"Hyperactive!" is a single by British musician Thomas Dolby, taken from his second album 'The flat earth', released in 1984. Additional vocals were provided by Louise Ulfstedt.
According to Thomas Dolby, he initially composed the song for Michael Jackson, whom he met in 1982. He decided to record it by himself since he never got any feedback from Jackson after sending him a demo tape.
It was the first single to be taken from the album and peaked at number 17 on the UK singles chart, but only reached number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100. A remix was also done of the song, which became quite popular in clubs and on dance charts.
My collection: 7" single no. 5384 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Hyperactive' / 'White city'
This 12" single features the long version of 'I scare myself', a track taken from Thomas Dolby's 1984 album 'The Flat earth'. This is actually the album version of the track; it was edited on the 7" single. 'I scare myself' was written by American singer/songwriter Dan Hicks and it was the only cover version on the seven track album.
'The Flat earth' was re-released in 2009 with no less than eight bonus tracks, one of which was a live version of 'I scare myself'. It can't match this perfect studio recording which is so beautifully produced.
My collection: 12" single no. 258 Found: Record exchange, London, October 1995 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'I scare myself (long version)' / 'Puppet theatre', 'Cloudburst at shingle street (edited version)'
Thomas Dolby's 'She blinded me with science' was originally released in October 1982 as a single in October 1982 and subsequently included on the second edition of his debut album 'The golden age of wireless'. The single only reached number 49 in the UK singles chart, but when it was released in the USA, it reached number 5 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song's title 'She blinded me with science' plays upon the British expression 'to blind with science', meaning to deliberately confuse someone by giving the impression of highly complex knowledge. In the song, however, the phrase is interpreted as a straightforward reference to the natural sciences. The song features interjections from the British scientist and TV presenter Magnus Pyke, who repeatedly shouts 'Science!' and delivers other lines in a deliberately over-the-top "mad scientist" voice.
My collection: 7" single no. 4337 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'She blinded me with science' / 'One of our submarines'
Thomas Dolby released his second album 'The flat earth' in 1984. The single 'I scare myself' was taken from that album. As young as I was, I immediately recognised this work of genius. It is an ingenious track, mixing modern sounds with latin-inspired brass work.
The single peaked at number 24 in the Dutch Top 40, Dolby's only hit single in this country.
My collection: 7" single no. 907 Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'I scare myself' / 'Cloudburst at Shingle street'
Thomas Dolby was born as Thomas Morgan Roberston on October 14, 1958. His 'Dolby' nickname comes from the Dolby Laboratories, and was given to him by school friends due to his seemingly inseparable relationship with his cassette machine. Thomas Dolby released his debut album 'The golden age of wireless' in 1982. This track included 'Windpower'.
I got to know 'Windpower' via a different album: it was included on a compilation album to benefit Greenpeace in 1985. During my last visit to London's Beanos record shop in its original form, I picked up this single at a bargain price.
My collection: 7" single no. 3442
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, June 19, 2006
This 12" single features the long version of 'I scare myself', a track taken from Thomas Dolby's 1984 album 'The Flat earth'. This is actually the album version of the track; it was edited on the 7" single. 'I scare myself' was written by American singer/songwriter Dan Hicks and it was the only cover version on the seven track album.
Thomas Dolby's 'She blinded me with science' was originally released in October 1982 as a single in October 1982 and subsequently included on the second edition of his debut album 'The golden age of wireless'. The single only reached number 49 in the UK singles chart, but when it was released in the USA, it reached number 5 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Thomas Dolby released his second album 'The flat earth' in 1984. The single 'I scare myself' was taken from that album. As young as I was, I immediately recognised this work of genius. It is an ingenious track, mixing modern sounds with latin-inspired brass work.
Thomas Dolby was born as Thomas Morgan Roberston on October 14, 1958. His 'Dolby' nickname comes from the Dolby Laboratories, and was given to him by school friends due to his seemingly inseparable relationship with his cassette machine. Thomas Dolby released his debut album 'The golden age of wireless' in 1982. This track included 'Windpower'.
