The Story Behind “Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto”

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“Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto!” has become a popular culture catchphrase. But what is the song “Mr. Roboto” about? And what’s the story behind this Styx hit?

The song comes from the band’s 1982 album Kilroy Was Here. Inspired by real-world controversies in which religious groups accused Styx of satanic messaging, Kilroy Was Here is a rock opera set in a world where rock music is banned.

The band’s plan was to show a short film to introduce the album’s premise. Then, they would come out on stage to play live. “Mr. Roboto” was originally meant as a transitional piece between the film and the show.

“I wrote the song because it fits a transitional piece from the backstory movie from our live show to the concert stage,” Dennis DeYoung told Songfacts. “I never thought it was going to be a hit record—ever.”

But hit record it became! Today, the catchphrase “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto” (“Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto” in Japanese) can be found all over pop culture, including appearances in Austin Powers, Archer, How I Met Your Mother, and The Simpsons. 

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Charmaine Li is a Vancouver writer who has played piano for over 20 years. She holds an Associate diploma (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music and loves writing about the ways in which music—and music learning—affects the human experience. Charmaine manages The Note. Learn more about Charmaine here.