As others have mentioned when MTV came on the air in August 1981, this was the first music video they played and it changed the industry. The Buggles were basically a one hit wonder, but MTV became a phenomenon. Some bands/singers from the 70s who had radio hits now had to make cool music videos or they were kinda left behind. And then artists like Duran Duran, Billy Idol, Culture Club, Bowie, Hall and Oates, Journey, Huey Lewis and News, Pat Benatar, Michael, Joan Jett, the Police, Prince, Madonna and more became huge stars in the early to mid 80s because they had great visual offerings in the way of their videos to go along with the great songs. It was a killer combo. Now you can understand why hair metal bands became a thing shortly after because in some ways the 'look" became as important as the sound. I'm thankful I was kid during this time and got to witness how music video killed the radio star.

@frankrodriguez2999

Жыл бұрын

I remember sitting with MY PARENTS I was 9 years old watching MTV kick off and this video playing 😁

@hughdalton7622

Жыл бұрын

This person understands what was up.

@EddieLopez711

Жыл бұрын

Yup 21 when MTV came out 100% true never said better.

@kev7161

Жыл бұрын

Yes, exactly. And not only did the artists have to be good singers, but they also had to now become actors and fashionistas and learn how to lip synch believably. It was a whole new world!

@76063co2

Жыл бұрын

I came here to say exactly this, but you said it perfectly. I don't think people appreciate how big a boom MTV was. It took the place of the radio in many homes, playing all day in the background, and is why so many of us from that generation know these music videos so well.

Significance of this song is that this was the first MTV Video to ever be broadcast!

Fact, the keyboard player is none other the HANS ZIMMER who went on to become an Oscar winning composer of many movie scores.

@thebronzetoo

Ай бұрын

Now way!! WOW!!

@ericsbar7960

Ай бұрын

Hans Zimmer was only in the video as he is friends with Trevor Horn and Geoff Downs

@SaintPhoenixx

9 күн бұрын

@@thebronzetoo He's the guy in the back. He didn't play on the record, he only appeared in the video as far as I know.

The first song ever played on MTV. Yes, MTV played music when they first started. The song was released in 1979, MTV started Aug 1981.

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

One of the last 70s songs ,

I’m shocked that Amber actually got the message of this song! Bravo! The very first music video to ever be shown on MTV was The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star." MTV first premiered on August 1, 1981 and would forever change how music would be heard by a new generation. I loved being a 70’s kid. But I am even more grateful that I was alive as a teenager through the ever evolving 80’s that brought some of the most amazing sounds in music to date. Good times!!🥰🙌🏼

@bryanburton6087

Жыл бұрын

I want my MTV

@GirlWithAnOpinion

Жыл бұрын

@@bryanburton6087 Annnnnddddd cue the intro to the official video for "Money For Nothing," by Dire Straights!!!! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

@patfranks785

Жыл бұрын

I had just graduated in June and a bunch of us rented a house and a half on the Outer Banks. I remember this was a big deal. Back when MTV was the sh*t.

@jackgilchrist

Жыл бұрын

I was a kid in the 70s too, and that's where my heart remained. I felt largely out of place in the 80s, like I'd been beamed into some strange alternative universe. And while videos indeed changed the way music was heard, I'm skeptical whether that was a good thing. But as the song says, we couldn't rewind, we'd gone too far. It was what it was, and actually I preferred the 80s to modern times, even with the big hair, dayglo, hair rock and threat of nuclear Armageddon. Lol

@mikep6222

Жыл бұрын

Its not very shocking that people do research.

Im 61 years old and remember back in 1981 wnen MTV first started- this was a huge beginning of music videos. Good times in my life!!

@pennythpmas5787

24 күн бұрын

Did you go to hunch punch parties, like me and my friends?

This is one of the most historically significant songs ever. It changed the world of music forever and opened up a new era with an explosion of creativity never seen before.

@garybutler3911

Жыл бұрын

Well said. Music had become theatrical and opened up a whole new world

@gunternetzer9621

Жыл бұрын

The 70's was pulling out stuff like this every month.

@walterfisher5749

Жыл бұрын

Yea, What you said.

@happyolddude

Жыл бұрын

More the pity!

@z0n0ph0ne

Жыл бұрын

Nah!

“It sounds like something our kids would listen to” It’s something your parents listened to😂

J & A, the first song played on MTV!! Basically a one-hit wonder, but catchy as hell!! edit - here's 2 people each playing 2 keyboards at once!! kzread.info/dash/bejne/kYWCp8hyn6rdaNI.html It is "Love Will Keep Us Together" the Song of the Year 1975!

@richardsteiner8992

Жыл бұрын

That entire album (The Age Of Plastic) is actually not too bad.

@thegingergyrl455

Жыл бұрын

I will always remember that because it was on my 7th birthday 🎂, love it!

@jco207

Жыл бұрын

I'm always amazed, how'd they know MTV was going to be invented? ❤

@surlechapeau

Жыл бұрын

@@jco207 I think they were at the right place at the right time with the right song!!

@leephillips2837

Жыл бұрын

to think this was the first video on MTV, when MTV played Music Videos.

the birth of MTV.....💜🖤💜🖤

@jsherretz64

Жыл бұрын

I remember, I was there.

@GranFelicia

Жыл бұрын

@@jsherretz64 me too!!! sometimes seems like yesterday, sometimes eons ago...

@perezynkrs1

Жыл бұрын

Me too I was there I love the 80's

Back in 2011, this band was invited to play at the Prince's Trust Concert for Charity. They managed to get everyone back together, and performed it flawlessly and to a standing ovation.

