Which 1979 song by The Buggles became the first music video shown on MTV?

The Buggles’ 1979 song “Video Killed the Radio Star” became the first music video shown on MTV.

The song was written by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley. Its lyrics reflect anxiety that television and recorded video would change the way audiences discovered performers and reduce the importance of radio personalities.

The single topped the charts in several countries and became The Buggles’ best-known recording. In the United States, it was their only Billboard Hot 100 hit, reaching number 40. The song gained an additional place in music history when MTV launched on August 1, 1981, with its video as the channel’s opening selection.

The title does not mean that radio literally disappeared. Radio remained an important medium, while music videos became a powerful promotional tool. The Buggles’ futuristic visual style helped make the song especially appropriate for MTV’s debut.