She Blinded Me with Science

Last updated
"She Blinded Me with Science"
She Blinded Me with Science.jpg
UK cover art
Single by Thomas Dolby
from the album The Golden Age of Wireless
B-side
Released23 October 1982
Genre
Length
  • 3:42
  • 5:09 (extended version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Thomas Dolby singles chronology
"Windpower"
(1982)
"She Blinded Me with Science"
(1982)
"One of Our Submarines"
(1982)
Music video
"Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science" on YouTube

"She Blinded Me with Science" is a song by the English musician Thomas Dolby, released in 1982. It was first released as a single in the United Kingdom in October 1982. It was subsequently included on the EP Blinded by Science [3] and the 1983 re-release of Dolby's debut album The Golden Age of Wireless . [4]

Contents

Although viewed as a success in both the United States and Canada, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 2 weeks at No. 1 in Canada's RPM magazine, the song barely managed to score among the Top 50 in Dolby's native United Kingdom, peaking at No. 49 on the UK Singles Chart in 1982.

Dolby is often considered a one-hit wonder in the United States on the basis of the song's chart success there. In 2002, US cable television network VH1 named "She Blinded Me with Science" No. 20 on its list of the "100 Greatest One-hit Wonders". [5] While the song is Dolby's only Top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100, he has had other songs that scored on the music charts. In 2006, VH1 placed it at No. 76 on their list of "Greatest Songs of the '80s". [6] Then, in 2009, it ranked No. 13 on VH1's "100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s" list. [7] The song was used as the theme song in the pilot episode of The Big Bang Theory before it was replaced with the "Big Bang Theory Theme" by rock band Barenaked Ladies.

Song structure

The song features exclamations from the British scientist and TV presenter Magnus Pyke, [5] who repeatedly interjects "Science!" and delivers other lines in a deliberately caricatured mad scientist manner, such as, "Good heavens, Miss Sakamoto, you're beautiful!" [8]

Music video

The video for "She Blinded Me with Science" was conceived and storyboarded before the song was written. [9] Dolby added the song title, wrote the song to fit the planned video, and then directed the music video. [10] The video features Magnus Pyke as The Doctor, at "The Home for Deranged Scientists".

Dolby later said that he wrote the line "Good heavens, Miss Sakamoto" because he wanted a Japanese woman to appear in the video. He was quoted as saying. "I was boldly ahead of the times in fetishizing Asian women." [11] The name is a reference to Ryuichi Sakamoto's wife Akiko Yano, who was in the studio at the time; she had previously sung backing on Dolby's 1982 single "Radio Silence", and he would collaborate with Sakamoto on the single Field Work a couple of years later.[ citation needed ]

Personnel

Credits sourced from Mix [12]

Chart positions

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [25] Gold50,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come On Eileen</span> 1982 song by Dexys Midnight Runners

"Come On Eileen" is a song by the English group Dexys Midnight Runners, released in the United Kingdom in June 1982 as a single from their second studio album Too-Rye-Ay. It reached number one in the United States and was their second number one hit in the UK, following 1980's "Geno". The song was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley and was initially claimed to be written by Kevin Rowland, Jim Paterson and Billy Adams, although Rowland later stated that the essence of the tune should be attributed to Kevin Archer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Every Breath You Take</span> 1983 single by the Police

"Every Breath You Take" is a song by British rock band the Police from their album Synchronicity (1983). Written by Sting, the single was the biggest US and Canadian hit of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for eight weeks, and the Canadian RPM chart for four weeks. Their fifth UK No. 1, it topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks. The song also reached the top 10 in numerous other countries.

