Music Review: Thomas Dolby "She Blinded Me With Science"

Thomas Dolby

She Blinded Me With Science

Album: Golden Age of Wireless

Year: 1982

         Thomas Dolby’s hormones get out of control around a beautiful woman in the  witless “She Blinded Me With Science.”

             A stiff synth falls, setting an educational tone. The chorus starts with the single.  He’s mesmerized as she stares back at him. Her big eyes zero in on him and his mouth goes dry. He’s tingling everywhere and feels his palms sweat. He is unable to control his bodily functions around her. British scientist Magnus Pyke interjects with the song’s title. (“It's poetry in motion/She turned her tender eyes to me/As deep as any ocean/As sweet as any harmony/But she blinded me with scienc/"She blinded me with science!"/And failed me in biology.”)

            She takes his hands in hers and they sway lightly on the dancefloor. The jasmine scent from her perfume enters in her nose and it’s becomes the most wonderful thing he’s ever inhaled. Again, Pyke continues with his mad scientist rants amid ominous synths, awaiting an explosion. (“When I'm dancing close to her/"Blinding me with science - science!"/I can smell the chemicals/"Blinding me with science - science!"/"Science!"/"Science!")

             In the second chorus, he adds that he has stepped on her feet, forgetting to lead and moving them in weird shapes on the dancefloor. Thankfully,  Pyke decides to take a break. (“But it's poetry in motion/And when she turned her eyes to me/As deep as any ocean/As sweet as any harmony/But she blinded me with science/And failed me in geometry.”)

           There is something building between them. He senses it will be a great romance. Pyke makes up for his absence with more rants. (“When she's dancing next to me/"Blinding me with science - science!"/"Science!"/I can hear machinery/"Blinding me with science - science!"/"Science!")

              In the bridge, he says she’s taking off his clothes. His world is making sense. She’s let him discover new things. Pyke comments on the woman’s good looks, implying she may be older. She has rearranged his thinking and now he doesn’t know how he used to be. He’s now a cool guy. (“It's poetry in motion/And now she's making love to me/The spheres're in commotion/The elements in harmony/She blinded me with science/"She blinded me with science!"/And hit me with technology/"Good heavens Miss Sakamoto - you're beautiful!"/I don't believe it!/There she goes again!/She's tidied up, and I can't find anything!/All my tubes and wires/And careful notes/And antiquated notions.”)

            A third chorus is sung to end the single with one final interjection from Pyke.  (“But! - it's poetry in motion/And when she turned her eyes to me/As deep as any ocean/As sweet as any harmony/But she blinded me with science/"She blinded me with - with science!"/She blinded me with.”)

        Dolby’s gawky vocals are unable to fuction. He’s stunned that such a pretty woman has given him the time of day, much less be in his bed. It’s a fantasy come to life.

          Pyke’s exclamations are intrusive, sliding the single from acceptable camp into a kitschy b-movie that only a snarky commentary could make entertaining.

        The awkward “She Blinded Me With Science”  is an experiment gone awry, imploding without any warning.