WHAT THE?!| FIRST TIME HEARING The Styx - Mr. Roboto REACTION

[@AB2B]

Mr. Roboto, teaching an entire generation of people how to say "Thank You Very Much" in Japanese. The name Kilroy mostly came from WWII, when the graffiti (you have to look up a picture, it's hard to describe) "Kilroy was here" became a morale booster for the exhausted US troops. When soldiers landed on a beachhead, they would often find this graffiti on a wall or fence (probably done by an advance reconnaissance team). As WWII went on, the saying "Kilroy was here" became a symbol and statement of pride which carried the message that no place or country was beyond the reach of America's strength. They even had the saying painted on the side of missiles, which spooked the enemy. Supposedly Hitler and Stalin were rather paranoid of "Kilroy"; Hitler thought "Kilroy" was a master spy since so many confiscated weapons had the saying on them, and Stalin even told his special police to hunt down and shoot "Kilroy" when he found the graffiti in a bathroom stall.

[@danarussell1291]

This song was the beginning of the end of Styx as we the fans loved them!! I hated this song!!!

[@nonenone3257]

@@danarussell1291, I can't even bring myself to turn up the sound.

[@markmatthews4481]

I saw Kilroy Was Here all over Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels in Germany in the mid 80's, old partly demolished buildings you can tell were bombed out years ago. At the time I didn't know the meaning. Great song from an amazing band. Glad I caught a Styx concert, it was great!!

[@tjhunger5656]

@@danarussell1291 I'm not a big fan of Styx to me they seem to try a little bit too hard but mr. Roboto to me is preferable to some of the yacht songs they've put out

[@Uriahjw]

You gave me a fun fact about the " kilroy was here" title. Thanks, oddly enough I was watching an old Bugs Bunny cartoon where he was shot to the moon and on one of the rocks was " kilroy was here".

[@douglasbriel6103]

It's ahead of it's time, warning of technology replacing humanity.

[@kendrap-LvnHppnss6371]

STYX!!! Tommy Shaw and Dennis DeYoung have such killer vocals! I still think they should have been inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...they were robbed, hoodwinked and bamboozled... Babe, Come Sail Away, Mr. Roboto, Best of Times...were their classics

[@CharleneRoozRE]

Absolutely!

[@Uriahjw]

To me all the hall of fames have become a farce. Whether it's thr Rock and Roll hall of fame or the NFL hall of fame. They have lost their standard and reasons for inducting.

[@LiberalsArePoop]

@@Uriahjw I agree 100%. Like every other institution, it ended up being plagued by favoritism and personal politics.

[@Embur12]

Please take Babe out of that list...easily their most annoying song.

[@Yellowjjacket]

@@LiberalsArePoop Yep! The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has outdone itself as far as being political. They are the worst. I'm surprised ELO actually got in. 🙄🙄

[@michaelastorga3187]

With Artificial Intelligence today. Dennis De Young was 40 years ahead of his time with this song. Styx is so great. This was my 3rd record I got as kid in 1983

[@MustardSeedish]

I don't care what anyone says, I love this song. I heard this on the radio back in 83' and ran to the record store. It's amazing how music is a time machine. Your reactions were so much fun.

[@elainesoto1567]

This is my go to song for when I am depressed.

[@rodb9275]

This was absolutely my favorite Styx song

[@danlayne9436]

I can't stand it... but I love that you love it. I completely understand. 🙂

[@Shootingstarcomics]

It’s my ringtone

[@RandomFandomDragon]

I'm with you, I love this song. Maybe because I have good memories attached to it, but I'll always stop and listen if I hear it =)

[@davidwebb091370]

heard this song back in the day when it came out! What an awesome song and band!

[@tombanaski3251]

This song/album was the beginning of the split for Styx. Dennis DeYoung wanted to go the direction of a more stage oriented type of music, and his band wanted to go/stay more towards pure rock. All talented guys, but this was what split them up. If you want to hear some true classic Styx music, please do the original version of "Lady" from 1973 (the remake is not quite as good) or "Boat on the River" or "Lorelei"---these are true classics and I think you will love them! On a side note, "Lady" was written by Dennis DeYoung and it made it onto the radio and became their first hit. Here is an interview with Dennis DeYoung about the origin of the song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWPTn6yaqs2ZoK8

[@theresecaiazza7240]

Always love that song Lady. I bought that album a long time ago.

[@unklesalty3732]

Shaw was old-school when it came to rock. DeYoung basically has a choke hold on the band like a dictator. Shaw was creatively neutered in Styx and eventually left and formed the Damn Yankees with Ted Nugent. During Yankees concerts Nugent would take shots at DeYoung by making fun of Babe.

[@drwalker6517]

Worst Styx song ever. Can’t believe the band allowed DeYoung to go down this path.

[@carla68]

Lady is such a beautiful sweet romantic song.

[@bnparts90]

This really turned off the hard rockin Styx fans, me included. Dennis took the band over the cliff, never to recover.

[@NatureLoverBooks]

"I'm sorry I can't, baby, I can't take you seriously talking to me like that" as she gently removes the robot sunglasses. The look on his face was precious.

