As technology continues to evolve and grow, remaining a constant in our lives throughout the decades, it’s no wonder that musicians have written about the topic in songs. From the 20th century until today, from talk about TV to talk about AI, musicians have covered the rise — and worries — of technology.
In this article, we’re showcasing 20 great songs about technology. These songs come from various decades, yet they all deal with our growing dependence on technology. Whether critical or accepting, these songs discuss technology frankly and in intriguing ways!
1. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by Buggles
“Video Killed the Radio Star” by Buggles is perhaps one of the best — or at least one of the most well-known — songs about the advancement of technology. First released in 1979, this song explains how many wonderful felt as if they were having their careers destroyed because they didn’t translate to video or TV.
These artists were great radio stars — but not great to see on TV, as they just didn’t have the look that audiences were looking for. This song can therefore be seen as a song about technology being bad for society, in a certain way.
The band sings, “They took the credit for your second symphony / Rewritten by machine on new technology / And now I understand the problems you could see.”
2. “Love In the 21st Century” by Neon Trees
Neon Trees’ 2014 song “Love In the 21st Century” compares new-age technology to romantic relationships in the modern era. Throughout this song, the band explains how relationships have drastically changed over the decades.
They sing, “I guess it’s love / In the 21st century / It’s tough / Broken heart technology / Your kisses taste so sweet / But then you click delete.”
3. “Geekin’” by will.i.am
“Geekin’” by will.i.am follows the musician as he explains how he makes his money by creating his own music. Over the years, he’s become wealthy, as a result of his hustle. As he discusses his lifestyle, he also talks about technology and how he can go to space if he wants to.
At the beginning of the song, he says, “Hey, I’m on that geek geek / Freaking technology technique-nique.”
4. “Plastic Beach” by Gorillaz
“Plastic Beach” by Gorillaz, which was released on their 2010 album of the same name, also mentions technology in the lyrics. “Plastic Beach” discusses quite a lot throughout the song. For the most part, Gorillaz sings about the rise of trends and how they affect our culture. They also mention the rising trend of cyberculture, which has a lot to do with technology.
Through these thoughts, they mention computers. They sing, “It’s automated computer speech, it’s automated computer speech / It’s a Casio on a plastic beach, it’s a Casio.”
Therefore, this song could be seen as a very interesting take on technology and society — and how they impact one another!
5. “Digital Life” by Empire of the Sun
Empire of the Sun’s 2016 song “Digitial Life” talks about the digital age and technology. While many meanings could be interpreted from this song, it does appear that it’s about a relationship, possibly a romantic relationship. This relationship has hit a snag, and our current modern age and our reliance on technology may be to blame.
The singer explains that technology or going online doesn’t make him feel happy or warm. The band sings, “Feel the digital life keeping me young / This digital life don’t keep me warm.”
6. “Robot Love” by Allison Iraheta
“Robot Love” by Allison Iraheta also talks about technology when it comes to a romantic relationship! This song, which was first released in 2009, follows the singer as she realizes that her boyfriend isn’t in love with her. Instead, he’s in love with a robot!
Iraheta sings about emails, texting, and all of the other regular things we all do when it comes to our daily life. But she also sings about how this is bad — and now, she just wants her boyfriend back.
She sings the lyrics, “Technology sucks / I wish I could change all your numbers.”
7. “State of the Art” by Gotye
“State of the Art” by Gotye was inspired by the emotions and happiness the singer felt when he was a child and his parents gave him a Lowrey Cotillion electric organ as a gift. Throughout this song, therefore, we learn a lot about this “new” technology, as well as the other forms of technology and instruments in his home.
For example, when he got this electric organ, which is “State of the Art”, the family threw out their TV!
8. “Digital Lion” by James Blake
There are many different interpretations listeners could take away from James Blake’s “Digital Lion”. It seems the song follows a romantic relationship that is surely reaching its end, as the two feel as if time drags when they are together.
Blake sings the lyrics, “Digital lion / I can see you prowling.” This could reference his partner — or someone new he’s interested in — going online and attempting to start a relationship digitally!
9. “Digital Witness” by St. Vincent
“Digital Witness” by St. Vincent is the singer’s take on the modern digital, selfie-infused age we’re all living in. This song is clearly a negative take on technology and social media, as the singer feels as if she’s not really living a full life because of all of this technology.
She sings, “Digital witnesses / What’s the point of even sleeping? / If I can’t show it, if you can’t see me / What’s the point of doing anything?”
