The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star [1981]
The Age of Plastic
"The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star" Video
Amateur Video
Who could ever forget about the video that started it all? Believe it or not, this was the first video to air on MTV, August 1, 1981, at 12:01 AM! The video itself is a curious montage full of freaks, exploding radios and profound lyrics . . . "I heard you on the wireless back in Fifty Two/Lying awake intent at tuning in on you . . ."
These one-hit wonders were in the right place at the right time with the perfect name for a video to inaugurate the first television station devoted entirely to pop music. According to legend, the idea for the song was inspired by a story from science fiction writer Robert Heinlein. The single had actually reached No. 1 on the British charts but only climbed to No. 40 on the U.S. charts when it was first released in 1979. MTV gave the song a little boost, to say the least. The video cost only $50,000 to produce and was shot in just one day. The lack of quality was quite evident. But nobody really gave a shit. By the way, "video killed the radio star" is repeated ad nauseam (11 times) in mind-numbing fashion throughout the song.
All I want to know is whatever happened to the Buggles so many years ago? Apparently, the two struggling musicians that made up the Buggles had actually disbanded the group before the video even made it to MTV. Geoff Downes went on to help form the group, Asia ("Heat of the Moment"), another staple of the early MTV. Trevor Horn became a successful producer for artists such as Tina Turner, the Spice Girls and Faith Hill. "Video Killed the Radio Star" is the third most aired video in MTV history and became the millionth video to air on the music channel on February 27, 2000.
User Comments - Add a Comment
Marie Braden - 2003-01-31 03:25:50
Oddly, I always took the line you quote as "Put the blame on VTR". Back in '79, they were generally referred to as "video tape recorders/VTRs".
Plus, somehow "put the blame" just fits better in the song.
Dan Piazza - 2003-06-19 17:49:16
Clearly, the lyrics in question are "put the blame on" ...anyone who listens to the song carefully can hear that. But put the blame on what? Is it "VTR" or "VCR"? An argument can be made for both. The VTR, or video tape recorder, was developed by Ampex Corp. in 1951, placing it squarely in the timeframe of the song ("I heard you on the wireless back in 'fifty-two") But the VCR, or video cassette recorder, was first sold by Sony in 1971. (The song was released in 1979). Thus, both acronyms are possible . . . what do others think?
Trevor Boyd - 2003-08-05 21:15:39
Gotta love the Buggles! Actually more profound lyrics than you think! I have the sheet music:
Actual lyrics are:
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
Anonymous - 2003-11-21 19:33:20
Your author talks shit...
The Buggles hadnt split at the time of the video and had two further hits and then a follow up album. Then Geoff went Yes with Trevor on vocals and later to Asia. One hit wonders indeed - thankfully they were better accomplished musicians than the author of this crap was at journolism.
They still make money out of music - I imagine you are knocking up poems for greeting cards, asshole!
Jonathan - 2008-09-09 12:53:54
The lyrics in question (viz., "put the blame on vtr" vs. "put the blame on vcr") is answered by watching the video itself. At the point in which the lines is sung, the camera does a close-up on the lead's face. He clearly sings "vee-tee--r" not "vee-cee--r". Of course, singers do not always follow the printed lyrics. Springsteen is a case in point.
anon - 2008-09-09 12:55:21
The acronym he uses in the song to blame the decline of radio is VTR.
Josh - 2008-11-29 17:47:17
From An Earlier Comment - "Your author talks shit... The Buggles hadnt split at the time of the video and had two further hits and then a follow up album. Then Geoff went Yes with Trevor on vocals and later to Asia. One hit wonders indeed - thankfully they were better accomplished musicians than the author of this crap was at journolism. They still make money out of music - I imagine you are knocking up poems for greeting cards, asshole!" THUS THERYour author talks shit... The Buggles hadnt split at the time of the video and had two further hits and then a follow up album. Then Geoff went Yes with Trevor on vocals and later to Asia. One hit wonders indeed - thankfully they were better accomplished musicians than the author of this crap was at journolism. They still make money out of music - I imagine you are knocking up poems for greeting cards, asshole!" THUS THE CAVEAT "APPARENTLY" Author never claimed complete accuracy did he? Relax and stop being so crtical, especially if you are going to hide behind an anonymous moniker (Yes I know this is 5 years overdue, but still..)
jason - 2009-01-21 00:24:01
i often drink with Geoff and can also say the author of this site is full of crap
Be-Bop - 2009-03-31 14:14:39
Uhm Ur Still Worng Its Actually Put The Blame On VTR Not 2 Sound Rude Or ANythin :)
Anonymous - 2009-10-23 10:10:45
Well I'm a child of that era and I destinctly remember seeing the lyrics printed in a popular magazine of the day and it said put the blame on VCR and even looking closely at the video now, I don't think it's as conclusive as an other poster has suggested that Trevor Horn sings VTR if you look and listen repeatedly it can equally sound like VCR
Ben - 2003-01-28 13:08:06
I always thought that the lyric was "So put all your blame on VCR," not "Look I'll play my VCR." This is supported by web sites such as http://members.lycos.co.uk/gary_hart/lyricsb/buggles.html among others. I don't mean to sound like a know-it-all or anything, but I think that "Look I'll play my VCR" is kind of silly, and reflects poorly on the song. (If it is the correct lyric, please notify me.) Thank you.