Which song was the first music video broadcast on MTV in the United States?
Answer
Video Killed the Radio Star
“Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first music video broadcast on MTV in the United States.
The Buggles song opened MTV’s U.S. service at 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 1981. Its choice was especially fitting because the lyrics reflect anxiety about new technology changing the music business, while MTV itself represented a major change in how audiences encountered popular music.
The video was directed by Russell Mulcahy and features futuristic studio imagery, including a robot-like figure and television equipment. Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes wrote and recorded the song with Bruce Woolley.
A common mix-up is confusing MTV’s first U.S. broadcast with MTV Europe’s launch in 1987. MTV Europe opened with Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing,” which is a different milestone. The Buggles’ song remains one of the most recognizable opening moments in music-television history.