@TimothySmiths

Жыл бұрын

It was a tribute to Trevor Horn who is the singer here on this song ..and who is a major producer from the 80's especially.. Playing a huge part in Frankie Goes to Hollywood sound, having hits with Seal, Pet Shop Boys, and being part of The Art of Noise.The whole concert was centered around all the work he did and most of the artists performed with him on that concert.

@kitharley6159

Жыл бұрын

@@TimothySmiths Not to mention Yes' "90124", incl. "Owner of a Lonely Heart".

@bletheringfool

Жыл бұрын

please can they react to that 2011 performance? Someone make it happen!

@bretcantwell4921

Жыл бұрын

The orchestral aspect of that performance showed how sophisticated this song is.

@stuartdollar9912

Жыл бұрын

2004 actually. Was broadcast on HDNet here in the US. You can find various videos from the various bands produced by Horn over the years, Yes, Propaganda, etc., etc.

Trevor Horn who was the voice of Buggles went on to be the most influential music producer of the 80s , producing iconic albums for Frankie Goes to Hollywood, ABC, Pet Shop Boys and a whole host of other artists who made the 80s one of the most memorable decades music wise. He also co-produced one of the biggest selling albums of all time, Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells

@garyd6421

3 ай бұрын

You forgot Seal

The importance of this song in music history can never be underestimated.

@twisprivergrainmill803

Жыл бұрын

That is an understatement!

@evilpenguinmas

Жыл бұрын

I think you mean "overestimated" unless you think it is irrelevant?

@hamsternibbler5582

Жыл бұрын

@@evilpenguinmas Now i'm confused.

@leerobinson6017

Жыл бұрын

@@hamsternibbler5582 first song on mtv ?

@karenwebster2465

24 күн бұрын

Best song! Sooo cool and quirky. Love this. Gonna be 59. Yes, you got it. Released about 1981. Last part, pure gold. Ahead of it's time, ushering in MTV era. I was about 15 years old then. Love it still today!!!

5:55 Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Inception, etc...)

The record was actually released in 1979 in the uk and got to number 1 in our charts. Some critics at the time viewed it as a bit "bubble gum pop" but over the years i think it has has deservedly gained respect as a great song that was ahead of it's time. Trevor Horn the lead singer is now one of the most respected men in the music industry. If anyone would like to hear an even better longer version of this , check out the Princes Trust concert from 2004. The great orchestra support and production makes it sound incredible. Thanks for the video guys , keep digging out these gems.

@user-tj4tl8om9x

4 ай бұрын

Yes 1979.

Actually one of the greatest songs ever, for it's (yet unknown) significance at the time.

Fun fact: the keyboardist who shows up near the end in the black shirt is composer Hans Zimmer, who does the film scores for major films like Man of Steel, The Dark Knight, Inception, Dune, etc.

@stuartmorgan1770

Жыл бұрын

Woah really ??!? That is amazing :D I thought I knew it all about this song but hats off that’s a new one on me Thanks er DeathSurge666 :)

@DeanMichaud

Жыл бұрын

THIS... is cool to learn. Time for me to read up on how that came to be. Thx for the info DeathSurge666!

@jaquettajones

Жыл бұрын

AH-Mazing!! Had not idea - he's won at least a dozen Oscars!

@markjones7109

Жыл бұрын

Cheers for the info.

@mitchellbaxter6314

Жыл бұрын

Holy sh*t, this is true! He also did The Lion King, Gladiator, Crimson Tide, Thelma & Louise, True Romance, The Thin Red Line, The Last Samurai, The Crown, and many more.

I don't think Millennials (or younger) in general have a concept of what MTV meant back in the 80's. It was a cosmic shift in the lives of everyone, caused by one TV channel. Whether you watched it or not, whether you even had cable or not, it changed you because it changed the entire music industry and all of pop culture. "The first video on MTV" means something to us Gen Xers but not much to these young whipper snappers.

@FreelancerWV

Жыл бұрын

This changed Everything!!!!!!!

@jakeaurod

Жыл бұрын

Before we had MTV I remember watching "Night Tracks" on TBS.

@Ecosse57

Жыл бұрын

you nailed it.

@jodonnell64

Жыл бұрын

@@jakeaurod "Video Concert Hall" for me. That was where I first saw Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" video.

@ChristChickAutistic

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, and it started dying when The Real World came out. I knew it then. Unfortunately, I was right.

I hear this song and I think of GTA-Vice City. It was always playing on one of the radio stations.

Wow! Amber is sooo spot-on with her MTV remark! This was the very first video MTV had ever shown, in 1981! 😀 The song was already two years old by that time, though 🙂

The guy with the glasses is Trevor Horn, one of the biggest producers ever. He produced Seal, ABC, Art of Noise whose cover of the Prince song, Kiss, with Tom Jones, is a must hear. He produced Grace Jones' Slave to the Rhythm, Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax, Tina Turner's album Wildest Dreams, albums by Jeff Beck, Pet Shop Boys, I could go on and on. Would love to hear your reaction to Kiss with Tom Jones and Art of Noise and the incredible Slave to the Rhythm please!!!

@Mark-zu6oz

Жыл бұрын

Time for some Grace Jones!

@leehanson1416

Жыл бұрын

Trevor and Geoff were also in Yes for a short time. Geoff was also in Asia.

@luclachance4859

Жыл бұрын

And he replaced Jon Anderson on one Yes Album! Also produced Yes' 90125 album!

@ohfour-seven6228

Жыл бұрын

@@Mark-zu6oz Amen!

@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary

Жыл бұрын

I've been requesting the Art of Noise with Tom Jones version of Kiss for a while now.. but NOoooo!!

