This Catchy 80s Hit DOMINATED MTV in 1983... It Came From a MOMENT of INSANITY! | Professor Of Rock

This is Episode 1 of a compelling interview with Thomas Dolby who most recall as the 80s video star on MTV with his quintessential hit, She Blinded Me With Science and as a Master Producer for many acts including Prefab Sprout but did you know that he played with David Bowie at Live Aid and along the way founded a Silicon Valley Software Company called Beatnik that's technology has been used to play internet audio and ringtones? He was also the Music Director for the Ted Conference for many years and is now an esteemed Professor at Johns Hopkins University. Over several episodes we will break down his amazing career from MTV to where he is today, so stay tuned for future episodes... Today's episode is focused on his bottled lightning classic 1983 hit She Blinded Me with Science. This 80s hit epitomized the decade. He used a whacky TV Scientist, his love for asian women and an affinity for the films of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton to cultivate an 80s synth pop classic that is forever tattooed on our brain. This musical icon shares the secrets of the song and the unforgettable music video in an exclusive interview coming up next.
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Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you remember the days when music came out of a walkman instead of a cloud subscribe below right now. You’ll dig this music community the stories straight from the legends We also have a patreon you'll want to check out. There you’ll find an additional catalog of exclusive content and you can even become an honorary producer to help us curate this music history.
It’s time for another episode of our series Bottled Lightening. This is a very interesting story from a true pioneer of the synthesizer. Before thomas dolby killed the radio star with his 1983 top smash She Blinded me with Science he was a poor street musician busking in Paris. Legendary producer Mutt Lange and Foreigner founder Mick Jones needed a great synth sound for the Foreigner Blockbuster album Foreigner 4. They heard about Dolby’s talent and brought him into enrich the classic rock hits Waiting for a girl like you and Urgent. From there thomas Dolby was a wanted man, He would also work on Def Leppard Pyromania and later producer Prefab Sprout’s classic record Steve McQueen but he crafted a modern masterwork of synth pop, called the golden age of wireless with the hit song She Blinded me with science. up next, Thomas tells us how he got his name and how created an all-time 80s classic As we go into this interview. I want to recognize our sponsor Zenni eyewear , the glasses I always wear. Right now at zenni.com you can get a complete pair of prescription glasses for just 6.95 You could get 3-4 pair for less than concert ticket. You design them, you personalize them and you must put in your prescription and your address and they’ll deliver them to your door. Check it out today at Zenni.com

[@ProfessorofRock]

Attention: This is Episode 1 of the interview with Thomas Dolby. Future episodes will focus on his career progression from his 1984 song"Hyperactive" to his production of the classic Prefab Sprout album "Steve McQueen" to playing with David Bowie at Live Aid all the way to his current position as a Professor Johns Hopkins University. Stay tuned

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Awesome! Cannot wait to hear more from him!

[@DC8091]

Holy shit! Dolbys in B’more?! I’ll happily buy the man “a beer”, ( In Baltimore language, ‘a beer’ means drink all night and the next morning 🤠)

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

@@DC8091 Bottled lighting covering one hit wonders feels the companion piece to one hit wonderland by ToddInTheShadows

[@DC8091]

@@Thomasmemoryscentral umm awesome! Still, how/if/&when I can go a few blocks & buy/ & drink w/ Dolby, IM THERE!!! ( if ya can’t tell, I’m in Bmore)

[@Galloway17]

I was so excited to see this video! I’ve been a huge fan of Thomas Dolby since this song; I bought the album and realized how much deeper and utterly fantastic The Golden Age of Wireless was than the single led you to believe. I found a copy of the Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club album shortly thereafter and have always been saddened that they didn’t make it big. It’s still one of my favorite albums. I actually talked with Thomas when he spoke at my college in 1983 or 1984 and he said Bruce was always just a little too ahead of his time. My favorite concert of all time was Thomas on his Flat Earth tour - his touring band was so amazing and at one point I looked around this arena and everyone was dancing. The balcony was practically bouncing people were having so much fun. Can’t wait for the next part!

[@devodootie]

I really miss MTV… it was such a fantastic way to experience these iconic songs.

