{{short description|1978 song by Kraftwerk}} {{About|the Kraftwerk single|the English punk band sometimes called The Robots|And None of Them Knew They were Robots}} {{other uses|Robot (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox song | name = The Robots | cover = Kraftwerk - Die Roboter Cover.jpg | alt = | caption = Cover for the original German release | type = single | artist = Kraftwerk | album = The Man-Machine | A-side = "Die Roboter" (German title) | B-side = Spacelab | released = 12 May 1978<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1978/Music-Week-1978-05-13.pdf|title=Music Week|page=48}}</ref> | recorded = | studio = | genre = Synth-pop | length = * 4:20 (single edit) * 3:42 (UK single edit) * 6:11 (album version) | label = * Kling Klang (EMI) 1C-006-32941 (West Germany) * Capitol CL15981 (UK) | writer = * Ralf Hütter * Florian Schneider * Karl Bartos | producer = * Ralf Hütter * Florian Schneider | prev_title = Showroom Dummies | prev_year = 1977 | next_title = Das Model | next_year = 1978 }}
"'''The Robots'''" ({{langx|de|"'''Die Roboter'''"}}) is a single by German electronic group Kraftwerk, which was released in 1978. The single and its B-side, "Spacelab", both appeared on the band's seventh album, ''The Man-Machine'' (1978). However, the songs as they appear on the single were edited into shorter versions. It charted at number 25 in West Germany, number 39 on the US ''Billboard'' Dance Club Songs chart, and number 23 in Austria.
== Composition == Lyrically, the song discusses the role of robots as subservient workers to humans. The Russian lines "{{lang|ru|Я твой слуга / Я твой работник}}" ({{transliteration|ru|Ya tvoy sluga / Ya tvoy rabotnik}}, "I am your servant / I am your worker") (also on the rear sleeve of the album) during the intro and again during its repetition at the bridge are spoken in a pitched-down voice; the line references the Slavic origins of the word ''robot''. The main lyrics ("We're charging our batteries, and now we're full of energy...") were produced by vocal synthesis and processed through a vocoder.
The song's refrain became a major identifying symbol for the band, and has been frequently referenced: Wolfgang Flür, a member of Kraftwerk at the time of the single's release, later wrote the book {{lang|de|"Kraftwerk: ich war ein Roboter"}} (''Kraftwerk: I Was a Robot'' in English).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rosenoire.org/reviews/fluh-robot.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015041006/http://www.rosenoire.org/reviews/fluh-robot.php |archive-date=15 October 2011 |title=Kraftwerk: I Was a Robot – Reviewed by Troy Southgate |access-date=18 September 2008 |publisher=SYNTHESIS}}</ref> The lyrics were also referenced in the title of a BBC Radio 4 documentary ''Kraftwerk: We Are the Robots'', broadcast for the first time on Thursday, 22 November 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/pip/xmwmq/ |title=Kraftwerk: We Are the Robots |access-date=17 September 2008 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>
== Live performances == The band's performance of the song has varied significantly over time: For example, one report of a performance in 1997 describes "four legless robot bodies [being] lowered from a lighting rig and programmed to make mechanical movements to the music",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/15/arts/call-them-the-beatles-of-electronic-dance-music.html?scp=2&sec=&spon=&sq=kraftwerk%2520the%2520robots&st=cse|title=Call Them the Beatles Of Electronic Dance Music|date=15 June 1997|access-date=17 September 2008|newspaper=The New York Times | first=Neil | last=Strauss}}</ref> another from the following year describes the spectacle as "robot torsos and heads [being] suspended in the air, slowly twisting and waving as the music plays on",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E7D7133AF932A25755C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2|title=ARTS ABROAD; Hardly a Pocket Calculator: Kraftwerk's Studio Goes on Tour|date=11 June 1998|access-date=17 September 2008|newspaper=The New York Times | first=Neil | last=Strauss}}</ref> and yet another describes witnessing on-screen "plastic-head representations of the band, stuck on dull gray torsos with mechanical arms and metal-rod legs". The lyrics "We are the robots" flash up on this screen, followed by the line "We are programmed / just to do / anything you want us to." The screen then lifts to reveal the band following their transformation into robots. But they are said not to move "in the popping spurts that robots are famous for; they swiveled and moved their arms slowly, thoughtfully, humanly, as if practicing t'ai chi".