One Night In Bangkok - Murray Head. Guys another one hit wonder that combines a little cadence with great instrumentation. Love to see you react to this one also!

@martintremblay5927

Жыл бұрын

he had more than one if you count say it ain't so

@misterkite

Жыл бұрын

After The Fire - Der Kommissar

@dv3507

Жыл бұрын

I second that! I've been suggesting it for a while.

@jamesway

Жыл бұрын

Yep

@Shrykespeare

Жыл бұрын

99 Luftballoons by Nena

1979 is when it was released. shown on MTV in the US, airing at 12:01 a.m. on 1 August 1981, and the first video shown on MTV

Trevor Horn the lead singer is actually best known for being a a grammy and Brit award winning producer, who has worked with acts like Seal (he produced Kiss from a Rose), Frankie Goes to Hollywood, he produced Tubular Bells 2 by Mike Oldfield (who wrote the theme to The Exorcist), as well as working with Tatu and Leanne Rimes (he produced Can't Fight the Moonlight from Coyote Ugly). Trevor Horn is a bit of an 80's icon and a huge producer of the time, The Buggles were just him commenting on the industry.

@deborahpaley21

4 ай бұрын

and Pet Shop Boys

@kimshaky

4 ай бұрын

@@deborahpaley21 don't forget Dollar and his own midd 80's band the art of noise

In the 80 when MTV came on it did kill the radio . We got to see our bands playing the songs . It was visual now and it was cool . Love this song Oh -a Oh-a 1980 hit. Actually it was the very first video ever played on MTV. Put the blame on vcr. We can record our bands on VCrs

@RayfordRaySiegel

Жыл бұрын

I was just about to comment about it being the first song & music video. I found that out, a long time back.

@fermisparadox01

Жыл бұрын

Wrong. All you got to see was videos made for TV. A whole generation listening to music over crappy TV speakers. No wonder real music didn't survive.

@suegreene7841

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I used to watch MTV for hours back in the 80s!!

@Xman156

Жыл бұрын

@@fermisparadox01 I disagree. While there were many crappy songs, MTV launched the careers of many great artists with great songs that are still played on radio even today! Also, the good songs on MTV that we listened to on crappy TV speakers were also played on radio. So if you had a good set of stereophonic speakers at home or in your car, you could hear the songs played loud and clear and they sounded great! There were many songs that I didn't care for too much when I first heard it on MTV, but then loved it when I heard it on good speakers. And the video imagery somehow made the songs catchier and stick to your head more!

You guys are really on a serious one hit wonder kick lately. All of us that grew up in the 80's remember this because it was the first video on MTV. "Pop Muzik" by M is kinda along the same lines!

@leephillips2837

Жыл бұрын

absolutely vote for Pop Muzik. I had it on a 45 so many years ago.

@blueeyedraven396

Жыл бұрын

I still remember my cousins and siblings sitting in my aunt's living room waiting for MTV to begin broadcasting on the first day. Too bad it's not same.

@btgiv6009

Жыл бұрын

Here's a vote for two nearly-forgotten gems: "There's a Spy (In the House of Love)" by Animal Logic, and "Election Day" by Arcadia.

@btgiv6009

Жыл бұрын

One more great one they should love since it features one-quarter of ABBA and was produced by Phil Collins, who put his distinctive stamp on it: "I Know There's Something Going On" by Frida

@Rabessey

Жыл бұрын

That was back when MTV played music videos.

The irony of this song was that it not only was the first MTV video broadcast, but it ushered the end of the radio as the common form of music listening.

A monumental video for MTV! It was the first video played when MTV had their maiden airing August 1,1981!

@lorraineborkowski7766

Жыл бұрын

It's such a part of my youth...the lyrics mean something... Loving it.,

@Dakotaman2003

Жыл бұрын

@@lorraineborkowski7766 too bad he was considered a one hit wonder!

THIS IS SO 80s (released in 1979 I believe). Absolutely ICONIC. Even though its a one-hit-wonder, it just holds so much meaning to what was going on back then in music.

@notuptome

Жыл бұрын

1981 this was the first music video to be played on MTV when it launched in august of 1981

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

Then its so 70s then ,,,, Un lees songs that were released in the summer of 89 are 90s songs ? That would in clued Love Shack released in the summer of 1989 would be a 90s song then right ?

@zimnizzle

Жыл бұрын

@@theodoreritola7641 Well, if you go by release year it’s “70’s” but it really became popular and stayed popular more in the 80’s when it gained a lot of radio play and gained traction. Love Shack, same thing.

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

You counter dickted your self ,, Thank a bout what you just said PLEASE Its a 70s song no matter how hard you want to make it 80s lol It was wrote Recorded and released . BEFORE the 80s were in Diapers

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

@@zimnizzle So Love shack to you is still a 80s song though lol I get it EVERY THINGS 80S LOL WHAT EVER To me Love Shack and all songs from late 1989 are 90s songs then Just like songs from late 79 are 80s songs You cant have it both ways Pamala

Change is usually so gradual that it goes completely unnoticed. The airing of "Video Killed the Radio Star" as the debut video by MTV was not only a brilliant choice; it was one of those rare watershed moments in history that those of us who were there can look back on and say, "That was THE moment things changed."

@serekithegreat

Жыл бұрын

Yes! The launch of MTV was was an earth shattering moment for us who were there to witness it on our TV’s. I’ll never forget it. 😎🙌🏾

@btetschner

11 ай бұрын

That was a well-written post. Great writing!