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

Same here! Although I was into ‘70s guitar rock, (Kiss, Aerosmith, Stones, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc). I graduated high school in 1980, so I grew up in my late teens and early 20s on MTV! Some stuff I didn’t like, but they played a wide variety, and I look back on some of the New Wave stuff with fondness! Just like I enjoyed the ‘90s grunge music too, and then some of the NuMetal bands after that! But really, after 2000, I didn’t see any new stuff I liked, and MTV had long ago stopped being a music channel!

[@devodootie]

@@Geezer-yf8hv I feel the same, I like music from all genres. I was a teen in the 80s & it was just life, but now I get to tell people about my experiences. One of our sons loves the rock music I do, & I recently took him to a couple of concerts. First we saw The Fabulous Thunderbirds & Foreigner, then we had tickets for a concert we’d waited 2 years to see. Joan Jett & the 🖤, Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, & Poison. We also had a meet & greet with Poison. It was soooo much fun watching him enjoy it! My husband was a teen in the 70s, so between both of us, there’s a very eclectic mix of music we love. Some nights we get together & watch the “I want my 80s MTV”, we enjoy every minute & skip the songs we do t like. 😂 Have a beautiful day!

[@bobablaw1298]

Remote Control with Ken Ober Head Bangers Ball with Ricky Rachtman And so many others are coming to mind. Then every goddamned show became another scripted "Reality Show." Senseless, misdirected reality. WTF??? "Let's see how these emotional freaks react this time!"

[@Andrea-xs4ny]

Agree. I was living in Columbus, Ohio, the test market for MTV. My friends and I, all in college, watched nothing else.

[@stevenhensley7250]

I met Mr Dolby at the hotel I worked at years ago. He was so nice and sincere. Not a trace of narcissism. Love his music.

[@deanhinther2206]

Everybody remembers "Science", but to truly appreciate what TD gave to us you have to talk about the deeper tracks, "Airwaves", "Flying North", "One of our Submarines", "Cloudburst at Shingle Street". These are the tracks that keep me coming back to this album. The same can be said about his sophomore release "The Flat Earth", Everybody only remembers "Hyperactive" but the deeper tracks are so much more satisfying. The title track "The Flat Earth" is so richly layered it is just begging for a high volume headphone listen.

[@JamesJones-zt2yx]

Hear, hear. I hope people will also give "Europa and the Pirate Twins" a listen.

[@riproar11]

If you're a Dolby fan, you know that many of his other tunes are better than "Science". "Submarines" is one of my favorites but some tunes not mentioned in the comments are "Weightless", "Airwaves", "Screen Kiss", "Budapest by a Blimp", "Windpower" and "I Live in a Suitcase".

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@JamesJones-zt2yx That one is awesome!

[@deanhinther2206]

@@riproar11 Wholeheartedly agree, I just didn't want to list every other song on the first two albums. I could continue on with everything from "Astronauts and Heretics" AND "A Map of the Floating City", two more solid albums. I do hope he gets the writing bug again soon and creates more music.

[@Dwendele]

Airwaves and Submarines were two of my favorites!

[@bryannawilliams2963]

I’ve been reading Dolby’s book The Speed of Sound and let me say his story is astounding. His experiences are so incredible, from beginnings with Foreigner to playing in Live Aid with David Bowie and beyond. Dude’s life is like a movie.

[@jen_alanfromchicago53]

As far as "synth-pop' or "new wave" I think Gary Numan deserves his own episode. 1979 "The Pleasure Principle ' was damn good introduction into this genre for a 13yr old. I believe if he was into that late 70's early 80's androgony scene he really would have gone places in the U.S. Either way he still a pioneer in those genres.👍

[@johnsowell4369]

I always loved "She Blinded Me With Science." Almost 40 years later, it still is a great song.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s been 40 years already since this song made it out to the world! I’m shocked!

[@johnsowell4369]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Yep. It was the spring of 1983 when I heard it

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@johnsowell4369 Same with my aunt! She was graduating at the time.

[@johnsowell4369]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 O was graduating high school at that time

[@hbofbyu1]

When this song came out I yelled "YES!" at my radio. It was a song where no sound was off limits and was so perfectly produced. I loved it. More music like this needs promotion instead of just conforming to the current fashion.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agree 100%

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It sounded like a relic of an alien civilization. And it was 40 years ago!!!! I prefer this to top 40 songs today!

[@albertornelas2562]

While working for a Music Store we were invited to the listening party in Los Angeles across the street from Capitol Records for “Aliens Ate My Buick”. Mr Dolby was totally down to earth. Once he found out some of the group were musicians he began talking about music with them. We all walked away thinking Thomas Dolby is totally cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He’s hilarious, witty, and just downright awesome!

