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Mr. Roboto

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This article is about a pop song from the 1980s. For other uses, see Mr. Roboto (disambiguation).

"Mr. Roboto" is a song written by Dennis DeYoung and performed by the band Styx on their 1983 concept album Kilroy Was Here. The chorus featured the line, "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto", which has become an unlikely catch phrase. Domo arigato is one of several Japanese phrases that translate to English as "thank you".

Meaning of the song

The purpose of the song is to tell part of the fictitious story of Robert Orin Charles Kilroy (ROCK), and in fact the song is supposedly sung by Kilroy himself. Kilroy is a rock and roll performer who was placed in jail by the anti-rock-and-roll Dr. Righteous (the entire rock musical Kilroy Was Here is in fact an indictment of the moral panic which is often seen to surround rock music). Near the beginning of the story, Kilroy escapes the prison by hiding inside the emptied-out metal shell of one of the ubiquitous "Mr. Roboto"-model robots who do menial jobs in the prison, and this song is Kilroy's dedication to the robot that he (in essence) killed in order to effect his escape. Viewed in this context, the lyrics (which deal with the "modern man" being a melding of machine and flesh and a play on the word "modern") make much more sense.

However, another (suggested) interpretation of the song is said to describe the increasing amounts of factory automation in Japan by robots. DeYoung sings: "The problem's plain to see, too much technology. Machines to save our lives, machines de-humanize" It is also often argued that the first line is actually "machines to save are lies". This is not true due to the fact that the song lyrics are printed "machines to save our lives" on the inside cover of the 1983 record Kilroy Was Here. This may be interpreted as the replacement of human workers with automation and computers, not just in factories, but throughout many businesses during a time of downsizing in the United States in the 1980s. The catch phrase of the song is the sarcastic words of a disgruntled factory worker whose job has been replaced by a robot.[1]

The line "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto"

  • In an episode of King of Queens, the song was heard over the radio in a car ride. The three chracters bobbed their heads as the repitious 'Domo Arigatou...' lyrics began.
  • The Barenaked Ladies song "The King of Bedside Manor" on their 1992 CD, Gordon
  • 'The Ballade of MC Sucka DJ' by The Wildbunch / Electric Six (also on their live album 'Don't Be Afraid of the Robot')
  • An episode of Futurama ("The 30% Iron Chef").
  • Both Queen and Sweet have done remixes,
  • The Japanese band Polysics employs the line as a chorus.
  • In the fifth episode of the second season ("My New Coat") of the TV show Scrubs J.D. walks up to another doctor and says, "Domo arigato, Dr. Amato."
  • Homer Simpson has used the line in a chant when he cheered on Otto in his bowling team to hit a strike.
  • In General Protection Fault's "Sashimi and Teriyaki Steak" series in early Year 5, Nick and Ki go to a Japanese restaurant, and when Ki says "Domo Arigato," Nick chimes in with "Mr. Roboto," something that, according to a waitress, happens quite often.
  • In a Matrix Reloaded spoof created for the 2003 MTV Music Awards, featuring Justin Timberlake and Seann William Scott (Stiffler in American Pie), the Oracle uses the line "Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto" whilst Justin does 'The Robot' dance.
  • In Shrek 2, in the Far Far Away Idol. Pinocchio sings this song and does the robot dance.
  • In Austin Powers in Goldmember, a Japanese man supporting Dr. Evil is known as Mr. Roboto, and the entire phrase is repeated from time to time by various characters.
  • In the movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, when the Japanese team comes out, the announcer says it when they're being eliminated from the dodgeball tournament.
  • In the movie [[Eight Crazy Nights}}, after the Jewish basketball team wins, Whitey sings the song and does a robot dance.

Song played

  • A 1999 Volkswagen commercial starring Tony Hale. In the Arrested Development episode "The Ocean Walker", Tony Hale, playing the character Buster, dances and mimes to the song, in a reference to his prior role in the Volkswagen commercial.
  • The beginning of the first episode of the 2005 Japanese TV series Densha Otoko.
  • The 2005 Jim Carrey film Fun with Dick and Jane when Dick performs the song during a hold-up.
  • Pinocchio croons 'Mr. Roboto' on the new Shrek 2 (2004) DVD. One of the bonus features on the 'Shrek 2' DVD includes an American Idol spoof, complete with Simon, Fione, Shrek, and the cast who watch Pinocchio sing "Mr. Roboto".
  • Internet phenom, Fredryk Phox mimes a section of the song on one of his videos.
  • As background music for one of the awards in the FIRST robotics competition.
  • A parody of the song, Bender Roboto, was recorded by The Great Luke Ski in 2002 for his album Uber Geek. The song is sung from the point of view of Futurama's Bender.

Other

Trivia

  • Mr. Roboto was the only song by Styx to fall into the New Wave genre.
  • Mr. Roboto is Styx' second million selling single following "Babe".
  • Mr. Roboto was #3 in the US and #1 in Canada.
  • The mask of Mr. Roboto was created by Oscar Winning Special Effects legend Stan Winston.
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