# Songs for Robots?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [July 16, 2005, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768 "2005-07-16T04:37:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/1 "2005-07-16T04:37:52Z")
Odd post time.
I was going through my iTunes list the other day, and I was left wondering: what are some good songs…for robots?\*
That is, songs that are either about robots; about robot-like subjects; or sound like they’re being sung or played by robots. (The latter could range anywhere from having an unusual, almost mechanical style or cadence to the singing, or that the vocals are done through a vocoder.)
Androids, A.I.s, and/or full cyborgs would qualify, too.
My picks, so far?
-“Coin Operated Boy”—Dresden Dolls
-“Kill All the Humans”—Rob Crow
-“Fast As You Can”—Fiona Apple
-The version of “Ode to Joy” from _A Clockwork Orange_
So…anyone else have any suggestions?
\*I have an active imagination, and a very weird music collection.
---
### Author:  [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/2 "2005-07-16T04:41:07Z")
How about “The Death of Optimus Prime” by They Might Be Giants? It doesn’t sound particularly robotic, but it is from the perspective of the Autobots.
---
### Author:  [@KJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KJ)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/3 "2005-07-16T04:54:28Z")
- Anything by Daft Punk, especially “Harder Better Faster Stronger”
- Kraftwerk - The Robots
---
### Author:  [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/4 "2005-07-16T05:45:28Z")
**"I, Robot"** , by the [airquotes] Alan Parsons Project [/airquotes].
---
### Author:  [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/5 "2005-07-16T05:47:15Z")
Oh yeah … someone’s gonna bring these two up sooner or later – might as well be me:
**"Iron Man"** by Black Sabbath
**"Mr. Roboto"** by Styx
---
### Author:  [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/6 "2005-07-16T05:49:54Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#):
>
> … an unusual, almost mechanical style or cadence to the singing …[/SIZE]
**"No Parking on the Dance Floor"** by Midnight Star
---
### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/7 "2005-07-16T06:08:58Z")
Down in the Park - Gary Numan. Hell, most of Gary Numans songs could probably qualify.
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### Author:  [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/8 "2005-07-16T06:11:21Z")
Well, just a quick check of my collection brings up:
**Spontaneous Human Combustion** - The Bobs
**Answering Machine** - Common Rotation
**O Superman (for Massenet)** - Laurie Anderson
**I Sing the Body Electric** - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (cover)
**One Tin Soldier** - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (cover)
**Gigantor** - Helmet (cover)
**Metal Machine Music** - Lou Reed
---
### Author:  [@Snag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snag)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/9 "2005-07-16T06:43:53Z")
**Robots for Ronnie** by Crack The Sky
---
### Author:  [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/10 "2005-07-16T06:48:26Z")
[Robot Rock](http://www.live365.com/stations/robot_rock)
---
### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/11 "2005-07-16T07:54:57Z")
Not _exactly_ robots, but since you asked for robotic voice, and some robotic-type voices are used. Here’s a few you can download and listen to, or stream. (I have [permission](http://wretchawry.com/happy/samples/index.html) from the artist to share her music and lyrics.)
This one’s from the point of view of a sentient computer that’s been abandoned at a space station (I assume). There’s nothing for it to do, it’s starting to break down but can’t fix itself, and it wonders if anyone’s ever going to come back.
> [@](#):
>
> [Happy Rhodes - 100 Years (mp3)](http://www.wretchawry.com/happy/samples/HappyRhodes_ManyWorldsAreBornTonight01_100Years.mp3)
>
> With no genetic code, so pathetic am I
> Don’t have the luxury of knowing someday I’ll die
> Is this this the second eden
> Am I the new Adam
>
> Vibrations of loves past, death and inventions…
> all my wards. But they don’t tell me my charge
> Who leaves me
> Who loves me…
> After all?
>
> Little things break, circuitry burns
> Time flies while my little world turns
> Every day comes
> Every day goes
> A hundred years and nobody shows
>
> Call me the sentinel who guards and protects
> Energies come and energies gone
> These memory rifts
> Is this the second eden
> Am I another Eve?
>
> Who does the download when my work is finished here?
> My purpose is unclear…
> Just a simple readout -
> A little final directive would be nice…
> After all
>
> Little things break, circuitry burns
> Time flies while my little world turns
> Every day comes
> Every day goes
> A hundred years and nobody shows
>
> (repeat)
>
> © 1998 Happy Rhodes
The next one’s a science fiction/horror story about an entity that’s causing the subject to go insane. I’ve always thought of it as a nice metaphor for deep depression too. The entity is sometimes represented by a robotic voice.