[@specialkonacid6574]

I love that album

[@Shauma_llama]

I met him in San Francisco about 25 years ago, and was telling him how much I liked the song "My Brain is Like a Sieve" on that album, and he was really pleased I brought that up. 😀 Seemed very nice.

[@jennyjenny4501]

This song is still on my playlist! My 12 year old grandson and his friends requests it every time I pick them up from middle school!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha. That's so cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I was 13 when my aunt brought up the song after I said I hated science. She said pretty soon, someone will blind you with science. And you will end up loving science! So far, in high school, I loved biology and hated chemistry.

[@_Volt_Ron_]

That was great. I remember being a kid when MTV was shown for the first time on the west coast. This was one of those songs I fondly remember.

[@stevelanemusic4463]

I am a HUGE Dolby fan. I bought his albums when they came out. Adam, Phenomenal content yet again..!! He is such an audio giant. Writer, producer, musician, singer, he does it all. Love this man.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He’s so skilled at what he does.

[@ShamanWS6]

I was a total metalhead in the 80s when this came out............ and I still liked it. It was just a fun song.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

EVERYONE I have spoken to has loved this song.

[@OZARKMOON1960]

It always fascinates me how many folks we know with their own hits have worked with other acts and on other albums. Thanks for this one, Prof.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching my friend!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He worked on Pyromania, for example!

[@ryanrawlins]

I bought all his work as a kid. Thomas Dolby is my all time favorite artist. Still listen to his music today.

[@simonpsychosis2812]

Thomas Dolby is one of the most unsung artists of all time. He may not be prolific (5 or so albums in 40 years), but the work he has done is masterful, and needs to be revisited.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

You nailed it.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Thomas Dolby is so original and a fantastic musical artist. I like what he said about his vocals on his solo album that with his individualist sound you can hear the real person in it. It like you said this song is one of the songs that defined the 80s and MTV for that matter. It was what helped MTV become must see TV with alternative music we never got on radio. Great interview, Thomas is a fantastic interview with such a laid back personality that can really express himself. Thanks again for introducing us to the artists of the soundtrack of our lifes

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks My Name. Always love seeing your comments!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He is a synthpop master, for sure. This song was introduced to me by my aunt when I told her I hated science, and from then on, I was absolutely obsessed. Obsessed. The wacky video was always fun to watch too!

[@Chordonblue]

While 'Science' was a GREAT cut from a GREAT album, his next one, 'The Flat Earth' just astounded me. There wasn't really a hit on that album, but songs like Screen Kiss or Mulu the Rain Forest gave me serious goosebumps. Mr. Robertson influenced my own musical ambition as well as stretching what I thought was possible in music. SO glad to see him on his tour in 2012. He was on my bucket list of artists to see live and I was NOT disappointed.

[@kevinhines7917]

I turned 19 in 1983 and I have loved the song ever since. It's fun, it's interesting and fascinating. Musically well done. So incredibly original! It takes me back to my Army days.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I enjoyed the interview and how he created this song, it is a true classic, maybe you will love science now, lol

[@bicyclist2]

I'm old enough to remember when this song was new and on the radio in the 80's. I loved it. I still do. This brings back so many great memories of growing up in the best decade ever. I used to lip sync to this. And crank up the volume when I heard it in my car. So glad to see he's still alive. Thank you.

[@greatgibby]

I have always loved this song. I can remember running around as a kid shouting "SCIENCE". Thanks so much for this video. I was smiling the whole time and learned that he had actually hired a scientist to record and appear in the video. So much fun! 😎👍

[@airwaver5951]

Folk don’t realize the contribution this man made to the music industry. Forever original, his capacity to arrange textures, atmosphere and quirky lyrics is unparalleled and most people don’t even know his deeper work. Doing my best to change that.

[@mpersad]

"The Golden Age of Wireless" was, and is, one of my favourite albums of all time. It still sits in the top 5 LPs in my stack of current albums to play! Great interview.

[@jamespetersiii]

Thomas Dolby is the man! I still listen to his music. Flat Earth, Screen Kiss, Cloud burst, and I Love, Goodbye. Absolutely classics. He's a musical genius. He doesn't give himself enough credit. He is truly one of the greats. I rank him up there with other great artists like Prince.

