10 More Huge Songs That Bands Refused To Play Live

10. Mr. Roboto - Styx

You couldn’t move for the band Styx in the 1970s and early '80s, as their mix of synth-rock and hair metal flooded the US charts with hit after hit after hit, with eight of their albums achieving gold or higher status between 1975 and 1990.

If you weren’t a fan in this period, then you were in for a rough time.

In terms of singles, one of their highest charters was Mr. Roboto from 1983, and yes, that is where the phrase “Dōmo arigatō Mr. Roboto” comes from. Despite its massive success, it was very rarely featured in the band’s live sets after their reunion in 1995. But why?

The song was largely written by keyboard player Dennis DeYoung. Another major force in the band, guitarist James “J.Y.” Young was not a fan of how soft it was, so, when DeYoung left the reunited band in 1999, J.Y. pulled his track from their shows.

Mr. Roboto eventually returned to regular rotation in 2018, but only after the band’s promoter insisted it make a comeback. It’s safe to say that J.Y. will not be telling that person “dōmo arigatō” any time soon.