> [@](#):
>
> [Happy Rhodes - Cohabitants (mp3)](http://www.wretchawry.com/happy/samples/HappyRhodes_Equipoise08_Cohabitants.mp3)
>
> ( So it seems I’m through )
> ( Here I am just looking at you )
>
> i got a feeling we’re gonna be close
> real pals i like the way you shake and
> scream and run away when all i want to
> do is play with your mind to see how
> long it takes before you crack and
> lose your strength i’m gonna be your
> closest friend who else would
> terrorize you…
>
> I’ve not been here before
> I think I’ve unlocked the door
>
> ( I step in between the molecules )
> ( To get me a better look at you )
>
> well i think it would be a good idea for
> you to pretend i’m not here whenever
> people come around or they will make
> you wear a jacket i haven’t quite made
> up my mind whether or not to break the
> skin but i will give you ten to run i
> love to see you ( flinch )…
>
> Run anywhere as fast and as far as you like
>
> I’ve not been here before
> I think I’ve unlocked the door
> to my world
>
> I’m on a holy quest
> I’ll be your most humble guest
>
> when your friends cannot see me
> but you see, what’s that gonna
> say about your sanity
> they’re gonna come and put you in
> a rubber room where i’ll have the
> freedom to GET YOU GET YOU
> i can see it when i look into your
> eyes dear, i will feast on the smell
> of your sweet fear, i know your
> mommy said there weren’t any devils
> but this little earth comes with
> many different levels, oh
>
> ( I cohabitate )
> ( I cohabitate )
>
> i believe you’re looking rather pale
> don’t they believe your little tale
> too bad i guess you’re on your own but
> i will watch over you i come from a
> different dimension than the one you know
> and i am here to drive you to the border
> of insanity and ( take notes ) …
>
> Run anywhere as fast and as far as you like
>
> I’ve not been here before
> I think I’ve unlocked the door
> to my world
>
> I’m on a holy quest
> I’ll be your most humble guest
>
> when your friends cannot see me
> but you see, what’s that gonna
> say about your sanity
> they’re gonna come and put you in
> a rubber room where i’ll have the
> freedom to GET YOU GET YOU
> i can see it when i look into your
> eyes dear, i will feast on the smell
> of your sweet fear, i know your
> mommy said there weren’t any devils
> but this little earth comes with
> many different levels
>
> © 1993 Happy Rhodes
This next one is based on the Roy Batty character from **Blade Runner**. There’s some robotic things going on in parts of it.
> [@](#):
>
> [Happy Rhodes - Roy: Back From The Offworld (mp3)](http://www.wretchawry.com/happy/rarities/HappyRhodes_RoyBackFromTheOffworld_Radiomix.mp3)
>
> More More More
> No answers for Roy
> He’s the Golden Boy
> He’s come to make his War
> He’s traveled Far
> But no answers for Roy
> He’s the Golden Boy
> He’s come to make his War
>
> I have just come through Heaven and Hell
> Fiery the angels fell
> How can I just let it all go now?
>
> I tell you father
> There are so many things to say
>
> I’ve lived to see the legacy of what you create
> You’ve given me reason to be my birthright
>
> (chorus)
>
> Everything that I loved is no more
> Couldn’t you do anything for me?
> Death wasn’t part of the deal
>
> And tell me maker
> Can you repair what you make?
>
> There’s been a slight oversight
> An honest mistake
> You see, four short years
> Does not a lifetime make
>
> Give me
> Give me
>
> More
>
> I let go of precious photos
> They are not the real past
> Gotta make my own
>
> I’m afraid to close my eyes
> I’m afraid to lose my home
>
> (chorus)
>
> © 1998 Happy Rhodes
>
> (The mp3 above is a radio remix that I like best, but [here](http://www.wretchawry.com/happy/samples/HappyRhodes_ManyWorldsAreBornTonight06_RoyBackFromTheOffworld.mp3) is the original album version)
One more, with robotic voices in the middle. I have no idea what this song is about. It’s very cool though.
[Happy Rhodes - If Wishes Were Horses How Beggars Would Ride (mp3)](http://www.wretchawry.com/happy/samples/HappyRhodes_ManyWorldsAreBornTonight05_IfWishesWereHorsesHowBeggarsWouldRide.mp3)
---
### Author:  [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/12 "2005-07-16T08:58:59Z")
You _must_ check out the song “Robot” by [Mike O’Connell](http://mikeoconnell.net/bottom.swf)!
(use the buttons above the text “Sample My Album”, press “play” then skip forward to **track # 9** )
Perhaps the best Robot song ever, with lyrics like:
_Nobody fucks with a Robot
Mocks a Robot
Kicks a Robot in the face
If I was a Robot
A big metal Robot
The only thing I’d hear humans say
Would be . . .
10011
10011
10011110001
10011
10011
10011110001
I’d speak binary code!
And I’d never grow old
or feel cold in the winter,
Wouldn’t feel so alone
Wouldn’t feel so alone
Robots don’t feel alone_
---
### Author:  [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/13 "2005-07-16T09:26:10Z")
How about [“Marvin, I love you”](http://www.thedoctordementoshow.com/song_details.php?SongID=405), about the miserable pile of bolts we all know and love.
On the techno side, recently I’ve been listening to [Golden Shower’s](http://www.goldenshower.gs/e/asmusicas.html) “Video Computer System” and “Total Control.” TC has some vocoder voices, and VCS is stitched together from Atari beeps and boops.
---
### Author:  [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/14 "2005-07-16T09:33:33Z")
Paranoid Android, Radiohead.
---
### Author:  [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/15 "2005-07-16T10:53:49Z")
‘Machines’ by Queen
‘The Body Electric’ by Rush
---
### Author:  [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/16 "2005-07-16T11:40:19Z")
An australian band, [Regurgitator](http://www.regurgitator.net/) did a cover of the Transformers theme song.
And there’s also Doctorin’ the Tardis by The Timelords, which samples daleks. Which are robots!
Tenuous, I know.
---
### Author:  [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/17 "2005-07-16T14:23:37Z")
_Robot Girl_ by **Was Not Was**
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### Author:  [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/18 "2005-07-16T14:26:33Z")
“Robotron 2000” by Freezepop.
---
### Author:  [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/19 "2005-07-16T14:27:58Z")
“Robot” by The Futureheads
---
### Author:  [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-robots/312768/20 "2005-07-16T14:40:45Z")
**Machines** by Manfred Mann (or Lothar & the Hand People; not the same as the Queen song)
**Hey! (Rise of the Robots)** by the Stranglers
**Humanoid Boogie** by the Bonzo Dog Band
The entire **The Iron Man** album by Pete Townshend
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