Brenda Shannon Greene, known professionally as Shannon, is an American singer and songwriter of freestyle and dance-pop music. She is best known for her single "Let the Music Play", which topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in 1983 and was certified gold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puttin' On the Ritz</span> 1929 song by Irving Berlin

"Puttin' On the Ritz" is a song written by Irving Berlin. He wrote it in May 1927 and first published it on December 2, 1929. It was registered as an unpublished song on August 24, 1927 and again on July 27, 1928. It was introduced by Harry Richman and chorus in the musical film Puttin' On the Ritz (1930). According to The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin, this was the first song in film to be sung by an interracial ensemble. The title derives from the slang expression "to put on the Ritz", meaning to dress very fashionably. This expression was inspired by the opulent Ritz Hotel in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let the Music Play (Shannon song)</span> 1983 single by Shannon

"Let the Music Play" is a song recorded by American singer Shannon and released on September 19, 1983, as both her debut single and the lead single from her 1984 debut studio album of the same name. Written by Chris Barbosa and Ed Chisolm, and produced by Barbosa and Mark Liggett, "Let the Music Play" was the first of Shannon's four number ones on the US Dance Club Songs chart, reaching the top spot in October 1983. It also became a huge crossover hit in the US, peaking at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1984. It was Shannon's only Top 40 hit in the US. Some mark "Let the Music Play" as the beginning of the "dance-pop" era. "Let the Music Play" was ranked 43rd on the 2009 VH1 Special 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 1980s, while Rolling Stone and Billboard featured it in their lists of "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time" and "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" in 2022 and 2023. The song also appears in the video games Dance Central 3 and Scarface: The World Is Yours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pour Some Sugar on Me</span> 1987 single by Def Leppard

"Pour Some Sugar on Me" is a song by the English rock band Def Leppard from their 1987 album Hysteria. It reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on 23 July 1988, behind "Hold On to the Nights" by Richard Marx. "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is considered the band's signature song, and was ranked #2 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 80s" in 2006.

<i>The Golden Age of Wireless</i> 1982 studio album by Thomas Dolby

The Golden Age of Wireless is the debut album by English musician Thomas Dolby. Originally released in May 1982, the album was reissued in a number of different configurations, with later resequencings including the pop hit "She Blinded Me with Science".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lean on Me (song)</span> 1972 single by Bill Withers

"Lean on Me" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bill Withers. It was released in April 1972 as the first single from his second album, Still Bill. It was a number one single on both the soul and Billboard Hot 100 charts, the latter chart for three weeks in July 1972. Billboard ranked it as the No. 7 song of 1972. It was ranked number 208 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2010. Numerous other versions have been recorded, and it is one of only nine songs to have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with versions recorded by two different artists. In 2007, the 1972 recording of the song by Bill Withers on Sussex Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Shy</span> 1983 single by Kajagoogoo

"Too Shy" is a song written and recorded by English band Kajagoogoo, released in January 1983. The first single from their debut album White Feathers, the song was an immediate hit and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks. It was also very successful in other European countries and Japan, spending five weeks at number one in Germany, also reaching number one in Belgium and Ireland, as well as reaching number two in France and Switzerland, and number four in Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waiting for a Girl Like You</span> 1981 single by Foreigner

"Waiting for a Girl Like You" is a 1981 power ballad by the British-American rock band Foreigner released as the second single from the album 4 (1981) and was co-written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones. The opening motif was written by Ian McDonald and the distinctive synthesizer theme was performed by the then-little-known Thomas Dolby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photograph (Def Leppard song)</span> 1983 single by Def Leppard

"Photograph" is a song by the English rock band Def Leppard and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. It is the lead single from the band's third studio album, Pyromania (1983). Their lead vocalist Joe Elliott has described the song as generally about "something you can't ever get your hands on". When released as a single it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart, where it stayed for six weeks, and No. 12 on the Pop Singles chart.