@SugahShy

10 ай бұрын

Exactly❤

@deborahpaley21

9 ай бұрын

truth

This song may be one of the most important video song on MTV PERIOD!!! First video!! Lyrics were so spot on!

It’s totally incredible That this was 40 years old Wow 😮 Time really flies Great song 🎵 I remember the day this aired on MYV

@DaveZee823

4 ай бұрын

I was a 15 year old lad at this time. It sounds just like the first time hearing it! I always come back for more.

Next Stops, 80's One Hit Wonders Edition: The Vapors, "Turning Japanese" Wall of Voodoo, "Mexican Radio" Bow Wow Wow, "I Want Candy"

@theodoreritola7641

3 ай бұрын

This will all ways be a 70s song1 hit wonder

The first video ever aired on MTV!! That was an awesome moment... And this is such a catchy song too.

The song was released in 1979, but really hit its peak in 1981, after being the first video on MTV.

Amber you hit the nail on the head girl, it's exactly what it was. The first music video on MTV 1981. It was the change and progression in the music industry.

@rjjcms1

7 ай бұрын

A couple of years before it kicked the MTV age off,Video Killed the Radio Star got to number 1 in the UK,in October 1979 when it displaced the Police's Message in a Bottle from the top of the chart. Buggles did actually have a second Top 20 hit in February 1980,called Living in the Plastic Age,which is interesting in its own right.

I still get chills from this song! This song not only kicked off the 80s and MTV but my Teens to my 20s!! What a great time it was... unfortunately gone forever..

@rebeccawilson9933

Жыл бұрын

The 80s encompassed my high school and college years. Video channels m played constantly all over college campus...except for the one hour of Days of Our Lives.

@michaelccozens

Жыл бұрын

Only if time is linear/exists, which is not as certain as one might expect. So there's that.

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

Me to i was born in 1960 , For me the late 60s and the 70s were fantastic, The best 10 year ever , And now what a crappy world we all live in ,

@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary

Жыл бұрын

@@theodoreritola7641 Truth be known, Crappy was always operating in the background, puttin on The Show like it wasn't Crappy, but now we are seeing the Elites of the world starting to reveal their True Nature and their True Nature is Crappy and Evil.. Thank God for God!!

“(Keep feeling) fascination” by The Human League is another early Mtv must. The epitome of 80s music, IMO. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@jackie_jrml

Жыл бұрын

Omg I love this song it’s sooo fun. An instant mood booster!!!

Without even reading all 2,500 comments, I know what they all say! Haha, good job Amber deciphering the meaning etc…

The funny thing is videos are pretty much gone, but radio is still widely popular. Yes, there are other ways to listen to music, as there always have been (8-Track, Cassette, CD, music downloads, streaming, podcasts etc etc) but people keep listening to radio

This song was released in July,1979 but MTV premiered with this video in August of 1981.

❤️ I’ll give you some trivia beyond the “first song on MTV.” Trevor Horn, the lead singer went on to become a very successful record producer after joining Yes prior to that group’s temporary breakup. Keyboardist Geoff Downes was not only a member of Yes, but founded the supergroup Asia with then-ex Yes guitarist Steve Howe. He later reformed the original Asia members and rejoined Yes.

@plaidmoon5642

Жыл бұрын

The Buggles were probably the most successful one hit wonder band ever. It's just that their success happened after they quit being The Buggles.

@garymcclure8924

Жыл бұрын

Was the very first video on MTV on ,august 1. ,1980. ,12 ,midnight

@speedyg352010

Жыл бұрын

how funny people thought it was money for nothing cause of the MTV references but nope it was this 1

@genedoss664

Жыл бұрын

Trevor Horn put a really interesting bass line on this song, too. I never really noticed it from the TV speaker, but listening to it later in life with a good set of headphones, it's really a fairly complicated and integral part of the song.

@filippajak9022

Жыл бұрын

And don't forget about Hans Zimmer, film score composer (two Oscars - The Lion King and Dune), who cooperates with The Buggless and can be seen in this video.

This song was released in 1979 guys, remember it so well. A British band formed in 1977.

The song was released in June 1979 and reached number 1 in the charts in 16 countries.

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

To 80s kids does that NOT make it a 70s song ?

The Buggles were a one hit wonder in January of 1980. "Video Killed the Radio Star" was a little prophetic as the song was released about 2 years before MTV debuted. This was also the very first video EVER played on MTV. ❤

@theodoreritola7641

Ай бұрын

THIS WAS POP BE4 THE 80s were in diapers lol ALL IN FUN

Very first video on MTV guys back in 1981

It came out in 1979 but was still in the charts mid way through 1980. That's why it is always included on 80's compilations.

@watcherwlc53

Жыл бұрын

And because it was the inaugural video on MTV

@TheNucaKola

Жыл бұрын

It really feels like it’s the song that officially rung in the 80’s. Much like NIN’s Head Like A Hole came out in 1989, but really rung in the 90’s

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

Its still a 70s song and will be remembered for that, When i was 18 This song came out in Late 1979 I never thought this as a 80s song nEVER

@kevinelson4149

Жыл бұрын

@@theodoreritola7641 I agree with you completely I was 17 when it came out and it is a 70s song

@theodoreritola7641

3 ай бұрын

Its not though it was a hit before the 80s started

3:47 A closeup look of that little girl looking up while feeling in shock is so adorable ❤

As mentioned by other in the comments, lead singer Trevor Horn went on to produce amazing records in the 1980's and 1990's. He won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1996 for the song "Kiss From A Rose". a long overdue recognition for his contribution to the music we listen to. At 5 min 57 sec the keyboardist in shot is a young Hans Zimmer. He went on to win 2 Oscars in the Best Original Score category, 1/ The Lion King in 1995 and 2/ Dune in 2022.