[@Chordonblue]

Screen Kiss might just be one of my top 20 songs ever. Goosebump material, that!

[@chiddicx]

@@Chordonblue kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX-sgqV_jdGlhNk

[@Arkhangel99]

At Georgia Tech, the marching band place Blinded Me with Science every game and even does a quick run through the chorus by the trumpet section after first downs during football games.

[@ESternRN1967]

LOL, I thought only our marching band was crazy enough to play this song!

[@toddroper6599]

The very day I heard this song for the first time, I went straight to my local 'record store' and bought the album. I took it home, put it on the turntable and for afew hours listened to She blinded me with science over and over again. The entire time my girlfriend at the time and I danced in the living room with the stereo turned way up! It was glorious.

[@nadinerogers5653]

My favorite Thomas Dolby song is I Love You, Goodbye. Such a haunting sound

[@hbengineer]

Professor, thank you so much for doing this interview. The Golden Age of Wireless came out when I was in college and there wasn’t any place on campus you didn’t hear it! One of our Submarines is missing-another fantastic tune off that album. I’m pretty sure that album was responsible for breaking more than a few bass speakers back in the day. Great stuff!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for listening!

[@nowherecam2592]

I was Navy at the time and One of Our Submarines really resonated with me. Probably my favorite track on the album.

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

@@nowherecam2592 That's a favorite of mine as well.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The Golden Age of Wireless is a golden album indeed.

[@surlechapeau]

I met Thomas Dolby at a Thompson Twins concert and he graciously gave me his autograph(April 1984). I see now he had a concert 3 days later, 300 miles away. His "Hyperactive" is very catchy as well. edit- I remember now people in my dorm acting out his song in some sort of air guitar contest at school. I believe I was on drums.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Hyperactive is his best song IMO.

[@floepiejane]

@@ProfessorofRock Do that song, then. I agree.

[@tommurray5156]

Darn, the Prof beat me to it! Hyperactive is definitely his best song!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Super cool! Hyperactive is another great song from him. I also love Thompson Twins!

[@MultiPetercool]

Air-Head!!!

[@sirfriendzone1228]

I love Thomas Dolby! His Aliens Ate My Buick album is still on my regular listening list. 🎶

[@sirfriendzone1228]

The Keys To Her Ferrari, Hot Sauce, and Pulp Culture (along with Hyperactive and I Scare Myself) are some of my favorite songs of all time.

[@two-four_delta2899]

I can't count how many people I've turned on to Thomas Dolby's catalog of music. As an amateur keyboardist, producer and audiophile, Dolby ranks up there with some of my top influences, along with Rick Wright(Pink Floyd), Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran), Peter Gabriel and Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails). Dolby's song Commercial Breakup is one of my go-to recordings for evaluating an high-end audio systems. Great Stuff!!!

[@doplinger1]

Love his stuff, I think “Aliens Ate My Buick” is absolutely underrated, it’s fantastic from start to finish!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Great album.

[@seanswinton6242]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I agree. "Key To Her Ferrari", Ability To Swing" and the funky "May The Cube Be With Me" were my favourites. I had just begun working in an exclusively CD store and have a framed poster of that album cover on my wall. The songs I mentioned were apart of songs on band's set list from time to time. "Key To Her Ferrari" was a beast to play! We only performed it twice.

[@seanswinton6242]

Fact! I play that one and his 2 instrumental albums that followed on a regular basis.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@seanswinton6242 Super amazing!

[@doplinger1]

@@seanswinton6242 - I enjoy “Astronauts & Heretics” too, but “Aliens” is way better. I’m not too familiar with the instrumental albums, I’ll have to dive into them!

[@russellb5573]

Respect to Dolby! A production master! Thanks to him, I got the enhanced sound of Prefab Sprout and all their dreamy moments 🙏🏼 🇬🇧

[@ProfessorofRock]

Love Prefab Sprout!

[@Sdragnasty]

@@ProfessorofRock ANTIQUES! 😅

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Appetite is pop music perfection.

[@russellb5573]

@@ProfessorofRock Thanks for this one, especially! It meant a lot. Keep up with the good work you do, keeping the music alive. Even if I don't particularly relate to some of the artists you talk about, it's always entertaining to listen to what you put together, because of your consistent enthusiasm. Props from the UK 🇬🇧

[@russellb5573]

@@Sdragnasty "When love breaks down, the things you do, to stop the truth from hurting you". What a line!

