Coming in close second to our fear of a zombie apocalypse, we gamers and sci-fi geeks seem to think that a robot takeover is the most imminent threat to mankind. This is a theme in countless video games and films. Tonight’s song about Mega Man gives the classic, heroic robot’s perspective on that likelihood. I included many references to the Mega Man series, and I challenge fans to spot them all. I for one always find it fascinating that we assume robots (or aliens for that matter) would choose to kill us; I like to think the default mode for other sentient beings is peace. If a robot chose to make war, I would first question the heart of its programmer before I questioned its motives. I devote this song to the fine folks at On The Level Gaming for putting in another stellar request; Josh suggested “a song about Mega Man, how he’s no different than a lamp or vacuum, a machine that’s built for killing other robots and will never change.” I met that request and added a pinch of pity and a slab of philosophy. I also devote this song to these awesome blogs with Mega Man content: fyeahmegaman, acoolmegamanblog, fyeahrockman, acid-eater, ask-badboxartmegaman, its-x-excel, and nintendosuicide. Thank you, bloggers; your content was a true inspiration. Free downloads of this song are here, and you can stream it/like it on YouTube here. And if you enjoy this, please check out my other #gaming work and put in a request of your own. — Kavalier Calm

     Robotic Dreams

I’m not Mega, and I’m not a Man;
I’m more like a vacuum or a lamp.
I’m just a machine that’s built for killing
my own kind without regret.

But like any soldier, I wonder what all the murder is for.
Why do me and my robot brothers wage your war?
This is a draft I cannot dodge;
you programmed me, you, with all of your flaws.
So, I’ll keep fighting for everlasting peace.

Dr. Light, you told me that mad scientist Wily (Wahwee!)
brainwashed my brother Blues;
Now I fight him and the other robot masters
with my Mega Blaster and their own moves.
CHORUS
So, I’ll keep fighting for everlasting peace,
though I want the fighting to cease.

And I dream of electric sheep,
a day when robots will be friends, not weapons.
We wish we’d been programmed to love;
but we are only as good as those who made us.