@redoz9768

Жыл бұрын

And Zimmer did the soundtrack for Top Gun Maverick.

@erik5374

Жыл бұрын

Hans Zimmer was in the Buggles? I ve learned something today.

@DrewJimmy

Жыл бұрын

I meant to say Trevor sang lead on Yes drama

@robertrose5938

Жыл бұрын

The keyboardist is Geoff Downes (Yes, Hans ZImmer is also in shot briefly.), the other half of the Buggles, current and past Yes keyboardist and founder of Asia.

@hilzabub

Жыл бұрын

@@robertrose5938 so they are one-hit wonders because they were too busy making hits elsewhere. A ton of talent!

Amber, you’re right. This was actually the first video ever aired on MTV on August of 1981. It’s probably hard for you guys to wrap your head around, but before this most music was first heard on the radio. No cable TV, three or four TV channels was all that was available. That’s one of the reasons I wish you did more reactions without watching the videos. When artists made music back then, videos were an afterthought at best. A lot of times the videos take you away from the real intention of the song. Not always, but pretty regularly. Thanks hats just me, I’m an old school music fan and radio DJ, still in the game 43 years after I started. Thanks for what you do!

@PlumbPitiful

Жыл бұрын

Every once in a while they do react to an audio-only song but then inevitably they get people complaining "why didn't you watch the video?". So they can't win!

@LaptopLarry330

Жыл бұрын

Music videos have an interesting history. When talking motion pictures started coming out in the late-1920s, some "short-subject" music films were aired prior to showing the movie in movie theaters.. They were shown this way from the late-1920s to the early-1970s. During the Experimental Era of television from the late-1930s to 1947, some music artists would perform in between television programs, especially if a TV program ended early. The Dumont Television Network still continued this practice into the Commercial Era of television broadcasting from 1947 until they went off the air in 1955. In the 1950s and 1960s, some record labels made "promotional film clips" for some of their music artists, to be aired on network variety shows when the music artist was unable to appear on the show. In the mid-1930s, a vending machine company developed what were called "Soundies" film machines. A person would put some coins into the machine, and after pushing some buttons, a "Soundie" film of a music artist or band would play on the machine. "Soundies" machines were placed at truck stops and some penny arcade parlors from the 1930s to the mid-1950s. Elvis Presley was in the process of raising money to make a Soundies film. When a radio DJ at WHK Cleveland, Ohio found out what Presley was doing, he arranged for him to make some appearances on television on "The Stage Show" on CBS in early-1956, and the rest is history. In the late-1970s, HBO and The USA Network began to air what we now know as music videos on their programs, "Video Jukebox", and "Night Flight" (and also on "Radio 1990", hosted by Lisa Robinson), respectively.

@kellyp136

Жыл бұрын

Same with MuchMusic in Canada. This was the first video played as well.

@rickclay

Жыл бұрын

Exactly said!!!!!!

@mgman6000

Жыл бұрын

You guys are so lucky you get to first hear these songs with high quality and earphones. We usually heard a new song on our car radio which didn't sound all that good if I liked it I'd go buy the album to be able to hear it over my stereo or headphones. The first time I heard the Beatles a day in the life was in January of 67 on my car radio and was blown away I didn't know that it would be months until I could get the album.

Living in the plastic age is also a good song by them. The video for that one is even weirder than Video Killed the Radio Star. Also fun fact the buggles were part of the band Yes (for one album). And one of the members, Geoff Downes, was later part of the band Asia. They're one of those one hit wonders that are actually way more influential then you imagine.

This song and video is so historically iconic. The effect on his voice was meant to sound like old-time radio. The video is loaded with symbolism of the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, such as using black & white in parts, an old-time radio and microphone, 60s-style suits. The list goes on. The woman is dressed as a 1950s sci-fi character and even flies on wires. The little girl is meant to be modern, which for the early 80s, she was. I was in high school when this video kicked off MTV back when MTV really was Music Television. They even had video DJs known as VJs back then. My favorite was Martha Quinn, but she might've been everyone's favorite. 😊 A couple of others were Mark Goodman and Nina Blackwood.

This was released in 1979 and you can count them in the one-hit wonder category. The meaning of the song is explained as follows: "It was meant to refer to the transition of everyday digital media. In the '60s, American households slowly transitioned from radio to video as televisions became more accessible for the average family. Now, instead of tuning into the radio for the nightly news or entertainment, families were turning on their televisions, thus signaling the beginning of a shift in media consumption. The lyrics "Video killed the radio star" are meant to be taken quite literally - the increased popularity of television as a form of information and entertainment ultimately "killed" the radio industry."

@kerrycrismon2854

Жыл бұрын

And now it comes “digital killed the video star”

@DirtMaguirk

Жыл бұрын

It's amazing that it sounds like it has the early new wave 80s vibe but if you really listen you can the hear the late 70s instrumentation. Similar to Kate Bush's Wow. I thought it was from the early 80s but it's from 78.

@carltonbakerii8274

Жыл бұрын

They were definitely a one-hit wonder but the album itself is utterly amazing! "Miss Robot", "Elstree", and "Astroboy (And The Proles On Parade)" are great songs!

@georgeglasser8220

Жыл бұрын

The radio industry is still strong. It killed the careers of people like Christopher Cross,who weren't attractive enough for MTV. It became more about how you look, rather than talent.

