Radio Ga-Ga - Definition and Overview

"Radio Ga Ga" is the title of a song by Queen, written by drummer Roger Taylor. The song was a commentary of the invention of televison overtaking radio's popularity, and how one would listen to radio for their favorite comedy, drama, sci-fi programs etc... as well as the advent of the music video and MTV. Taylor originally conceived it as "Radio Ca-Ca" (apparently from something his toddler son once said), a slam against radio for the decrease in variety of programming and the type of music being played. It was eventually changed to Radio Ga-Ga, because it sounded better, clearer, and rolled off the tongue easier.

It and was released as a single and is on the album The Works. The music video for the song features scenes from the film Metropolis.

The single was an enormous worldwide success for the band; reaching number one in no less than 20 countries and making the top 20 in a total of 36 countries. It reached number 2 in the UK and 16 in the USA.

The song was covered in 2004 by Electric Six. The video depicts Electric Six frontman, Dick Valentine, as the ghost of Freddie Mercury dancing on his own grave. Roger Taylor has voiced his opinions of this version of the song; saying that the video is tasteless and that he will "wait for the royalties".

Lyric sampling

All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio blah blah
Radio what's new?
Radio, someone still loves you