Internet Killed the Video Star

Album: Get Sharp (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In 1979, the Buggles released "Video Killed The Radio Star," which was the first song MTV played when they launched on August 1st, 1981. Music videos changed the face of music: out with REO Speedwagon, in with Duran Duran - photogenic groups that could make clever videos and appeal to a younger crowd had the edge. The next technological revolution with this kind of effect on music was the Internet, and that shift is what this song takes on.

    The Limousines are the San Francisco-based Electropop duo of Eric Victorino and Giovanni Giusti, who met on the Internet and collaborated on tracks before ever being in the same room.

    Victorino, who handles vocals and songwriting, told us: "The song is about how music changes, electro and pop music give way to rock n roll and back again, it's a cycle - the big lesson though is that you gotta have fun. We knew when we were recording this one that it was going to end up being the catchiest tune on the album, the lyrics came out quick and they're kind of like a sequel to the Buggles song."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.