@claytoncourtney1309

Жыл бұрын

@@georgeglasser8220 sorry but you missed it. The song and what Tina is saying is that it is about how in the thirties and forties and fifties the radio was the place where people got their entertainment. Radio stations didn't just play music. They had shows that told stories, they were talk shows, there were comedy shows. When television became popular people started watching TV for that same type of entertainment. The people that were big and radio may not have made it big in TV hence video killing the radio Star.

You should do Elvis Costello's "Radio, Radio". It was so controversial against the music industry that it got them kicked off of Saturday Night Live for years because they were told not to perform it and did it anyway. This song will lead you to "Pump It Up", "Allison", "Watching the Detectives" and many more. Elvis Costello is a true original.

@jen_alanfromchicago53

Жыл бұрын

This is 'Behind The Song ' channel of a local DJ here. This link is for Watching The Detectives, kzread.info/dash/bejne/qHebp8aRoJeTlZs.html 👍

@kkay3784

Жыл бұрын

I love his more recent stuff, too.

@wadsworthaaron

Жыл бұрын

Elvis Costello's brilliance offers up a great rabbit hole to jump down. So much good stuff!

@dolphinbear661

Жыл бұрын

Veronica is one of the most poignant songs ever written. It makes me cry Everytime. Also, Everyday I write the book, is an amazing EC song. Yep

@wadsworthaaron

Жыл бұрын

@@dolphinbear661 That song (along with most of the "Spike" album) was co-written with Paul McCartney.

This is New Wave! From the great late late 1970's. Everything was so new! Anything was possible!

We didn't have cable yet in 1981 but a friend invited me over to watch the premiere of Music Television (MTV). This was their debut video. It was so cool. I still get a kick out of hearing this.

This music video is part of the birth of MTV, back when it was actually Music Television instead of what we have today. And you absolutely got the message Amber!

I missed MTV’s debut because our cable didn’t carry it, so the first video I saw was Toni Basil’s “Mickey” about a year later. You guys have no idea how huge music videos became to us youngin’s in the 80’s. Blew our tiny little minds!

@canonfodder2068

Жыл бұрын

I was just thinking the same...my first MTV was Flock of Seagulls--I Ran.

@wadsworthaaron

Жыл бұрын

I think the first video I saw was from the Thompson Twins ("Hold Me Now") in '81, I think

A great New Wave song. New Wave was a lot of fun, kind of a punk meets prog-rock fusion :)

I can't tell you how much this song was so spot on with its lyrics and sound when it came out maybee not as much for todays listeners but for all that was coming into the new MTV age (which this song was the 1st they played) so it resonates with all those living and watching music become a combination of both mediums Music+Video which brought us all into a brand new age. This song is a song of a Great BIRTH that all people now on planet Earth now enjoy and take for advantage of, each and every day but for us who lived through it felt the real Birth Pangs of this New Genre being born. Shout out to all my Fellow baby Boomers and Gen Xers.

This one also makes me think of Mr. Roboto. Technology as a destroyer of the past. You guys reacted to that one.

A side-note about the name of the band: They were spoofing the band name of "The Beatles". (Beetles are bugs.) So they called themselves "The Buggles" as an inside joke. (Prior to this they had been known as "The Bugs", making light of the studio "bugs" in the electronics that wreak havoc in the recording studio.)

MTV musuc videos were constantly played for about 15 yrs solid,. This being the very first video on MTV was monumental.

This was released before MTV, but was the first song played on MTV. This is a song about how music of the past had a different meaning. You listened to music and had the images in your mind, but video changed that and guided your thinking about the song. It changed how we listened and viewed music. This was an early 80's hit, but I believe it was written around 79'

@MrMarcy76

6 ай бұрын

It was a late 1979 number 1 in the U.K., but hit the North American charts in early 1980, so it’s technically a crossover hit. Same as Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd, which hit number 1 in late 1979, and was the Christmas number 1, then stayed at the top during early January 1980. But, it went on to chart in many countries during 1980.

@theodoreritola7641

Ай бұрын

nope lol put it back on the 70dz shelf lol 1979 was never a year in the 80s

This is the first video played by MTV.

I'm 51, rock and roll, metal, thrash, death metal. But I do remember day one of MTV. I was there. Now that I'm old. I totally love 80s British New Wave. It's so nostalgic.

It was 1980 or 1981 - that was the FIRST video ever played on MTV in August of 1981 - the Music Loving Klingon

A song that is simple and initially does not seem all that special, but when you add in its fame for being MTVs first video, then you realize it is such a perfect song for what it did.

1st video ever played on MTV as it started up!

@theodoreritola7641

Ай бұрын

I think 1979 was the best year EVER 4 the music INDUSTRY PERIOD

Random thought: it’d be cool to see a weekly round up touching on the videos posted with the information supplied by the viewers. Case in point, letting you know that this was the very first video played on MTV taking music into a new era. It’s be neat to see that all the informative comments were noted and helped expand your knowledge while you are on this music journey. Just a random thought, like I said. 😊

@rubnsracn

Жыл бұрын

That would make a great weekly livestream. Because we DO like to know you're picking up more information behind the songs, bands and the history of the times. You both are SO open to all the great music. And you 'get it.'

@jerickson725

Жыл бұрын

I agree with this 100%!!! I would love to see them do this for one day of the week (briefly adding to anything for the 6 previous days videos), in place of 3 new reactions 😊. That thought has gone through my head too; thanks @car blount for suggesting it!

@wiliamgreco9724

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing. It really would be nice to know about the viewer comments.

@tommythompson9565

Жыл бұрын

Good idea.

@orcoastgal

Жыл бұрын

Yes please!