[@richardjames6087]

What an EPIC 80s synth jam (with an underrated funk groove )! I don’t know why this popped into my head, but it would be amazing if you could get an interview with Eddy Grant to discuss “Electric Avenue” as well - keep up the great work 👍🏻

[@glennweeks7176]

Professor you did it again! This was one of the most unique artist' in the 80's. This song would get in your head and it was there to stay for a while. This guy sorta disappeared and I never really knew anything about him or this song as a whole. Your style of featuring 80's artist and packing 30 minutes of interesting content is unmatched. Again keep up the good work. Thanks Professor.

[@DWHarper62]

Check him on Spotify... He is a genius...

[@Bacchus69]

This is one of the most fun songs in pop music. Also, the synth in this song is lights out. I had no idea how prolific and influential he was within the music industry. Thanks for another great episode.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It sounded eerie and otherworldly. I loved it.

[@Bacchus69]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 That is a perfect description of that song.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@Bacchus69 For sure.

[@LSwick-ss6nm]

Let me say this...you my friend are the modern embodiment of the original MTV. Back then they not only played music but they brought the artists to the fans....rock on Professor!! I was pretty much a rock guy in the late 70's and then of course the 80's. But the first time I actually stopped and listened to Thomas Dolby I was instantly hooked on his sound. It was not only innovative but he did these unexpected, genius progressions that would cause me to rewind my tape and replay it just to enjoy the ride all over again.

[@tracieday8661]

Every time I watch this channel I get a smile on my face. I was 16 when this came out. I'm 56 now and...I Want My MTV!!!!!

[@chrispetrillo9042]

In 1983 I was in the 10th grade and when this album came out and it was revolutionary in every sense of the word. She blinded me with science is one of my all time favorite songs from my youth. The whole album is a masterpiece. I smoked a lot of marijuana listening to the Golden Age of Wireless!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

My aunt graduated high school at the same time this song peaked. It sounded like it came from another planet. Shows how much of a genius Thomas is.

[@esdel1955]

Much respect for Thomas Dolby, a brilliant musician and lyricist. Really enjoyed the interview.

[@j.b.8767]

As soon as I saw the thumbnail for this video, I thought: "This can ONLY be Thomas Dolby!" Nailed it. Great interview! Loved it!! Thanks for sharing it!

[@williambenner5550]

I remember when I discovered this song on MTV. I was totally blown away by its creativity. At this time I didn't know anything about Dobby, only that I thought the song was brilliant. Thanks for the back story Professor!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks William!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I remember my aunt introducing me to this song because I said that I hated science. 🧪

[@shazabrahim5208]

"Waiting for a girl like you" for me really highlights the creative genius of Thomas Dolby. Would have loved to hear him speak about his work with Foreigner.

[@shanehebert396]

Love this song. It came about at a time when us geeks/nerds were really blowing up our own subculture... computers, D&D, scifi, etc. and songs like this made it OK to be proud of our subculture and celebrate it rather than just feel left out.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

This was the total nerd song in 1983. I sometimes feel left out as well because I listen to older music unlike my peers in school, but I won’t let that stop me. Nothing will stop me from listening to these classics.

[@dmzabo3914]

Revenge of the Nerds movie era.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Huey Lewis had to complain about it: “It’s Hip to be Square.” Oh no, control of the universe by sports fans isn’t total and complete!! What’s wrong with the world?! Haha. Well i’d rather hear TD or Talking Heads any day to be honest.

[@shanehebert396]

Yeah, those were a part of geek culture too. For Talking Heads, "Burning Down the House" got some play in the popular circles but all the rest was pretty much nerd music. There were other bands, too, who had a couple/few popular hits but who the geeks liked a lot.

[@neugey]

Thank you so much for interviewing Mr. Dolby! Hope there is more to come! Golden Age of Wireless and The Flat Earth are incredible records. The perfect mix of prog rock with techno/synth pop.

[@stephenbrown4211]

The scientist Dr Magnus Pyke was a celebrity in his own right. He was a presenter on a TV science show called Don’t Ask Me and he really acted the mad scientist.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I've learned this through research. Thanks for sharing.

[@peterbustin2683]

I believe he was the Government's scientific officer, too.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I remember him! He was in the video!

