Living On Video

Trans X's 'Living On Video' is a quintessential song from the 1980s that encapsulates the era's fascination with technology and the burgeoning digital age. The lyrics speak to the allure of a new, electronic world, where life can be experienced through the 'touch of a button' and reality is intertwined with computer-generated fantasies. The repeated line 'Stop - living on video' serves as a catchy chorus but also as a cautionary plea, suggesting a tension between embracing technological advances and losing oneself in them.

The song's imagery of 'flying through hyper-space' and 'laser rays and purple skies' paints a vivid picture of a digital utopia. This 'computer fairyland' is both mesmerizing and slightly unsettling, as it blurs the lines between what's real and what's simulated. The reference to 'sur un faisceau de lumieres' which translates to 'on a beam of light' from French, further emphasizes the song's theme of high-speed, light-based technology transforming human experience.

The emotional resonance of 'Living On Video' lies in its portrayal of a digital romance, where the singer sees 'glittering blue eyes' and a smile that seems to belong to a computer fantasy. This suggests a longing for connection in a world that's increasingly mediated by screens. The song captures the zeitgeist of its time, reflecting both excitement and apprehension about a future dominated by video and virtual experiences. It's a nostalgic look back at the dawn of the digital age and a reminder of the persistent human desire for genuine connection amidst the pixels and binary codes.