<i>The Flat Earth</i> 1984 studio album by Thomas Dolby

The Flat Earth is the second studio album by the English new wave and synth-pop musician Thomas Dolby, released on 10 February 1984 by EMI and Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock On (David Essex song)</span> Single by David Essex

"Rock On" is a song written by English singer David Essex. Recorded in 1973 and released as a single by Essex, it became an international hit. In 1989, American actor and singer Michael Damian recorded a cover version that went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been recorded many times, including a 2006 version by the English hard rock group Def Leppard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In My House</span> 1984 single by Mary Jane Girls

"In My House" is a song produced, written and arranged by American musician Rick James and recorded by his protégées, the Mary Jane Girls, for their second studio album, Only Four You (1985). It was released as the album's lead single in October 1984 by Gordy Records. In the United States, the single topped Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart in April 1985 and remained atop the chart for two weeks. It also reached the top 10 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number seven on the Hot 100 in June 1985 and remained in the top 40 for 12 weeks. It is the group's highest-peaking single and their only top-40 entry on the Billboard Hot 100, although they have had other singles succeed on both the R&B and dance charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Key Largo (song)</span> 1981 single by Bertie Higgins

"Key Largo" is the debut single by Bertie Higgins, released in September 1981. It became, in early 1982, Higgins' only top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track spent 17 weeks in the top 40 and was certified gold by the RIAA. In addition, "Key Largo" topped the Adult Contemporary chart for two weeks. In the United Kingdom, it reached No. 60 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rain (Oran "Juice" Jones song)</span> 1986 single by Oran "Juice" Jones

"The Rain" is a 1986 crossover hit single originally performed by R&B singer Oran "Juice" Jones, which he released on and from his debut album Juice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toni Basil</span> American singer

Antonia Christina Basilotta, better known by her stage name Toni Basil, is an American singer, choreographer, dancer, actress, and director. Her song "Mickey" topped the charts in the US, Canada and Australia and hit the top ten in several other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steal Away (Robbie Dupree song)</span> 1980 single by Robbie Dupree

"Steal Away" is a song by American singer Robbie Dupree, from his 1980 debut album Robbie Dupree. Released as the first single from the album, it became his biggest hit, peaking at No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In Canada, the song reached No. 14 on the Pop chart and spent three weeks at No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Europa and the Pirate Twins</span> 1981 single by Thomas Dolby

"Europa and the Pirate Twins" is a song by English artist Thomas Dolby, from his 1982 album The Golden Age of Wireless. Written by Dolby, who produced it alongside Tim Friese-Greene, the song was released as a single on 3 October 1981.

This is the discography of British singer-songwriter and musician Thomas Dolby.

References

  1. "Discover the 10 Albums that changed Thomas Dolby's life". Goldmine . 14 January 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  2. Lanham, Tom (16 September 2011). "Thomas Dolby in town to lecture you on science". The San Francisco Examiner . Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  3. "Billboard's Top Album Picks > EPs". Billboard . Vol. 95, no. 7. 19 February 1983. p. 61. ISSN   0006-2510.
  4. "Dolby Unveils New Wireless" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 95, no. 11. 19 March 1983. p. 1. ISSN   0006-2510.
  5. 1 2 "Greatest One Hit Wonders List > Hour 5: #20 – 1". VH1. Archived from the original on 31 August 2004.
  6. "VH1'S '100 Greatest Songs of the '80s' preaches to the choir with Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' taking the top spot". VH1. 24 October 2006. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010.
  7. Ali, Rahsheeda. "100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the '80s". VH1. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
  8. "That song from Thomas Dolby and the other Sakamoto". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  9. MacIntosh, Dan (16 March 2011). "Thomas Dolby : Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  10. Dolby, Thomas (11 October 2016). The Speed of Sound: Breaking the Barriers Between Music and Technology: A Memoir. Flatiron Books. ISBN   978-1250071842.
  11. Tannenbaum, Rob (2011). I Want My MTV. E. P. Dutton. ISBN   978-1-101-52641-5.
  12. "Classic Tracks: Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science"". mixonline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  14. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  15. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6239." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  16. "Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me with Science" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  17. "Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me with Science". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  18. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (D)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "Thomas Dolby – Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  21. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending MAY 28, 1983". Cash Box . Archived from the original on 11 September 2012.
  22. "The Top Singles of 1983". RPM . Vol. 39, no. 17. 24 December 1983. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  23. "Top 100 Hits for 1983". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  24. "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1983". Cash Box . Archived from the original on 11 September 2012.
  25. "Canadian single certifications – Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me With Science". Music Canada . Retrieved June 20, 2023.