[@GallifreyanGunner]

They used to broadcast episodes of Don't Ask Me on TVOntario (an educational TV channel, here in Canada) back in the 70s so I knew who Magnus Pyke was when the song came out. The man was a real British eccentric. His first cousin Geoffrey Pyke was another eccentric inventor who experimented with idea of making an unsinkable aircraft carrier made of pykrete (ice made with sawdust) during WWII.

[@KyleS3m3noff]

It must have been Don't Ask Me, but I remember watching him on a TV show growing up as a kidlet in New Zealand... for some reason I always remembered it as being called It's Academic, but that was a completely different show, I guess.

[@flightoffancy]

I remember being a young teen and loving this music because of its synthesizer sound. Love it 🥰

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He really knew how to work with synths.

[@richardgale4827]

Dolby's 'Windpower' was the first single I bought where the stereo mix made me want to put a chair in the middle of the room. 'The Golden Age of Wireless' is an album that captures its time, but also stands up well all these years later.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@AnUnseenRuler]

Such a great song

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

And this was recorded forty years ago! I still do not believe it at all.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

That PPG bassline. So good. Amazing production on that track. Great lyrics too. It’s like Star Trek, an appeal to move into the future using a humane notion of technological progress. Love it.

[@TheUffeess]

It's not often you get to see an interview when both the interviewer and the interviewee are knowledgeable and humble. Good work!👍

[@elizabethstump4077]

I've always wondered if his song, "Europa and the Pirate Twins" was based/inspired on real life events. But of all my favorite songs from Thomas Dolby was "I Scare Myself". That slow jazz melody with Spanish guitar was so haunting. Even as a teenager, I thought it one of the most sensual and romantic songs to come out of the 80's. And even now, few songs have reached its level as sophistication.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Great songs.

[@bitterrotten]

I discovered Europa and the Pirate Twins 2 years ago, was obsessed with it, and wondered the same thing. I read that he liked to make up scenarios for songs which tracks with his explanation here about where his inspiration for She Blinded Me With Science came from.

[@Monyornothin]

I had the 45 single on vinyl. God I feel old! Absolutely loved hangin with professor and thomas 'dolby' !! 🤟😎

[@johnsavarese6365]

My first introduction to Thomas Dolby was the song "One of Our Submarines". After learning the tragic inspiration, I loved it even more..... he was eulogizing his uncle and shipmates.

[@trynsurviven2440]

So many of those songs from the 80’s were larger than life. Glad I was able to experience it.

[@mermurwag7157]

One of my favorite Thomas Dolby songs is I Live in a Suitcase. Love the part in it that starts with, "They say, travel broadens the mind..."

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great lyric.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

As a travel nerd, I approve this song.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Golden Age of Wireless changed my notions of the personal aspect of pop music. I loved Kraftwerk and Devo already, but there was something about the personal aspect of Dolby’s music that spoke to a deeper place. Songs like Windpower, Europa, One of Our Submarines, Flying North and Screen Kiss, all had this emotional resonance that was unique. Add to that amazing sound design, interesting chordal and melodic choices and incredible musicianship (including bass guitar work by the incredible Matthew Seligman, RIP). It was simply beautiful to be there. And it wasn’t overblown or pretentious like Duran Duran or whatever. It was a real breath of fresh air. Hats off to TD. 🙏🥰

[@mournblade1066]

Haven't watched this yet, but I know Thomas Dolby is a professor at Johns Hopkins University, of all things. As a synth player myself, Dolby is one of my idols. Larry Fast (who recorded under the moniker "Synergy") is another synth hero of mine; he also played with Dolby on Foreigner's albums. Fast was also the keyboardist for Peter Gabriel's first four albums.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thomas has had quite the career since 1983...

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I would have never guessed that his next job after musician was professor! This guy is just a straight up legend, PERIOD.

[@Joe-Flow]

I remember when Roger Waters did The Wall in Berlin right after the real wall came down. Thomas Dolby was the prosecutor for the Trial. He was dangling from strings, wearing a costume with long arms and legs. Such a Classic!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I wish I had seen that in person!

[@DWHarper62]

Actually, Thomas Dolby played the teacher in that version... Tim Curry was the prosecutor...

[@hallucinati]

YESS!! THANK YOU! I have been WAITING for this one!

[@leoborganelli3558]

Absolutely stellar interview Prof! The songs of my teen years! Thanks

[@RijackiTorment]

Loved the song then and still love it now. Thank you for the interview and all. Well done!

