Even though the classic song by The Buggles "Video Killed The Radio Star" peaked at #40 in 1979, this catchy little song is considered an 80's anthem due to it being the first song (music video) played on MTV on 8/1/81. I was just wondering where and if the song recharted on the charts. Since it wasn't in the top 40, where on the Top 200 or Hot 100 did it peak in 1981?

--Jeff

In the UK it was number 1 in 1979, but as you say Jeff it was remembered as being the first MTV video played - and therefore is remembered as an 80's song.

In the UK it never recharted according the the hit singles guide. As for the US, I've posted your question to the alt.culture.us.1980s group.

I'll let you know here as soon as I find out!

And here's the info you need:

-debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on November 10, 1979
-remained on the charts for 10 weeks
-peaked at #40 (date unknown to me - sorry!)
-never re-charted

I've heard Video Killed The Radio Star via Saturday Night '80s.

Originally posted by JS Steele
I've heard Video Killed The Radio Star via Saturday Night '80s.

Jeff, may I invite you to our weekly get together starring DJDaffy and Bob's 80s Rewind? It starts at 8:00 Central Time every Wednesday Night. Check into the chat room and someone will post the url for you. He even takes requests.:D

You can actually download the video. I saw it for the first time maybe 2 weeks ago. I was using either Kazaa or WinMX (Winmx pretty much blows though).

Not very big, but you should have cable/DSL to get it.

Anyway, very interesting video. Even if I didn't know it was 80's, it just radiates of the era!

I used to love this song! I liked it so much I recorded it on cassette and played it over and over. Now I'm totally sick of it! :lol:

Sort of reminds me of My Heart Will Go On, even though that's not an 80's song.

When Titanic came out, I really liked the song. Then I heard it ALL the time, multiple times per day. I went on a business trip to San Diego and heard it all the time down there.

Now I'm sick of it. WAY overplayed.

If any of you guys are sick of 'Video Killed The Radio Star', check out their other hit 'Living In The Plastic Age'.

It's every bit as good in my opinion...... :thumb:

There were two versions. The disco version by The Buggles and the new wave version by British group Bruce Woolley (who actually co-wrote the song) and the Camera Club.

I don't know how successful Bruce Woolley's version was elsewhere, but here in Canada, we got both versions. The Buggles version charted in November of 1979 and the Bruce Woolley version charted in January of 1980

Sort of reminds me of My Heart Will Go On, even though that's not an 80's song.

When Titanic came out, I really liked the song. Then I heard it ALL the time, multiple times per day. I went on a business trip to San Diego and heard it all the time down there.

Now I'm sick of it. WAY overplayed.
I was sick of it the first time it was played. What's worse, it was the theme for my junior prom! :yikes: :barf:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000007VMV.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

The Buggles

English duo: Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn (both joined the group "YES" in 1980) Downes became a member of "ASIA" in 1981. Horn became a prolific producer. Their hit single, "Video Killed The Radio Star", was the premiere video on MTV's first show on 8-1-81.


Artist: The Buggles

Song: Video Killed The Radio Star

Original Album: The Age Of Plastic

Year: 1979



Billboard Chart Information {USA}

Song Rank:

#40 on 11-10-79

Album Rank:

#161 on 3-27-82


Available on:

New Wave Hits Of The '80s Vol. 1

Edited: Thanks Cityboy for the album correction.

Dan

Here's some info on "Video Killed The Radio Star"

1) It was originally on the LP "The Age Of Plastic" in 1979 (not "Adventures In Modern Recording") "Adventures In.." came out in 1982 after Geoff Downes was already in Asia). The only Yes album they appeared as members on was "Drama" which included "Into The Lens" which the Buggles re-recorded as "I Am A Camera" on "Adventures"

2) "The Age Of Plastic" did not chart on the LP chart

3) Regarding when it peaked at #40: 12-15-79

4) Regarding Bruce Wooley & The Camera Club: yes Columbia records released the LP in the USA, The Bruce Wooley version has an additional verse to the song.

5) Regarding whether the song re-charted in 1981? No, but it was re-released as single in the Spring of 1983 on Island 99871. The original (1979) was on Island 49114.

6) In BILLBOARD magazine's Top singles picks/reviews it was listed under recomended in the 5/21/83 issue:

CHARTBOUND:

Jarreau-Mornin'
Human League-Keep Feeling Fascination
Martin Briley-The Salt In My Tears

Recomended:

After The Fire-Dancing In The Shadows
Buggles-Video Killed The Radio Star
Tony Banks-This Is Love
Carlos Santana-Watch Your Step
Roxy Music-More Than This
Jon Butcher Axis-Life Takes A Life
Marianne Faithful-Running For Our Lives
U.S. London-It's What You Put It

First Time Around:

Tears For Fears-Mad World
Atlanta-Atlanta Burned Again Last Night


People may consider this an 80s song however no matter how you slice it, it IS actually a seventies song, (released in the seventies, peaked in the seventies) In fact it was on the US charts for TEN weeks, and only two of them were in the 80s. (1-5-80, it was #84), on 1-12-80 it moved up one to #83), and then fell off.

It MTV hadn't revived it, and played it, it would've been long forgotton. I can see why people think it's an 80s, but letting them keep on believing it is like letting people keep on believing that the world's flat.

I remember requesting it on 70s Saturday Night, on a local station about twelve years ago, and they said it was an 80s song, and here comes the arguement...LOL However this same station played these on 70s Saturday Night:

1. Coming Up-Paul McCartney
2. Never Knew Love Like This Before-Stephanie Mills
3. Coming Up-Paul McCartney
4. Fame-Irene Cara
5. Cars-Gary Numan (at least this was a hit in the UK in 1979, but in the US it debuted, and peaked in 1980)
6. Super Freak-Rick James (Summer of 1981)

I said if you played these on seventies Saturday Night, how come not "Video" which really was? However these DJs get it assbackwards as usual. Who cares what people think they remember, the facts are the facts, and you can't re-write history of what REALLY happened.

People may consider this an 80s song however no matter how you slice it, it IS actually a seventies song, (released in the seventies, peaked in the seventies) In fact it was on the US charts for TEN weeks, and only two of them were in the 80s. (1-5-80, it was #84), on 1-12-80 it moved up one to #83), and then fell off.

I agree. The Buggles version is a 70's song through and through. The Bruce Woolley version was an 80's song. It reached our charts here in Canada in January of 1980

The Buggles


Adventures In Modern Recording & Age Of Plastic

full length songs....

{Copy & past link}

http://home.comcast.net/%7Eemailsforpay/rockZ/A_B/buggles.html



Dan