[@CardiacCat]

This was SO controversial when it came out. You either hated it or loved it. I always just accepted it like a change in the music trends. I think many Styx fans felt like it was a train wreck more or less. But honestly, this was written so long ago, and look where we are today with technology. Everyone has become de-humanized, and with every "new thing" they are trying to take more and more of your human control and rights away using technology. You guys are too young to understand, but when this came out we didn't have computers at all (only big businesses) and there was no such thing as cell phones or tablets or the internet. Yet we were all very socially connected - face to face conversations and interactions. It's amazing how many of the songs that Styx produced are actually very meaningful in our current time.

[@statnerd9263]

I loved this song when it came out, but you are correct - it is one of those songs that people either loved or hated (even within the band itself).

[@christophernugent3146]

It's definitely very different to something like Renegade. But it's like a whole thing of its own. Pretty much hits the peak 80s vibe, doing the robot dance, everything else. It's iconic and genre defining. I guess I'm saying I can see why it was controversial and a bit jarring for fans, but it's a whole new thing for different sorts of fans

[@charlessalzman4377]

I loved is when it came out but I was going on 13 and was already getting into New Wave. And this felt like the logical progression from prog rock and disco into New Wave, especially the side that was playing with synths or heavy distortion. Just like the Heavy synth New Wave progressed into House, Trance, Industrial, and Electronica.

[@silikon2]

I was 13 and actually found it SCARY when it came out, but I did really like it. The sound is ominous and also I hadn't the slightest idea what much of it even meant, of course. Didn't have access to the music video back then. ;)

[@tonyamccuen6852]

The entire Kilroy album was more like an opera rather than a typical rock album. Think of Mr. Roboto more like an aria. One character singing their thoughts and feelings. Dennis DeYoung is on an entire different plane of existence with this one.

[@KathysIndieZoNe]

It was way ahead of its time. Dennis DeYoung was and is a genius. People forget during this time the US was losing markets in engineering and tech to Japan. People were afraid the rising Sun flag was going to fly over US cities as Sony and other corporations moved in.

[@joshuatift4640]

Was it made into a movie??

[@chrissmith7669]

He wanted to write a rock opera the rest of the band hated the direction he was pushing them. Broke up right after that

[@W4TB]

Mr. Roboto is part of a larger rock opera with its own story. Kilroy is an escaped prisoner. He is disguised as Mr. Roboto. I recommend “Don’t Let it End” for a reaction.

[@scottNNJ]

Oh wow… I haven’t heard “Don’t Let it End” in so many years - I’d completely forgotten about it. Definitely showcases the vocals, if my childhood memory of the song is still intact.

[@bgcloon]

Kilroy's full name is "Robert Orin Charles Kilroy" (very subtle initials there) and the whole rock opera revolves around an organization that manages to get rock music banned and makes him a fugitive. Unfortunately, it's not very well written and they tried to stage it like a play when they toured, which no one but Dennis Deyoung liked. Great music, great album, but Deyoung's control freakery about it killed the group.

[@carla68]

Listen to the whole album at once to get the story.

[@kathyrutherford4485]

I love Cold War ,it almost applies to the world today

[@mikeharris3733]

Why the second best song on a mediocre album when they have so much better work?

[@LaptopLarry330]

"Mr. Roboto" was released as a single in February, 1983, and was part of their album, "Kilroy Was Here". The musical environment was changing. New Wave music and Techno-Pop music, and the use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments was changing the musical landscape. Styx was addressing some of this "techno-fear" that was taking place in America at that time. The lead singer, Dennis DeYoung, was also dealing with some mental health issues of his own (and still does to this day), which was a major influence for the lyrics to this song, and others songs on the "Kilroy Was Here" album.

[@olripper2700]

If you guys like the robotic tempo of this song, check out "Whip It" by DEVO. It came out around 1980. Make sure it's the official video version, if possible. The lamp shades they wear on their heads are... well, just check it out.

[@auntieevil9324]

ENERGY DOMES, SPUD.

[@thesilverhawaiian5024]

They MUST do Uncontrllable urge for Devo

[@calebclunie4001]

The Energy Domes, were based on a Art Decco lamp design. At Ten Minutes, and Twenty Seven Seconds into the following video, you will find out which lamps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7Jkp5mr9BketU

[@unrulyjulie4382]

Yes... please do "Whip It". It's a hoot!

[@olripper2700]

@@auntieevil9324 LAMP SHADES, SPUD

[@tigerwarsawband]

Saw Dennis sing in concert in 2019. 70ish year old man still sounds incredible. The sound of this song was cutting edge when it came out.

[@lindasokolowski8506]

I agree. I just watched him a couple years ago ata Styx concert. They all sound great.

[@dawggirl]

It was such a terrific reaction but I died laughing at Jay's love for the glasses and Amber having none of it, even when he took them back at the end. 😂🤣 It was just so funny and you guys certainly made me smile so thank you! (as Styx would say)

[@nealm6764]

She wasn't thrilled with his robot dance either. LOL!

[@adgato75]

Lol , straight up couples energy. "Baby , I can't with these glasses." LOL

[@bankbarcomo806]

4:30 those glasses ARE PERFECT!!

[@canonfodder2068]

You have reacted to "Come Sail Away" and "Renegade" -- if you liked their more rock side, try "Blue Collar Man." Their album covers were beautifully surreal and inspired me to become an artist so I could design for record companies someday. Little did I know, by the time I graduated college, vinyl albums had faded away.

[@billdurfy2110]

Yes, I felt every line of Blue Collar man.

[@buckeyesweller]

You can add Crystal Ball and Suite Madam Blue.

