“She Blinded Me with Science” (Thomas Dolby)

Today’s classic early ’80s song of the day is “She Blinded Me with Science” by Thomas Dolby. This one, released in October of 1982, rose to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart.

“She Blinded Me with Science” was written by Mr. Dolby, along with some joker calling himself Jo Kerr. (No idea, really.) It was released after his first album, The Golden Age of Wireless; the album was subsequently re-released with “She Blinded Me with Science” added. In addition to Mr. Dolby’s vocals and synthesizer backing, it features the exhortations of real British scientist Magnus Pyke (“Science!”). Mr. Pyke also appeared in the popular MTV video for the tune.

Since “She Blinded Me with Science” was Dolby’s only hit in the U.S., he’s generally considered a one-hit wonder. He had a few more minor hits in the UK, but not in the U.S. (I guess 1984’s “Hyperactive!” doesn’t count, even though it did crack the Top 40.). Dolby continued recording for the next 15 years or so and in 1993 founded a company called Headspace (later renamed Beatnik) that was responsible for creating the (now long-abandoned) Rich Music Format (RMF) file format for Internet-based audio. He left Beatnik in 2002 and founded another company, Retro Ringtones, that produced ringtone management software. That company went out of business in 2005. After that, Mr. Dolby continued to be involved in the technology industry, most notably in the field of virtual reality. He was also the musical director of the TED Conference from 2001 to 2012.

My very brief connection to Mr. Dolby came when he proposed a book idea to the publishing company I was working for, sometime in the mid- to late-90s. I don’t recall all the details, but I think it had something to do with audio file formats. All I remember is that it wasn’t a good fit for us and we passed on it, much to the disappointment of some of our editors who wanted to work with a real rock star, albeit one more than a decade past his prime at that point. I don’t think that book ever got published.

“Good heavens, Miss Sakamoto, you’re beautiful!”