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E0DE143DF936A25755C0A96E958260&scp=6&sq=kraftwerk%20the%20robots&st=cse |title=POP REVIEW; It's a Techno World, With Nothing to Fear From Gears and Switches |date=15 June 1998 |access-date=18 September 2008 |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Ben |last=Ratliff}}</ref> It has also been said that these "robots" give a far more lifelike performance than the band themselves.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/03/arts/music/03kraf.html?_r=1&oref=slogin |title=The Live Concert Experience, as Mechanized as Possible |date=3 June 2005 |access-date=17 September 2008 |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Jon |last=Pareles}}</ref> There was, however, "an air of farce" at one show in Ireland in 2008 when a curtain refused to close, disrupting the transformation of the band into robots. Stagehands had to intervene and close the curtain themselves, after which the sequence could continue.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/still-krafty-after-all-these-years-1475485.html |title=Still Krafty after all these years |date=15 September 2008 |access-date=16 September 2008 |newspaper=Irish Independent}}</ref>
==Reception== "The Robots" is widely regarded as one of Kraftwerk's best songs. In 2020, ''Billboard'' and ''The Guardian'' ranked the song number two and number six, respectively, on their lists of the greatest Kraftwerk songs.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kraftwerk-best-songs-florian-schneider-top-10-9372449/|title=Kraftwerk's 10 Best Songs: Staff Picks|first=Ashley|last=Zlatopolsky|magazine=Billboard|date=May 6, 2020|accessdate=April 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/07/kraftwerk-their-30-greatest-songs-ranked|title=Kraftwerk: their 30 greatest songs, ranked!|first=Dave|last=Simpson|work=The Guardian|date=May 7, 2020|accessdate=April 24, 2022}}</ref> The song was being widely used as a curtain raiser song in many movie theaters across South India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aanavandi |date=2019-11-05 |title=Original Version of Thrissur Ragam Theatre Curtain Rising Music - Aanavandi Travel Blog |url=https://www.aanavandi.com/blog/original-version-of-thrissur-ragam-theatre-curtain-rising-music/ |access-date=2023-09-14 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Track listing ==
; 1978 7-inch single {{Track listing | headline = Side one | all_writing = | title1 = Die Roboter | length1 = 4:20 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side two | title2 = Spacelab | length2 = 3:34 }}
== 1991 re-issue == {{Infobox song | name = The Robots | cover = Kraftwerk-The_Robots_(1991_Version).jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Kraftwerk | album = The Mix | A-side = "Die Roboter" (German title) | B-side = Robotnik/Robotronik | released = 20 May 1991<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=37|date=18 May 1991}}</ref> | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = Electronic | length = * 3:47 (single edit) * 8:58 (album version) | label = * Kling Klang * EMI | writer = * Ralf Hütter * Florian Schneider * Karl Bartos | producer = * Ralf Hütter * Florian Schneider | prev_title = The Telephone Call | prev_year = 1987 | next_title = Radioactivity (1991 re-release) | next_year = 1991 }}
In 1991, a re-recorded and re-arranged version of "'''The Robots'''" was issued as a single from the band's tenth album, ''The Mix'' (1991). It charted in several European countries, reaching number 52 on the Eurochart Hot 100. A new music video was also produced to promote the single.