[@joeday4293]

Tommy Shaw, the pride of Montgomery, Alabama. Check out the first song he brought into the band when he joined: "Crystal Ball."

[@mattharvell9494]

Yes! Blue collar man.

[@BabsisHere]

We're only lacking a microchip and something to alter our DNA......LOL Our wish is their command HEY WAIT JUST A MINUTE..... I think someone may have started already 😳 😉😂

[@gpreactions3194]

Incredible lyrics that transcend the decades. Works on so many levels, and what a fantastic voice. Super reaction xxx

[@Shrykespeare]

I remember MTV airing a kind of mini-movie that was apparently a full-length video when this was released. It was awesome. You need to do "Lady", "Lorelei", "Babe", "Too Much Time On My Hands", "The Best of Times" and "Show Me the Way". Dennis DeYoung's voice is one of the best of all time, no doubt (check out his solo hit, "Desert Moon")! P.S. "Domo arigato" literally means "thank you very much" in Japanese. One other thing to keep in mind is that this song came out in the early 80s, when the Internet didn't exist, personal computers and cell phones had barely been invented... heck, this came out not long after Space Invaders became the hottest video game in the country! Truly ahead of its time...

[@earth2kosmickitty]

Omg u just transported me back to my junior year in High school! MTV, Styx, Space Invaders oh my! 🥰🥰🥰

[@nathanclarke2777]

This was part of a whole big thing! The album was strange but this is such an amazing song! I do it when I go to Karaoke!

[@gammaanteria]

I remember there were at least two other videos: "Heavy Metal Poisoning" (with an unusual--for the MTV-era--lead vocal from guitarist James Young, as a maniacal fundamentalist preacher) and "Don't Let It End" which also was a pretty big hit. I think the album also has a backwards message on it somewhere in Latin--I remember someone discussing it on the radio at the time...

[@danarussell1291]

It almost got them killed at a monster jam festival in Texas!! Look up Tommy Shaw talking about it!!! 😂

[@librarylady13]

"Grand Illusion" is also a great song. So is "Lady", "The Best Of Times", "Fooling Yourself", "Babe", "Lorelei", "Show Me The Way", "Blue Collar Man" and "Too Much Time On My Hands". Love Tommy Shaw!

[@nathangleed2790]

Half Penny, Two Penny is another one to add that awesome list

[@STOCKHOLM07]

Lorelei is my favorite, outside of Come Sail Away

[@charlessimpson9262]

You left out renegade

[@chriso6719]

Domo Arigato is Japanese for Thank You very much. This was 1983 and was part of the rock opera Kilroy Was Here. Try Too much Time On My Hands next Jay, those shades fit perfect for this song. lol

[@mjw1976]

Yeah, they definitely gotta do "too much time on my hands"!!

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

We'd all still be slaves if Roger Orrin Charles Kilroy (R.O.C.K.) hadn't led the revolution against the robot overlords.

[@jollyrodgers7272]

As if the mini-series SHOGUN didn't teach us much more Japanese 6 years earlier - the Young'uns and dumbards could only handle Domo Arigato.

[@AnOldYoungGuy]

Actually, "domo arigato" just means "thank you". "Domo arigatogozaimasu" means "thank you very much".

[@michaelcamp5513]

Loved this song. Was super popular and introduced me to Styx when I was in 6th grade. Voice is amazing.

[@tylermorrison7051]

I was also in 6th/7th grade at that time. The good old days!

[@nicholasojohnson5405]

This is the hit song off of “Kilroy Was Here”, the concept album which caused the group to first split up. The concept was a dystopian timeline where Rock music is outlawed. Each member of the group was to play a part in the play, with Dennis DeYoung playing Kilroy, the main character, a man framed for killing a man protesting his rock concert. Kilroy escapes by disabling a Roboto guard and dressing like it. The song is about him escaping to meet the resistance. Domo Arigato is Japanese for Thank you very much. The concept is fighting for free speech and expression against an oppressive government. The album split fans as well as the group. Many fans hate the album and just as many love it.

[@Kayjee17]

I loved it and saw them live in concert when they were touring for this album. It started with a short movie about the dystopian future in this album and then led to them performing this song first before putting on an "outlawed concert" of all their greatest hits. It was campy and fun and I waited overnight in line to get tickets. Dennis DeYoung - lead singer and the guy singing this song - moved on to a semi-successful solo career after the band broke up before writing a beautiful stage musical about the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I love all of their music, but this album will always be my favorites because it was the first time I'd heard Styx.

[@GrantReedIII]

I was one of the ones that liked this album. The album, starting with Mr. Roboto, was an interesting story. From the same album, "Don't Let it End" and "Just Get Through This Night" were great compositions,/I also have a guilty pleasure with "Heavy Metal Poisoning," though it really isn't heavy metal.

[@ThemeOfSecrets]

I saw that tour and they presented it as a stage show, like Broadway. It was incredible!

[@larrywright6214]

Kind of appropriate for today, with Big Tech taking over. Banning speech they disagree with and kicking people off their platforms for telling the truth because it does not follow the narrative they Big Tech Overlords have deemed to be THEIR truth. We need to fight back while we can, because we are losing our freedom of speech and even freedom of thought.

