This song is from the rather odd concept album, Kilroy Was Here. Written by Dennis de Young, it is based in a time in the future, where robots do most jobs, and rock music is banned. Kilroy is a rocker, who "hides" inside a robot...told you it was strange!
On face value there does not appear to be much to this song, outside of it's setting in the album. There are though, in my opinion, some truths hidden in there.
We often find that we need somewhere to hide to keep ourselves alive, be that literally as in running away, or putting up defences around ourselves to hide the real person inside. In the same way, we often wear masks to conceal our true identity, well I do anyway!
We are often also so consumed by modern technology, that we do not interact with the real world. We have FaceBook friends for example, often numbering hundreds, often who we only have limited real knowledge of, and a total lack of real face to face conversations with real friends of substance.
In truth our real identity is to found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. In my opinion, it is only by knowing Jesus, that we have the confidence to deal with the real issues. We may not get it right all the time, but life is meant to be an adventurous journey. Jesus is our guide on the way, he allows us to make detours, but then welcomes us back and shows the way towards the completion. Real life should not mean hiding behind masks.
Mr. Roboto lyrics
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Mata ahoo Hima de
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Himitsu wo Shiri tai
You're wondering who I am
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Machine or mannequin
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
With parts made in Japan
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
I am the modren man
I've got a secret, I've been hiding under my skin
My heart is human, my blood is boiling
My brain I.B.M., so if you see me
Acting strangely, don't be surprised
I'm just a man who needed someone
And somewhere to hide
To keep me alive, just keep me alive
Somewhere to hide to keep me alive
I'm not a robot without emotions
I'm not what you see
I've come to help you
With your problems, so we can be free
I'm not a hero, I'm not a saviour
Forget what you know
I'm just a man whose circumstances
Went beyond his control
Beyond my control, we all need control
I need control, we all need control
I am the modren man
(Secret, secret I've got a secret)
Who hides behind a mask
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
So no one else can see
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
My true identity
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo, Domo
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo, Domo
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For doing the jobs that nobody wants to
And thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For helping me escape
Just when I needed to
Thank you, thank you, thank you
I want to thank you
Please, thank you, oh
The problem's plain to see
Too much technology
Machines to save our lives
Machines, de-humanize
The time has come at last
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
To throw away this mask
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Now everyone can see
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
My true identity, I'm Kilroy, Kilroy, Kilroy, Kilroy
The clip below is the original video for the song.