=== Critical reception === David Stubbs from ''Melody Maker'' named "The Robots" Single of the Week, stating that the remix "is still outstanding — unspoilt by a slight house adaption, it's a perfect example of Kraftwerk's exact science and deadpan wit. The first, and still the best."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Stubbs|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52363304458/|title=Singles|magazine=Melody Maker|date=25 May 1991|page=33|access-date=29 April 2023|author-link=David Stubbs}}</ref> Pan-European magazine ''Music & Media'' wrote, "The pioneers of synthesizer pop live up to their reputation. Hi-tech for EHR."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=|last=|title=Review: Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-06-08.pdf|magazine=Music & Media|volume=8|issue=23|date=8 June 1991|page=12|accessdate=14 December 2022}}</ref> Sherman from ''NME'' said, "Whilst 'The Robots' takes on a much richer feel than before, the Vocoder fed line of ''We are the robots'' [is] gouging deeper than ever into the memory".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Sherman|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52379229986/|title=Sure Beats Werking|magazine=NME|date=15 June 1991|page=39|access-date=29 April 2023}}</ref>
=== Track listing === ; 1991 7-inch single {{Track listing | headline = Side one | all_writing = | title1 = The Robots | note1 = single edit | length1 = 3:43 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side two | title2 = Robotronik | note2 = single version | length2 = 3:46 }}
; 1991 12-inch single {{Track listing | headline = Side one | all_writing = | title1 = Robotnik | note1 = Kling Klang Mix | length1 = 7:41 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side two | title2 = Die Roboter | note2 = single edit | length2 = 3:43 | title3 = Robotronik | note3 = Kling Klang Mix | length3 = 4:51 }}
; 1991 CD single {{Track listing | headline = | all_writing = | title1 = Die Roboter | note1 = single edit | length1 = 3:43 | title2 = Robotnik | note2 = Kling Klang Mix | length2 = 7:41 | title3 = Robotronik | note3 = Kling Klang Mix | length3 = 4:51 }}
; Cassette single {{Track listing | headline = Side one | all_writing = | title1 = The Robots | note1 = single edit | title2 = Robotronik | note2 = single version }}
=== Charts === {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !align="left"|Chart (1991) !align="left"|Peak<br>position |- !scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/wtYPyff.jpeg|title=Kraftwerk chart history, received from ARIA on 8 October 2021|publisher=Imgur.com|access-date=20 June 2024}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart. This only contains chart peaks from the ARIA-produced chart (June 1988 onwards) era.</ref> | 161 |- !scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|first=|last=|title=Eurochart Hot 100|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-06-22.pdf|magazine=Music & Media|volume=8|issue=25|date=22 June 1991|page=21|accessdate=14 December 2022}}</ref> | 52 |- {{single chart|Germany|18|song=Die Roboter 91|artist=Kraftwerk|songid=12728|rowheader=true|access-date=5 November 2023}} |- {{single chart|Ireland2|26|song=The Robots|artist=Kraftwerk|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"|Israel (Israeli Singles Chart)<ref>[https://pizmonet.co.il/wiki/30.6.1991 Israeli Singles Chart. 30 June 1991.]</ref> | 24 |- !scope="row"|Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)<ref>[http://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Chart=F&ChDate=19910616&ChMode=P Radio Luxembourg Singles. 9 June 1991.]</ref> | 13 |- {{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|20|song=The Robots|artist=Kraftwerk|artistid=23701|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"|UK Airplay (''Music Week'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-06-22.pdf|title=Playlist Chart|magazine=Music Week|date=22 June 1991|page=14|access-date=17 October 2025}}</ref> | 60 |- !scope="row"|UK Dance (''Music Week'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-06-01.pdf |title= Top 60 Dance Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 1 June 1991 |page= 22 |access-date= 27 September 2020}}</ref> | 32 |- !scope="row"|UK Club Chart (''Record Mirror'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-05-18.pdf|title=The Record Mirror Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=18 May 1991|page=8|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> | 76 |- !scope="row"|US Hot Dance Club Play (''Billboard''){{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} | 42 |- !scope="row"|US Hot Dance Singles Sales (''Billboard''){{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} | 42 |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Kraftwerk}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robots, The}} Category:1978 singles Category:1991 singles Category:1978 songs Category:Electronic songs Category:EMI Records singles Category:English-language German songs Category:Kraftwerk songs Category:Songs about robots Category:Songs written by Karl Bartos Category:Songs written by Florian Schneider Category:Songs written by Ralf Hütter