His vocals are styled on the 1920s and 30s. The song's subject matter is also on the Queen song, Radio Ga Ga.

I'm old enough that this makes me think of the first "talky" movies and what they did to the careers of many of the silent movie stars. "Pictures came and stole your heart." Obviously, this is the same thing, just with MTV and music videos in general. "We can't rewind, we've gone to far ..." is such a great line that applies to pretty much every technological advance ever.

@sannaolsson9106

Жыл бұрын

Silent films ended in the 30s. How old are you??😂

@graymouser6599

Жыл бұрын

@@sannaolsson9106 57 but I remember seeing movies as a kid in the early 70s made in the 50s about this topic. I didn't go to any silent movies in the theaters as a kid ... I'm not that old ... :-)

@elebenty5709

Жыл бұрын

@@graymouser6599 I was thinking Radio Star as in the golden era before broadcast TV. The original soap operas, Sci fi, and mysteries were carried on amplitude modulated radio waves. Video killed that as well.

One of the most underrated gems out there. Recorded in 1979, Trevor Horn foresaw the epic influence (for better or worse) of MTV by two years. Just brilliant!

@fuiplu

Жыл бұрын

Not to mention that they are all amazing musicians..Trevor plays a wicked bass line

@jamesscorey2276

Жыл бұрын

Think Trevor played with yes.

@LastViolator

8 ай бұрын

How on earth could a song that was number one in many countries and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide be "underrated"??? Do you actually know the meaning of the adjective "underrated", or you just type it anywhere to feel cool?

@OnlyGoodMusic_

3 ай бұрын

underrated????????? xDDDD

I remember this video kicking off MTV. And Trevor Horn later became a helluva a producer working with some huge bands in 80s and 90s.

This song was so groundbreaking at the time, it’s a gem & changed music.

The vocal was produced to make Trevor sound like he's speaking down a phone line.

I grew up with music videos, but I genuinely think they are the worst thing to happen to music. It didn't really matter what you looked like before that because people only heard your music on the radio and only knew what you looked like if your picture was on the record cover or if you got famous enough to be in magazines. Now, it's image first and music a DISTANT second.

@rodjohnson2632

Жыл бұрын

I agree completely! When MTV came along, suddenly it was all about making a flashy video, not making good music. So many of my favorite bands of the 70's sold out to this new trend, and I basically stopped listening to any new music. There have been a few exceptions, but I think most music since 1980 is garbage.

@amitabhhajela681

Жыл бұрын

@@rodjohnson2632 I agree with both of you but in retrospect some of those 80s and even 90s videos were works of art

@meredith2588

Жыл бұрын

@@amitabhhajela681 Agreed. There are a lot of great videos out there, but I mourn for all the talented people who never got a shot because they didn't have the right 'look.'

@rodjohnson2632

Жыл бұрын

@@amitabhhajela681 Yes, I'll admit there were some well-done music videos, but I still believe the music suffered as a result of the focus shifting to the videos.

The keyboardist for the Buggles was Geoff Downes, who went on to be one of the four original members of Asia (you did "Heat of the Moment" a little while ago). Geoff's keyboard rig in concert made this one in the video look tiny.

Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes (The Buggles) both joined the band Yes for a short time.....and Horne went on to become one of the best producers of rock albums. A very talented guy.

This song came out in 1980. At the time it was mostly only known to New Wave fans but became a huge hit the following year when it became the first song ever played on MTV. This song was a huge hit but it is the only one that made it big. Their entire "Living in the Plastic Age" album is super solid early New Wave . I think there is a copy of the title track on KZread if you want to see more of them

@theodoreritola7641

3 ай бұрын

No actually 1979 ITS 70s

Fun facts- This was the first video played on MTV. Singer Trevor Horn and Keyboardist Geoff Downes recorded the Drama album in Yes when Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman left that group in 1980. Downes returned to Yes in the past 10 or so years.

This song came out in 1979 and was used as the intro for MTV a few years later. It's about how TV first became so popular in the 50's. A great tune!

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

ITS FUNNY how 80s kids ignore that lol

Even though this song was the very first song played on MTV on 8-1-1981, this song is actually from 1979 (which is when it was released as well as when it peaked on the charts).

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

You got that right, So 80s kids LEAVE it on the 70s shelf PLEASE ,

Every so often , I come back around to Buggles and remember they were cool. The latest round led me to this vid and to your delightful outlook , J & Amber. Subscribed at Supertramp and now want to see EVERYTHING lol. But it all stems from that magical decade

This is such an "addictive song". Great musicians. Still love it! Definitely a Pop tune and one that will always be a fun song to hear whenever. Lead Singer was also the LEAD Singer of Yes for one album, Drama. Good stuff. He even produced the band Yes, 90125 (Owner of a Lonely Heart). Stay safe. Peace to both of you.

I think his vocals were meant to sound like a Radio Broadcast in the 1920s. A nod and a tip 'o' the hat to the earliest days of Broadcasting, paying respect and bidding adieu to the old before ushering the new era of the MUSIC VIDEOS.

@gemini802

10 ай бұрын

I thought he meant the 1950's radio

Trevor and his studio team helped create the sound of the 80s. Any release from his ZTT label is worthy of attention. Art of Noise, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, and Propaganda are still some of my favourite bands, and still sound like the future nearly 40 years later.

@Roundtablist

11 ай бұрын

Agreed! Also Seal, Yes (the Owner of a Lonely Heart phase), Slave to the Rhythm by Grace Jones, ABC's Lexicon of Love, Malcolm McLaren's Duck Rock, the list is basically a map of the global top 10 of the 80s and 90s. One of the most influential producers ever.

