Although the more rock-leaning members of Styx (specifically, guitarists J.Y. Young and Tommy Shaw) would likely cringe, Styx's 1983 hit "Mr. Roboto" is one of the band's more enduring and beloved songs. It also took the band in a musical direction that caused a schism in the band that would bring their demise.

Culled from the album Kilroy Was Here, "Mr. Roboto" was the lead single from the highly-anticipated new album by the Chicago band. Throughout the '70s, the group had released a succession of platinum-selling albums including Pieces Of Eight and The Grand Illusion. Constant touring a radio hits like "Lady," "Come Sail Away," "Foolin' Yourself," and "Renegade" had made them one of the most popular (if not critically lauded) band's in America. They cemented that status with 1981's Paradise Theater and the monster singles "The Best Of Times" and "Too Much Time On My Hands."

Although the band was no stranger to concept albums, lead singer Dennis DeYoung took the idea to extravagent length for Kilroy Was Here with an elaborate story-line involving a future where rock music was banned. The idea was fleshed out by a live show that incorporated videos and set pieces acted out by the band. It was derided by critics and baffled fans. However, "Mr. Roboto" a keyboard-laden track which meshed a slight New Wave feel with robotic vocals, became one of the group's biggest chart hits when it climbed to #3 in early '83. The song lodged the phrase "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto" into a generation of pop fans and was introduced to a new generation through its use in a car commercial in the late '90s.

To hear this song, and other hits from the early '80s, log on to Pop Go The '80s