[@3DJapan]

*doumo

[@stevemariman8769]

Great reaction! Love the glasses, and Domo Origato! ("thank you [both] very much!") There's lots more Styx songs too..."Show Me the Way"..."Nothing Ever Goes As Planned"..."The Grand Illusion"..."Too Much Time On My Hands"..."Why Me?"..."The Best of Times"..."Lady"..."Rockin' the Paradise"..."Babe"..."Light Up"

[@gregwatson3300]

I would strongly recommend "The Grand Illusion" by Styx.

[@davedave8602]

Agree...my favorite album from Styx. The title song is great, but so is just about everything on the album.

[@screwyootube1]

Yes, the entire Grand Illusion is brilliant! This is when Styx was at the top of their game!

[@skatter44]

Strongly agree!

[@ericsmith6615]

The Wife here..Getting total roller rink flashbacks..I've always loved Styx..Seen them with REO Speedwagon in 2000..They still can Rock the House!!

[@jamielandis4308]

“Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man)” is the song to listen to. The studio version is Styx’s best, though Tommy Shaw does a fantastic orchestral version with a High School aged orchestra.

[@carolgerlt7183]

The whole band played with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. I love the rock side of Styx, not this theatrical side.

[@abelincoln3287]

I agree, definitely my favorite

[@kentmains7763]

I was one of those fans who didn't like this at all when it was released but have changed my mind over the years. Got to see Dennis DeYoung perform this live a few years ago and he brought the house down with it.

[@Nel80s]

"Crystal Ball" by Styx is a great song

[@buckbuchanan4902]

The song that encapsilated my Junior High and High School days, was "Best of Times" by Styx. It is the first song I remember being able to sing all the lyrics to. It was the song that reminds me of my best friends, my first love, and one of the most carefree, happy times of my life.

[@kbusby4824]

Saw Styx in 1979. Great band from my home state of Illinois. I highly recommend Crystal Ball, Suite Madame Blue, Miss America, Best of Times, Queen of Spades, Lorelei, Snowblind, and Babe.

[@selecttoursnyc7787]

Love all of these!

[@stanforddailey3103]

My friend and I saw Styx live in Atlanta when they were touring for this album. Awesome show!!! Of course, the hallucinagenics we had taken that evening probably enhanced the show! A very memorable concert!!

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

"Desert Moon" by Dennis DeYoung of Styx is one of the greatest "reminiscing" songs/videos of all time.

[@Malryth]

Agreed!! It's a really great song!!

[@talon7132]

I absolutely agree , also my favorite song with him singing

[@laurakali6522]

Nostalgia at it’s best.

[@jeffe4297]

The music video was really good as well.

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

@@jeffe4297 Oh yes, the video really makes the song hit. Almost like a mini movie.

[@charlesrichardson8684]

Always loved Styx and this song. Keep up the great work guys!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jayrtee]

Love your reaction. "I want to thank you. Please, thank you" is a lyric I still hear in my head 40 years later.

[@rogermasa]

I was 12 when the song played for the first time on radio and a Styx fan since 1977 (I was 7). My initial reaction was the same as yours: “WTF!!!” A HUGE shift in their sound and very cryptic lyrics because there was no context for the song when it came out. Only when you went to see their show did it make sense. You can see the feature film on Dennis DeYoung’s channel.

[@BillGraper]

Great tune! I love how they stepped outside the box & dared to do something different. This spent 2 weeks at #3, so it was a big hit.

[@mitziesanders9840]

I have grown up with Styx. Saw them 3 times. Saw Dennis DeYoung, the main lead singer/songwriter more recently. Love “Lorelei” and “Babe”.

[@marktubbs8033]

It was a concept album. There was like a 15 minute movie that played at the beginning of the concert to give you background info. They were on stage 8n costumes in the same position as they were in at the end of the movie.

[@kimodell101]

I’m a huge Styx nerd🤓 this is a concept album. On this tour there was a short film before the concert started. It makes this album make soooo much more sense to someone coming into this for the first time. It’s the beginning of the end of Styx and it always makes me sad… but I will always love this album! Also Amber love the shirt❤️❤️ I had his poster on my wall as a kid😁

[@jscho8674]

Styx nerd here too. :)

[@drewrosecrans9728]

Love Styx since 1976 crystal ball album 🤘 I was 9 year's old!

[@jessegreenwood1956]

This is laid out this way because the album "Kilroy was Here" was envisioned as a "Rock Opera" of sorts...a concept album to tell a story with and probably a live stage production and matching videos. Styx were "kind of" moving this direction already as could be seen by the elaborate stage and story of the "Paradise Theatre" tour. Styx came to Oklahoma City every year. For several years I missed them every time because I was on a swim team and we had teh same swim meet on teh same weekend like four years in a row. When I quit swimming I finally caught Styx in OKC at the Myriad for the "paradise Theatre". Spectacular!

[@twenty3enigma]

This video is an example of just why there was a rift in the band between Dennis DeYoung (the front man in this video) and guitarists Tommy Shaw & James "J.Y." Young. DeYoung had a thing for musical theater, but the guitarists we're rockers at heart. DeYoung eventually left the band. If you want to hear them rocking out, check out Blue Collar Man, with Tommy Shaw singing. Those wrap around shades are so 80s that you gave me a flashback, Jordan. I graduated from HS in '79, so the 80s were the 1st decade of my being unleashed upon the world. I had an insane amount of fun, most of which I remember.

[@Malryth]

Great reaction to another Styx song!! You can feel the 80's vibe for sure in this song. I loved those robotic sunglasses you were wearing and started moving your arms like the robot dance thing from the 80's.

