Interpretation
The song 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by
The Buggles tells a story about technological change and its effects on the music industry. The lyrics themselves are a metaphor for the transition from the radio age, where music was primarily consumed through radio stations, to the age of the music video, which was ushered in by the rise of television and later platforms like MTV.
The line 'I heard you on the wireless back in Fifty Two' refers to the 1950s, when radio was the dominant medium for music. It shows the nostalgic perspective of the singer, who reminisces about the 'good old days' when music was 'pure' and unaffected by the commercial influence of television.
'Video killed the radio star' is the central statement of the song, meaning that the emergence of music videos meant the end of the era of radio stars. With the rise of music videos, musicians were judged not only on their musical ability, but also on their appearance and ability to perform in front of the camera. This led to many traditional 'radio stars' being forgotten.
'And now we meet in an abandoned studio. We hear the playback and it seems so long ago.' This part of the song addresses the melancholy and sadness that comes with the loss of the old times. The empty radio studio symbolizes the abandoned era.
The repeated lines 'In my mind and in my car, we can't rewind we've gone too far' express the irreversibility of technological progress and the change that has taken place. Despite the nostalgia and desire to go back to the past, the singer acknowledges that this is impossible.
Finally, 'Pictures came and broke your heart, put the blame on VTR.' This refers to the role that television and specifically music videos played in 'killing' the radio star. VTR or Video Tape Recorder was the technology that allowed for the recording and playback of videos, which made the rise of music videos possible.
Overall, 'Video Killed the Radio Star' is a reflection on technological change and its effects on the music industry. It is a nostalgic look back at a bygone era, coupled with the recognition that progress is unstoppable and that changes, whether good or bad, are inevitable.