its unusual musical pop elements. Although the song includes several common pop characteristics and six basic chords are used in its structure, Downes and writer Timothy Warner described the piece as musically complicated, due to its use of suspended and minor ninth chords for enhancement that gave the song a "slightly different feel." 


Year:
1993
3:20
77 
#2

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I heard you on the wireless back in fifty two
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 to far
Oh-a-aho oh
Oh-a-aho 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 down the blame on VCR

Oh, 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

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Buggles

The Buggles were an English new wave band formed in London in 1977 by singer and bassist Trevor Horn and keyboardist Geoffrey Downes. They are best known for their 1979 debut single "Video Killed the Radio Star", which topped the UK Singles Chart and reached number one in 15 other countries. more »

1 fan

Written by: Geoffrey Downes, Trevor Charles Horn, Bruce Woolley

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

Release and Popularity
"Video Killed the Radio Star" is a song written by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley in 1978. - It was first recorded by British group the Buggles, led by Horn and Downes, and released as their debut single in September 1979.
Musical Significance
This song is remembered as a prophetic reflection on the impact of television and specifically music videos on radio airplay.
Iconic Milestone
"Video Killed the Radio Star" gained significant popularity after being the first music video shown on MTV in the United States at 12:01am on August 1, 1981.
Chart Performance
The song topped the UK Singles Chart for two weeks and also peaked at number 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1980.
Connection with "M
Contrary to common belief, there is no direct connection of the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" with the band "M". The confusion may come from the fact that the band "M" is also associated with the New Wave genre and had a hit around the same time period with "Pop Muzik".
Cover Versions
"Video Killed the Radio Star" has been covered by many artists, and its lyrics have been translated into other languages.
Additional Trivia
Despite being internationally recognized, "Video Killed the Radio Star" was the only major hit for Buggles. However, the band's members, Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, went on to join the progressive rock band Yes, and had successful careers as music producers and songwriters.

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    Video Killed the Radio Star

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1979

    Billboard #40


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    Video Killed the Radio Star [Import CD Single]

    • #1
      Video Killed the Radio Star

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