[@cianhogan]

This interview made me so happy. Brilliant, great to see

[@McBrewmeister]

Best episode ever!! Thank you for taking a deep dive into his broad repertoire of contributions to the best decade of music.

[@MsThebeMoon]

Great interview! Loved this, loved this, loved this. One of my all time fav songs. Can't wait to see the next episodes! Interesting artist who has always intrigued me. Thank you to Dolby and The Professor.

[@VinateroNails]

One of the best of many interviews I’ve seen with TD 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@mdduckman]

Haven’t watched the video yet, but he’s a professor at Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute in Baltimore and I’ve met him before at a concert in July of 2018. Super awesome guy and very down to earth. Also has a wonderful book on his life that I highly recommend called The Speed of Sound. Thx for the video which I’m about to watch.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I’d love to take one of his classes!

[@tangoandcars9588]

The whole album is a synth masterpiece. This song and airwaves are probably my favorite. ⚡️

[@ProfessorofRock]

So good! I agree.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He’s so amazing.

[@tomruffner6283]

P.O.R. Great interview. I like your exploration of the artist’s creative process. You do a great job of teasing out the details from many different aspects from conception, writing, recording and making the music video. Your conversation with Dolby is one of your best!

[@pdmullgirl]

What a great song and video. I remember the first time I saw it on MTV. I knew I wanted to see it again and again. It was so different and original. And even when I see it today I stop and watch until the end. Same with the song. And while I’m listening to the song I can envision the video in my head. They just go together so well. Not all music videos went with their song(s). At least in my opinion. Just a really great song and video. Great interview. Thanks Professor! ❤️💜💚

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome episode Professor! I always think of how much me and my cousin liked this song and video! Great to see Thomas Dolby today! Great interview! Amazing how such futuristic music is now old and classic nowadays! Thanks for keeping the music alive Professor!

[@scottburton9701]

"She Blinded Me With Science" is a certifiable classic!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

For sure, Scott. For sure.

[@rdaj12]

To this day, it's this is my favorite 80's song and it just gets better with age. So iconically 80s!!

[@3Scalpel]

Great interview with a phenomenal talent in Dolby. Really enjoyed the trip back to the 80s and sharing in the collective memories-there is something magical that happens when group experiences are brought forth in this way. An impromptu community arises, bound together despite our geographical distances, in youth and love for transcendent music. Thanks, professor!

[@seanspringer1328]

I have enjoyed every episode I've seen, but this one stands out to me as being exceptional. Well done Adam!

[@joeangell5652]

What a great song by a ridiculously talented artist! Great video Professor. You brought back so many memories. Thank you!

[@babygerald4645]

So glad you got to interview the amazing Thomas Dolby. He is an innovator and creative juggernaut. Brilliant man. Thank you again, Professor!

[@mitchellbaker9434]

Before he did any of the stuff noted here, he manned the keyboards in the band backing another unique 80's performer named Lene Lovich. He wrote a great song for her called "New Toy", which was another MTV hit. You can plainly see how young he was in that video.

[@Andrea-xs4ny]

Thanks for the interview, Professor. Big fan of Dolby! Aliens Ate My Buick is one of my favorite albums. I had it on cassette and wore that baby out.

[@philliphibbs5179]

The Professor interviews the Professor. Nice! You do a fantastic service to music and to the people who love the music of our gereration. THANKS!!!

[@comedianmattrossey]

What a killer video when it came out! And it hasn't lost any ground as far as the quality and production value and quality! As equally, the song itself was a masterpiece of auditory art. I love that Thomas Dolby was creating the video, song, and instrumentation essentially backwards to how most people create songs, starting with the music first, then lyrics, then the video is usually something completely different. It really answers the question why the song and video worked so well together, and completes why the music fit in between both perfectly. That is pure genius, and Pure Genius is what Thomas Dolby has always been known for. Awesome interview Adam. Very natural and complete in every way. Keep Safe Always, 3 Chords and the Truth, Matt - Toronto, Canada

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

I have turned a bunch of kids on to this song. Yesterday was my neighbors 2nd birthday 🎂. This little girl was shaking it fast . Showing us what she's working with!