[@lizzi10606]

Oh my word I am so happy this is crazy… I just realized I can zoom in on these reaction videos and see amber and j rock out to these amazing tunes… so now I can go back and rewatch some of my favorite tunes… so as Styx says in this jam “ thank you thank you 6:45 #robsquadreactions

[@bigdavezilla]

I am loving the shades. This is one of my favorite Styx songs. "Blue Collar Man" is another great song by them.

[@inkmastertim]

There are so many great Styx Songs! Earlier ones like "Lady", later ones like this one, and a bunch in between, like "Grand Illusion", "Babe", "First Time" , "Paradise Theater", "I'm Okay, " and so many more!

[@dmel911]

I was a huge Styx fan in the 70's and early 80's. Saw them in concert a couple of times. Then came the album "Kilroy was here" with the single "Mr Roboto" It really signaled the beginning of the end for the band, in my eyes anyway.

[@Pixelologist]

In MANY people's eyes.

[@johnmrog]

Because you were one of the Tommy Shaw Teen Boy morons. If you look at the HISTORY of Styx, its greatest success and *most* hit songs were due to Dennis DeYoung. But you blonde-guitarist fan-boys just wanted to fake-rock like everybody else in the 70's. Thank goodness for DD's direction for Styx to make that band as great as it was and to ignore the musical morons like you and your TS hero.

[@jscho8674]

I agree with you. Styx was my very favorite band, and Dennis Deyoung blew it to smithereens.

[@johnmrog]

@@jscho8674 The Teen Boy Moron's chime in yet again. DDY *was* Styx. If you doubt it, check out the songs by Styx that charted. Guess who the vast majority were written and sung by? Hint: NOT YOUR BLONDE TEENY-BOPPER HERO.

[@TheHillbilly79]

Just found you guy's here, absolutely a big fan of your material. This song came out in early 80's, we were just learning about computers. They was ahead of they're time explaining that technology was taking over. This was a time when machines were starting to replace ppl's jobs. My wife and i just saw Styx, REO Speedwagon and Loverboy in concert aug. '22 all was awesome. You guy's keep rocking!!

[@marksiracusa6114]

Hey guys, thanks for this reaction. You have to listen to this whole concept album to understand the full meaning of this song. Kilroy is trying to save music , art and self - expression in a post apocalyptic world where free thinking is against the law. Amazing song on this masterpiece.

[@ziggylove9]

My parents went to this concert when I was a kid and bought the concert VHS. The concert was acted out by the band in a rock musical theme. They were in the future and robots were in control of society. It was pretty cool for the time.

[@kaylenesyberjedi9690]

Listen to the entire album which this song comes from, which is titled "Kilroy Was Here", released in 1983.It was a concept album that actually tells a story. If you can, also track down a copy of their concert video "Caught In The Act" which will give you more of the story where the visuals in this video are concerned.

[@wordgiesworld5483]

There was also a short movie, Kilroy Was Here that told the story. The band members played the bulk of the characters (James Young played a killer Dr. Righteous). It also had Robert Romanus (Mike Damone from Fast Times at Ridgemont Hight) and Michael Winslow. Super cheesy, typical 80’s movie.

[@kanesdisciple]

Man I love this song. This is one of my top 20 rock songs, thank you for your reaction to it.

[@brentcox7772]

Awesome! They were the backup band @ my first concert in ‘74!! State Fairgrounds in OKC, Black Oak Arkansas!!🤘🔥

[@joeday4293]

Now THAT'S a weird double bill, LOL.

[@brentcox7772]

@@joeday4293 General Admission front row!! Yeah strange combination!

[@lynnhettrick7588]

Styx contacted you?! Awesome! This reminds me of junior high school so much. I think everyone drew a "Kilroy was here" image on their school folders. This was also around the time of "1984" and "Big Brother" (not the reality show). I always related this song to that.

[@Roguefem76]

This song makes more sense when you take into account it's part of a concept album, telling a story about a rebellion in a more mechanized future. If you want to react to a really great standalone song, "Paradise" is a beautiful power ballad that really showcases Dennis's vocal talent. "Blue Collar Man" is a great Tommy song, rock with a little country feel, and "Snowblind" more hard rock. They were an amazingly versatile band in their heyday!

[@timm9631]

Definitely one of my faves from the 80's. When you mentioned you did this song, I HAD to watch!!!

[@davidnichols5990]

OMG! I was a sophomore in high school when this album came out! So many great memories 😁

[@MustardSeedish]

I was also a sophomore. Class of 86.

[@bradleypaulus2926]

We were watching MTV when this debuted. Everyone was in shock - one girl said, "That's Styx?" Half loved it, half hated it. I still love it and the album is very good.

[@tedcole9936]

Hilarious reaction. Rob: “So he took his robot suit off?” Fantastic. Love the robotic shades!

[@thestones8022]

A.I...... STILL RELEVANT...THIS SONG WAS 40 YEARS AHEAD OF IT'S TIME.

[@Dogoodgetgoodkarma]

This is such an amazing band!!! Great video guys!!! Cheers xo

[@billbufford2320]

Paradise Theater from 1981 was their last really great album release, IMO. Could put that on and not skip a single song.

[@kraig7777]

Equinox before that is also an album where every song is great.

[@GeoffTrowbridge]

Actually, their most recent albums "The Mission" and "Crash of the Crown" are very, very good. But yes, "Paradise Theater" was the pinnacle.