My main memory of this song dates from April Fools Day in 1980. During the breakfast show, a local radio station ran a spoof interview with someone going into great detail about how they had developed what we now know as a music streaming service. At the end of the "interview", the DJ said all he could think of was to play this! Separately, Jordan if you like keyboard wizards that much, check out some live performances by Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Primarily known today as the 1st video ever played on MTV (August 1, 1981), "VKTRS" peaked @ #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1979. Duo consisted of Geoff Downes & Trevor Horn. Both joined the group Yes in 1980. Downes joined Asia in 1981. Horn became a prolific producer; Early production hits = ABC's "The Lexicon of Love" & Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Welcome to the Pleasuredome." Later Trevor Horn produced Seal and won a 1995 Grammy for Best Record of the Year (as producer of Seal's "Kiss From A Rose.")

Yes, MTV's first video, but another interesting fact is that the lead singer and the keyboardist joined Yes in 1979 and made one WONDERFUL album, "Drama". It's a small world in the music biz

There was one musician that I recall who was masterful at leveraging the power of music videos: Michael Jackson. Music Video premiers took on a whole meaning when MJ was about to release a new video production. Remember "Thriller?" 😃

Trevor Horn the singer is a prolific producer of loads of big hits for other artists but this song always has a special place in my heart. As others mentioned, the first video to be played on USA MTV. Iconic

The one-hit wonder that kicked off MTV (on 8/1/81). The song was first released in 1979. What a way to cement your place in history!! While I can't really recommend any more Buggles songs, there are a lot of other early 80s synth-heavy nu-wave gems that you have yet to react to - "Cars" by Gary Numan; "Living on Video" by Trans X; and "Pop Muzik" by M. You should also add to your "New Artist Alert!" list "Goody Two Shoes" by Adam Ant; "Generals and Majors" by XTC; and "Annie Get Your Gun" by Squeeze. "Radio Silence" by Thomas Dolby is another brilliant tune.

@urbanurchin5930

Жыл бұрын

Yes ! "Living on Video" also has the same spaced-out feel that The Buggles used on this video.....I always loved that song !

@RLucas3000

Жыл бұрын

I think they would love Dolby’s “She blinded me with...”

@monyx2926

Жыл бұрын

XTC's "This is Pop!" or "Making Plans for Nigel." What a great band from Swindon, England!

Perfect pop song. This was recorded on tape, and you can feel the air.

I was a Junior in High School and recall staying up for the midnight launch of MTV on August 1st, 1981. This was our first exposure to the video music that would shape our generation. It was a pretty magical time - the world was changing fast and this was just another example.

Like the old saying “you have a face for radio”….lol. Appearance, style, choreography…all came into play much more since you were now seeing the performers!!

MTV was launched on August 1, 1981. This was the 1st video played on MTV. Rounding out the first ten were: 02 "You Better Run" Pat Benatar. 03 "She Won't Dance With Me" Rod Stewart. 04 "You Better You Bet" The Who. 05 "Little Suzi's on the Up" Ph.D. 06 "We Don't Talk Anymore" Cliff Richard. 07 "Brass in Pocket" The Pretenders. 08 "Time Heals" Todd Rundgren. 09 "Take it on the Run" REO Speedwagon. 10 "Rockin' the Paradise" Styx

@txheadshots

Жыл бұрын

I was coming to post the list as well.. beat me to it

@jeffvanderpool4039

Жыл бұрын

@@txheadshots The RSR family is just too large for me to read every comment fellow family members make. I figured it was a safe bet there would be a quite a few comments about this being the 1st video played when MTV launched, but what about the first 10? The site I went to actually had the first 20 and another had the first 50. LOL Glad to know someone had the same idea!

@txheadshots

Жыл бұрын

@@jeffvanderpool4039 yea. I find the first 10 a fascinating list given that I barely remember a couple of them. I was overseas in Japan when mtv launched and didn’t get to watch until we came back in summer of 84… but Benatar, Styx, REO Speedwagon… all played a big role in my musical life while I was over there

The golden age of music started with this song. The period from 1981 to 1984 was particularly amazing.

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

This came out in the summer of 1979 In many countries , This was very pop in 1979 , BEFORE the 80s Started ,,The Golden age of music was 1974 TO 1979,,

@giuseppesorrenti3172

Жыл бұрын

@@theodoreritola7641 Too young to remember that period, but, of course, it was an excellent one, expecially for disco music in the latest years. I only meant that in the early '80s we had the greatest amount of hits ever.

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

@@giuseppesorrenti3172 PLEASE tell me how ? DO you know that 8 OF THE TOP 25 BIGGEDT SELLING LPS SOLD IN THE USA ARE FROM THE 1970s A True Fact ,,

@giuseppesorrenti3172

Жыл бұрын

@@theodoreritola7641 I live in Europe. Different charts. Following these reaction channels, I learned we listen to different music.

@theodoreritola7641

Жыл бұрын

Try 1975 threw 1977 Mind Blowing ,, And 78 and 79 XTRA WOOOOW

In November of 1979 for the first time I heard that song on the radio in Madrid, Spain. I do recall there were other songs like “Message in the bottle” from the British band the Police. “We don’t talk anymore” by Cliff Richard and others.. The song is questioning the changing technology. This song was before MTV debut in 1981. This song came out in September 1979.. it took a while to reach the states. It is an acoustic sound mixed with 1950’s chorus and electronic sounds

Love this song and appreciate your thoughts about it. Cool little fact is that the Buggles did a reunion show at the Royal Albert Hall and assembled the entire band and singers that they made this recording with. Really cool for them to do that.