[@ProfessorofRock]

You're up early today!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Happy birthday to your neighbor! ❤

[@DWHarper62]

I am glad you are delving into his career in a future episode because his recorded catalog is spectacular with a really great multimedia record/project in The Map of the Floating City in 2011. One of my all time favorite artists...

[@gsmith207]

Gold Proff! Your the best at these interviews.

[@pjeffries301]

Wonderful work, Professor. Thx.

[@josephmythosian5432]

Thanks for this. Dolby has been one of my favorite artists ever since I heard this song. It was definitely his geekiness that attracted me. Then I learned what a great storyteller he is. Hooked for life.

[@RC32Smiths01]

My Dad was always known to put this one on multiple times, no doubt it's stuck in my mind forever haha. I can't wait to hear the story and history behind it!

[@ProfessorofRock]

You'll dig it. Thomas is so cool.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The video is even more memorable!

[@pucky900]

I make sure my sweet baby girls know who these great bands/musicians are now to the point where they "discover" them on their own. ya... you are welcome. I even make sure they know who Danny Elfman is.... law in the home.. You need to do segment on Elfman!!!!

[@TheEthernut815]

A brilliant take on British music very insightful. Take you for this interview.

[@charleyanne]

I think this was the *BEST* interview, to date!!! Another humble human & it seems like he allowed you to ask anything. I know some have "off limits" questions. The *Big Bang Theory* theme was an important nugget!!! A few years back we started from the beginning (we came to the party late on that one), I didn't remember that being the theme song. I know Barenaked Ladies wrote a great song but in line with the show, this song would've been perfect!!! Thank you Adam, PoR, for this class today, I learned a lot!!! 🤘🏼✌🏼🎧🎵🎶🎷🎸🎹🎺🎻🎼🪕🎤

[@Janny_Gurrrl]

As part of the original MTV generation, thank you for featuring one of my favorite 80’s hits. But I was disappointed you didn’t discuss what was, imo, one of the best pop music bridges of all time (along with the one in Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face”). 🤘🏼👍🏼 🎶 I don’t believe it! There she goes again! She’s tidied up and I can’t find anything!!🎶

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I’ve used that lyric many times to describe my frustration with the cleaners moving my stuff! 😂

[@jamesburningham1860]

Thomas Dolby is a Genius! When this song came out and seeing the video on MTV, instant hit! Just proved the power of the new form of art, that music videos had. "SBMWS" is and always will be a classic! I'm so glad for this interview you had with him. And so excited and can't wait to see the other ones too! Thank you!

[@graysonbr]

Great vblog. Loved the interview, lot there I didn't know of about Thomas!

[@lisahaubert6873]

One of my favorites from back then, I never tire from hearing it!! This one and "Everybody wants to rule the world", I could listen to it every day!!! Thanks for this episode!!

[@mattharriss3835]

this song was in all the mix of the movies of the 80's like Revenge of the Nerds and Weird Science.... it just fit in so perfectly with everything that was happening. Great interview with Thomas! Another great show! 👍

[@guyinoakland]

One of your best interviews. What an amazing talent. Thomas produced and worked with so many other artists. Back in the 80's I was a huge fan of his, and kept up with all his amazing work outside of his solo chareer. Thank You for interviewing Mr. Dolby

[@gioknows]

This is truly one of my all time favorite songs...I have played this song so many times I can't even guess. Thomas Dolby is a wonderful artist. I also LOVE the song "I Scare Myself". I would love it if you did a video on that song. Thank you for doing THIS video. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada.

[@kevinm3059]

Great interview Doctor!

[@thomasford4235]

Great stuff as usual!

[@tgtrout]

Great interview and treatise! I proudly have my vinyl copy in my collection to this day and it's mint. Don't forget The Art of Noise.

[@gw10758]

Wow!!! Thanks for the insight..... and the trip back to when I first saw MTV in the early 80's...

[@chathamcrescent]

Thank you, Mr. Doby, for your moment of insanity which has been one of my favorite tracks of all time!! One of my fondest memories of my college days is watching the awesome video and listen to this awesome song over and over again. Also, how are you so ageless-you look fantastic!

[@blackwhitemore1468]

Fun info and memories. I loved seeing T Dolby again and hearing the background to the sing and video. Yep, I am from the generation that can tell you exactly the first moment I remember seeing MTV. Pretty cool!

[@GuareschiGuillermo]

Great interview❤

[@drewjuancano9665]

I love Dolby so much. Such great memories from his songs.