[@dagmar.6954]

Great rock band from the 70's-80's. They had so many great songs such as "Lady", "Lorelei", "Suite Madame Blue", "Renegade", "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)", "Babe", "The Best of Times", "Too Much Time On My Hands", "Show Me The Way", "Don't Let It End", "Why Me", "Borrowed Time", "Rockin' The Paradise" etc.

[@screwyootube1]

Props for mentioning "Borrowed Time", which I always thought was criminally-underrated, and unjustly ignored! Another forgotten gem from Cornerstone, was Never Say Never! With those two great rockers, you can almost forget it also contained the cheesy "Babe"! 😉

[@pcallas66]

The Best of Times, Too Much Time On My Hands, Blue Collar Man, Snowblind, Babe, and Lady are some more classics. Lady was their first hit I believe in 1974. The singer, Dennis DeYoung is playing all of those synthesizer parts as well. The lineup for that album is Dennis DeYoung, vocals and keyboards (including piano), James Young, vocals and lead guitar, Tommy Shaw, vocals and lead guitar, John Panozzo - drums (may he rest in peace) and Chuck Panozzo - Bass and backing vocals.

[@IggyStardust1967]

If you can find it, you should check out the "Styx: Caught in the Act Live", which puts the entire album's concept in video form. Edit: Dennis DeYoung "separated" from Styx and went solo. I remember he had one absolutely brilliant song called "Desert Moon", and you guys should definitely check out the video for that one.

[@theresecaiazza7240]

Yes I have this video. Also it is a bit funny in some parts. But, it is serious issue when you listen to it and think about when this was actually put out. Also, look at what has changed not about the group, But about the world and technology now. But, totally love the song, video you are talking about here. The way they performed it on stage was and is awesome.

[@IggyStardust1967]

@@theresecaiazza7240 Oh, absolutely! So much of it's predictions have come true about technology. Not just this song, but the entire concept album. The only things we're missing are Musical Morality bunch, or whatever they were called. Lead by "Dr. Righteous", I believe. Speaking of concept albums that are more relevant now than they were when they were made, are you familiar with Queensryche's "Operation: Mindcrime"? The underlying story of that has gotten to the point of being close to reality.

[@andrewura1956]

MTV aired the concert/video right after the tour ended, once. I missed it due to an after school activity and spent the next 35 odd years trying time find it. Finally got it a couple of years ago through Amazon

[@IggyStardust1967]

@@andrewura1956 Yeah, I got ahold a bootleg of that airing some years back. I loved the stage show, even though it drove Tommy Shaw nuts. I think I see a copy of it on Amazon, so I'll probably buy it when we can. Thanks for that pointer!

[@MyASMR777]

one of my favorite songs as a kid...I remember walking up to KMart to buy this tape....lol great reactions!!! keep them coming!

[@paulwalker9421]

love some Styx but" Blue Collar Man" ," Too Much Time On My Hands" and cover of I am The walrus are some of my favorites. thank you

[@jessortiz8181]

Mr. Roboto was the first song that introduced me to Styx in early 1983 and I have been a fan of the group ever since. I of course had to go backwards and learn all the other songs by Styx like fooling yourself, Come sail away with me, which is another one of my Styx songs and Renegade, Too much time on my hands, Blue Collared Man, Babe, I loved Tommy Shaw's guitar playing and singing in Styx as well as Dennis Deyoung's singing Voice in the band as well.

[@scottgroth8739]

I had this album on cassette (yes, I'm that old) when it first came out. I played it so much I wore it out. Got it on cd later. I always wished they'd turn it into a movie. Every song on Kilroy Was Here was like another chapter of the story, and you couldn't help but to be engrossed in the journey it took you on. I don't know if STYX ever realized what a remarkable thing they'd done creating this album, this story. I could literally visualize every part from their descriptive storytelling.

[@RobertSmith-js2kz]

For some reason this song haunts me. I would have been 12 at the time, I would listen to it OVER and OVER, staring at the album art (which lines up with the video seen here) and get lost in it. It was a trip. Can still sing every word like it was yesterday. You need to check out "Don't Let It End" from the same album.

[@steve9199]

"Roboto" was Dennis De Young trying to write music that would play on Broadway, or be used as a movie soundtrack.

[@DjMistoffelees]

It wasn't even expected to be the breakout hit that it was.

[@bdmention]

Which the rest of the band hated. The band didn't last much longer with this line up after this.

[@melvinsmiley5295]

Love the 80s shades J ! Styx is just cool….such performers along with the vocals. To me it’s the 80s for Classic Rock and the 90s for Country and somewhere in between we had some great Hip Hip tunes. I love so many genres…a great song is just a great song!

[@Summermute7]

“Kilroy was here.” You used to see that as graffiti back when I was a kid in the 70s, though it started much earlier. Love this song. Thanks for checking it out!

[@kenqb5450]

It was used during WWII after the Americans GIs went across Europe.

[@mariasparano9860]

I was a teenager in the 80s. I loved the song when it first came out and I still love it 40 years later. I had the Kilroy Was Here album and I played this song on my record player more than any of the other songs on the album

[@yeahboiii6640]

Absolutely love the shades! They're spot on for this song! I think you are ready to watch some knight rider! If you haven't watched give it a look you will know what I mean. This song is a classic. Loved it then and now. Next song to fit the narrative would be Pink Floyd - Welcome to the Machine.

