The Buggles - Wikipedia

About the Song

Remember the days when music was purely a sound? Before colorful images danced across your screen, there was radio. And then came The Buggles and their groundbreaking song, “Video Killed the Radio Star”. This catchy tune wasn’t just a catchy melody; it was a prophetic statement about the changing face of the music industry.

Released in 1979, “Video Killed the Radio Star” was more than just a song; it was a cultural touchstone. It arrived at the dawn of the music video era, when MTV was about to revolutionize how we consumed music. The song’s clever lyrics predicted this shift, playfully suggesting that the visual medium would soon overshadow the auditory one.

Created by the duo of Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley, the song was a perfect blend of catchy pop hooks and a touch of clever wit. It was a time when electronic music was just beginning to make its mark, and “Video Killed the Radio Star” was one of the early pioneers of the genre. With its infectious synth melody and driving rhythm, it captured the spirit of the emerging new wave sound.

Beyond its musical brilliance, the song’s enduring appeal lies in its nostalgic value. It transports listeners back to a time of big hair, neon colors, and MTV’s constant rotation of groundbreaking videos. It’s a reminder of how rapidly the music industry evolved and how a simple song could accurately predict the future.

So, the next time you enjoy a visually stunning music video, take a moment to appreciate the song that heralded this new era. “Video Killed the Radio Star” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a piece of music history that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.The Buggles - JazzRockSoul.com

Video 

Lyrics: Video Killed The Radio Star

I heard you on the wireless back in ’52
Lying awake intently 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 too 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 too far
Pictures came and broke your heart
Put the blame on VTR…

You are the radio star
You are the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
You are the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
You are the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
You are the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
You are the radio star

Oh-a-oh, oh-a-oh…

You Missed

Dolly Parton turned a simple handmade coat into one of the most powerful songs of her life because to her, it was never really about the fabric. “Coat of Many Colors” sprang directly from Dolly’s growing-up years in East Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee, pieced the jacket together by sewing colorful rags the family already owned. Cash was mighty tight, so there was no running down to the store for brand-new clothes. Instead, Avie Lee took what was on hand and stitched together something warm for her little girl to wear. While the needle flew, she shared the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, turning an ordinary piece of clothing into something special in Dolly’s eyes. Proudly wearing that coat to school, Dolly felt rich, but the other kids saw it differently. They laughed at the patches and teased her for having so little. Years down the road, Dolly penned those childhood memories into “Coat of Many Colors.” Released in 1971, the tune became a shining example of why her songwriting touched so many souls. She never tried to hide hard times or dress up her youth to look prettier than it was. She simply laid the sting of teasing side-by-side with the deep love that stitched the coat together, letting that honest truth speak for itself. The song eventually grew far beyond that original vinyl record. Its spirit inspired the 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, followed by Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love the very next year. Those films opened a window into Dolly’s mountain home, introducing folks to the hardworking parents and siblings who shaped her long before the bright lights found her. By then, Dolly had worn glittering stage gowns worth more than her family could ever have dreamed. Yet the garment folks remember best remains that humble little coat stitched by a mother’s loving hands when buying something new simply wasn’t in the cards. That is why the memory stayed alive. The scraps faded away, but the lesson underneath never did.