10. “Politics” by Bad Religion
Now, let’s take it back to a take on technology from 1981. “Politics” by Bad Religion opens with the lyrics, “Economy, technology, does it really work? / The guy running the government’s another jerk.”
While the entire song mainly discusses how the upper classes control and oppress the lower classes, the band also talks about technology. They question whether technology is really here to help us. Instead, they surmise that technology may just be another way for the upper classes to have control.
11. “Wake Up” by Fetty Wap
“Wake Up” by Fetty Wap, which was first released in 2016, also talks about technology! While this song is mainly a stoner anthem, Fetty Wap also raps about his upbringing, his issues with school, and the struggles he dealt with in regard to his health after he lost one eye to glaucoma when he was just six months old.
Even though doctors have said they may be able to restore his vision, this hasn’t happened yet. About this technology in medicine, he raps, “Technology is movin’ too slow, I’m waitin’ patiently.”
12. “Deeper Understanding” by Kate Bush
“Deeper Understanding” by Kate Bush, which appears on her 1989 album The Sensual World, seems to be a song about technology being good. Bush previously stated that this song was inspired by Stephen Hawking.
The song opens with the lyrics, “As the people here grow colder / I turn to my computer / And spend my evenings with it / Like a friend.”
While this computer gives her comfort, and while it seems as if everything is okay, verses later in the song hint that her obsession with her computer — rather than with human beings — causes her family to worry. Therefore, this song follows both the good and bad of relying on computers and technology!
13. “Rapture” by Blondie
Blonde’s 1980 song “Rapture” follows the band as they sing about having fun and dancing while out on the town. However, as with many of Blondie’s other songs, this song also has interesting sci-fi themes that lead the band to discuss technology.
They sing, “Wall to wall, tea time technology / And a digital ladder / No sign of bad luck in rapture.”
14. “Going Backwards” by Depeche Mode
“Going Backwards” by Depeche Mode also talks about the negative aspects of technology. In this song, the band explains that they feel the human race has lost its spirit. There are so many problems in the world, and they push people to try to make some type of change and regain their spirit toward life.
The band hints at the negative aspects of technology, perhaps even referencing weapons of mass destruction (such as nuclear warfare) that were invented, as they sing, “We’re digging our own hole / We’re going backwards / Armed with new technology / Going backwards / To a caveman mentality.”
15. “Evolution” by 311
311’s 1999 song “Evolution” opens with the lines, “My computer is future shockin’ / Download this and you’ll start talkin’ / Upgraded you’re now walkin’ / Compatible with all that is rockin’.”
As the song goes on, the band discusses how we’re evolving because of our technological inventions. However, they also question whether these inventions are good. Though they believe that these inventions can be used for good, they also realize that they can be used for bad — and they worry for the human race, as a result.
16. “Jesus Online” by Bush
“Jesus Online” by Bush discusses the digital age thanks to technological advancement. While this song could have multiple interpretations, it appears the band is talking about a romantic relationship with a girl.
They also discuss the idea of Jesus being online. They sing, “Jesus online
/ around the world / Feel invincible / To be perfect just like you.”
17. “Change” by Barry White
Barry White’s 1982 song “Change” discusses how the world changes, regardless of whether we want this to happen or not. White says we must embrace this change. We can change our lives and always look for a positive outlook!
However, he also talks about technology and warns people about it. He sings, “Education don’t forget it / If you do, you will regret it / Technology has gone stone mad / If you missed this, that’s tough, too bad.”
18. “She Blinded Me With Science” by Thomas Dolby
“She Blinded Me With Science” by Thomas Dolby, released in 1982, tells the story of a scientist who falls in love with his lab assistant. As the story progresses and the narrator explains his feelings towards this woman, he also mentions technology!
He sings, “She blinded me with science / And hit me with technology.”
19. “So Far…” by Eminem
Eminem’s 2013 song “So Far…” follows the rapper as he discusses how far he’s gotten in life. He explains both the good and the bad aspects of his life, as he truly has both. Through his discussions about this current life, he also talks about technology.
He raps, “My apologies, no disrespect to technology / But what the heck’s all of these buttons? / You expect me to sit here and learn that?”
20. “20th Century Man” by The Kinks
“20th Century Man” by The Kinks, first released in 1971 on the band’s album Muswell Hillbillies, opens with the lines, “This is the age of machinery / A mechanical nightmare / The wonderful world of technology / Napalm, hydrogen bombs, biological warfare.”
Thus, the song continues to describe the emotions and worries of an average “20th Century Man”. Thanks to all of this new technology, this man has fears, worries, and existentialism. The song questions how people lived back in the day when they didn’t have to worry about all of these new technological advancements!