[@chrispeek8412]

I never imagined Styx using a mandolin and an accordion as their main instruments...but they do in their song "Boat on the River". They do a great job !

[@Kelson64]

Here’s the story about the song. It is from the concept album “Kilroy Was Here”, which is about the censorship of music. The concert starts with a 15 minute movie. Basically the singer of this song Dennis DeYoung (who plays Kilroy) is framed for the murder of the Moral Majority and thrown in prison. The prison guards are “Robotos”. Kilroy disables a Roboto, steals its clothes and mask, and disguises himself as the Roboto to escape prison. He then teams with Jonathan Chance (Tommy Shaw) to battle against Dr. Righteous (James Young) and the moral majority. This song is literally about Kilroy disguising himself as a Roboto. This album was the last album by the classic lineup of Styx. The group hated this album so much that they didn’t reunite for over a decade. They even dismissed DeYoung from the band s couple of years later,, and this album had a lot to do with it. For many years, the band refused to play this song in concerts.

[@francisseidel8014]

You don't know what you are talking about. Dennis said that everyone agreed to the project. If they had not, then it would have not moved forward. Tommy Shaw was the only one who had a fit about the tour for this album and was unprofessional in the way he quit in 1983 mid-tour, throwing his guitar and walking off stage at the Capitol Center in Washington DC. The rest of the band wanted to replace Tommy and continue on but it was Dennis who didn't want to go on without Tommy and to give him time to come back. Dennis has told this story many times and you choose to ignore it. Roboto on a VW commercial, Come Sail Away on South Park, and Lady on Freaks A Geeks (all Dennis penned songs) were responsible for Styx music resurgence and reaching new generations. You may not like Mr. Roboto but the numbers say it is one of their best known songs.

[@toddalderson7050]

I'm a huge Styx fan...and I think D. DeYoung is an amazing talent. But ultimately I think he is the reason Styx wasn't taken as seriously as they should have been taken by critics (and some fans).

[@dsy4919]

Yall are so fun to jam with! Lolol took his space shades! 🤣 and you didn’t skip at all lol I love it!

[@IceManTX69]

This is a classic that deserves the volume knob to be turned to near full. Don't Let It End is also a great one from this album.

[@lethiapage4767]

I think don't let it end was a Dennis deyoung solo track! It was great song and I picked that out meticulously on the piano.

[@pauletters225]

of all the live performances i've seen, Dennis Deyoung has a voice and range that will send chills up your back, make your hair stand up and just blow your mind. I was an old styx fan from before mr roboto, but i really didn't mind the digression. It was Dennis's baby and in the genre of of the Who's Tommy, Quadraphenia and pink Floyds The wall as a rock opera.

[@aleatharhea]

LOL I never knew Styx did this song. Obviously not expecting this from Styx either.

[@johnrodrigues5974]

Dennis De Young is the lead singer. He wrote most of the band’s songs

[@j.jennings1722]

Great song and a #1 hit for Styx, although it did polarize some fans because some of them thought it was too different. I'm glad you dug the song, but y'all should react to "Crystal Ball" which is more like what you're used to, has some hippy vibes and it Rocks out. Please, react to "Roundabout" by Yes. It's a classic that many reactors love and Yes fans will show up for.

[@Jessica_Roth]

A #3, actually. "Babe" was Styx's only #1. (Ironically, although Tommy was much more focused on being a singles artist and Dennis was more into album concepts, it was Dennis who wrote and sang all the biggest hits. Babe was #1, this and "The Best of Times" and "Show Me the Way" all got to #3, "Lady" got to #6 (and got them a REAL record deal) and "Come Sail Away" was #8. Tommy's highest-placing song was "Too Much Time on My Hands", at #9.) With thanks to Wikipedia. Obviously.

[@secondchancepilot]

With our phones in hand, iPads, laptops etc. - We are almost part Robot! That's what comes to mind for me with this song. Great piece of art ahead of its time! Back then people may have been using computers at work etc. But not like today!

[@jeffhenry6822]

Wow, this one brings back memories... Styx was my favorite band in the 80s, and remains one of my top 3 to this day. The "Kilroy Was Here" album was a very different turn for the band. It was written as something of a concept album, sort of a mini- rock opera about a futuristic world where technology rules our lives, and music (or maybe just rock music, I don't exactly remember) is illegal. If you hear the whole album, it becomes much clearer, something you don't really get if you listen to just one or two of the songs. Tragically, this was also the album that destroyed Styx. Dennis De Young (lead singer) wanted to do more of this style of album, but the rest of the band wanted to stick to a more traditional approach. Styx was (imo) a very under-appreciated band compared to many of the other acts of the day, but their music was in some ways very much ahead of its time. Both Dennis De Young and Tommy Shaw are phenomenal singers. I saw them in concert in 1982, during their Paradise Theater tour. It was one of the best concerts I've seen.

[@christhedj72]

i love Styx. one of my favorite songs from them is "Too much Time on my hands" that song reminds me of roller skating back in the day.

[@Herbert04]

Killroy. It's actually a lot of history that goes back to WWII with the British Army. Normally as graffitti on walls Also an old Doctor Who had the Killroy written on a wall. It seemed to reignight a different times in history where it just started all over again. Killroly was here.

[@thegingergyrl455]

I love this song! I have good memories of one of my dearest friends riding around the back roads at night jammin out.

[@tjhunger5656]

どうもありがとうミスターロボット (Dōmo arigatō misutā robotto) 秘密を知りたい (Himitsu o shiritai) The lyrics translate into English as follows: Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto.

[@danusmc3]

Exactly. You beat me to it.

[@joshsmith302]

I'm waiting for their reaction to Nena,-(99 Luftballons)

[@quincee3376]

Thx!

[@chrismcelligott5462]

@@joshsmith302 me too

[@AnOldYoungGuy]

"Himitsu o shiritai" is actually "I want to know the secret".

[@dorothyirby5740]

This was part of a concept album. There is a story behind it. Kilroy was a fugitive that went in hiding in a robot suit for rebelling against technology. Almost like a science fiction story. So much fun.

[@vincentp149]

Dennis is an amazing singer and songwriter, there's no doubt about that. It's interesting to how this song and the album it came from (Kilroy Was Here) have aged. Modern listeners seem to accept it right along with songs like "Come Sail Away", "Renegade", but it seriously damaged Styx career. Their core fans hated it, although I've read that it sold well. It caused a rift in the band that Styx never really recovered from. I love Dennis, not bashing him, his musical instincts were just wrong this time. Their previous release, the concept album "Paradise Theater" is amazing by comparison.

[@billebrooks]

No, no, no. DeYoung's instincts were not wrong; it is the rest of the band that did not realize they had a masterpiece of a song on their hands. It is a shame the band split up, and perhaps DeYoung could have done a better job working out his differences with Shaw and the others. It was really the tour that blew up the band more so than the album anyway. Mr. Roboto is the song the band is most remembered for, and even Shaw no longer denies the impact of this hit.

[@darrinlindsey]

Thank you for finally doing this. It is my favorite 80s song. You have to be ready for anything when it from the 80s

[@waltd6006]

Dennis DeYoung's attempt at a "Rock Opera"... Not their greatest work, but still classic. Give me anything from Pieces of Eight!

[@dasecretformula6179]

My man had his glasses snatched up... 😂 Reminds me of Geordi from Star Trek. I like them.

[@Ncxgroup]

This concept album broke up the band in a lot of ways.

[@rapidgtp]

wow, one of the band members to reach out to you is both incredible and humbling of them!

[@meyers7]

This was one of those songs. Not necessarily a "good" song, but an iconic song. That people must hear at some point. Back in it's day, it was everywhere. Some liked it, some thought it was a train wreck. But a train wreck you can't look away from.

[@YouTubesucksdick]

It's not only a good song. But it's a good song that predicted the future

[@RobertSmith-js2kz]

@@KZbinsucksdick I'll see your good song and raise you a GREAT song ;)

[@colleendebardeleben9167]

haha i loved this song back in the 80s!! I used to play this in the car for my stepdaughters and they thought I was crazy....but I loved jamming to it. It was HUGE in the 80s!

[@zoegartham312]

A) Thanks for watching the music video. It helps make this song make SO much more sense. 2) I would highly, HIGHLY encourage you to look up the history of this song online, on places like SongFAQs and Genius. While you are correct mostly in your assessment of the lyrics... there is so much more to it than you know. Everything I've seen in the comments below is true: It was the beginning of the end of the band, the creative differences began to spike here, this song is NOT what Styx is known for, I believe more people hate this song than like it... it's all true. This was designed to be part of (and the keynote song of) a rock opera, similar to a lot of Meatloaf's songs. I don't have the energy right now to go into the plot of the rock opera, so as I said, I would highly encourage you to research it for yourselves. What I will say is this: So many people dislike this song for many reasons, such as they blame it as the cause for the band splitting up (it wasn't, it may have been the straw that broke the camel's back, but there had to be a lot of other stuff on there as well), it sounds nothing like anything else they have produced, and (likely because of that) it mainstreamed them in the pop culture when the die-hard fans knew Styx was and is a Rock band at heart. Me? I was late to the party, not being introduced to them until the mid/late '90s, and when I was introduced to them, the "Killroy Was Here" album (which is the rock opera I spoke of) was the first one I heard. I fell in love with this song and one other on that album, "Don't Let It End," which then prompted me to look more into the band itself. I found the Styx Greatest Hits album and the rest was history. There's not a bad song on that album, btw. I just wanted to share because so many people talk shit about this song, yet it was how I found all the other hits I love. It's not my favorite song by them anymore, but I still love it. Maybe that is due to me being a big choir/theater-adjacent kid, so the whole concept of the Killroy Was Here rock opera was super cool to me. Anywho, Rock on, friends! And if anyone else wants to post more about the rock opera or respond to anything else I said, feel free to do so.

[@screwyootube1]

I say, kudos to Dennis, for wanting to reach for something bigger than just the same old same old, even if it didn't work out in the end.

[@screwyootube1]

Oh, and I disagree that more people hate Mr. Roboto, than like it. I just think the haters are much more vocal about it.

[@zoegartham312]

@@screwyootube1 You may be entirely correct. I honestly have no way of knowing how many people actually dislike it. However, I will say that based on everything I have seen/read about it, the vast majority of Styx fans would say that Mr. Roboto is nothing like previous Styx music, and more often than not they would say it in a much more negative fashion than I just put it.

[@danielbenincasa770]

From Chicago Styx are from. I saw them 2 times in concert. My older brother who I believe was the age of Dennis. He said just before they broke out he saw them when they were playing High Schools.. Bad ass band!!