Thomas Dolby - Radio Silence

[videocanone]

Like Kraftwerk but with a sense of Humor !

[drumdude46]

so "Sci-Fi" just love this guy. he was ahead of his time by far. Try "Airwaves".  just so beautiful. just pure genius!

[SamuelFTWBlood]

Thomas Dolby is the baddest Man ever! He is higher than Avenged Sevenfold on my list, and AX7 reached god status. That makes hims the father of a god. He is so bomb, he'd beat Chuck Norris in an awesome contest.

[dingorooo]

@SamuelFTWBlood Wow, thats some strong language!

[SamuelFTWBlood]

@dingorooo Gotta Expresss your opinions, dude.

[xyaqua]

Karyl-ine 452- you will always be my apple, in San Antonio or anywhere. You have someone watching over your shoulder. You and Thomas Dolby kept my spirit alive a third of century ago.

[wannabechef21]

Damn I love him!!

[xyaqua]

I knew a girl named Karyline, her street address was 452, i still obsess about her. Stalk her. Assure her kids and her husband live happily and securely. This song cradled me through my adolescence. The lovely voicess i'm sure are more beautiful than Karyl's, but whe'll always be an angel to me.

Obsession? Not even close!!! Buti take good care of the ones i love...all of them

[CKtheFat]

If you stalk her, that's considered an obsession. Particularly if she doesn't know about it...

[Castile100]

Always preferred the original version of this, but this one is good as hell too. T. Dolby was amazing!

[PerianArdocyl]

Songs like these make me sad Dolby didn't come out with a slew of other hits... but I'm addicted to the ones he did come out with.

[mlaechel]

Never liked this version. This was actually a redo I believe from the original version that was on his golden age of wireless. Look it up, its guitar based and really rocks. Type in Radio Silence alternative version. Dont understand why artists redo thier songs. Like ZZ top redoing 'Legs' with that newer crap version. The Original 'Legs' was way better. As was the original version of this song. But it wasnt 'synth' enough so he redid it. Look up the original version and crank that.

[himself801]

The other version as Lene Lovich chanting "Try to think of nothing" like a mantra.

Artist do change their opinions of their recordings particularly if they weren't completely pleased with the first one. Given that both versions were recorded about the same time, he probably hadn't, in his mind, nailled it.

ZZ Top probably are chasing a hit, by revisiting a previous one, as it's been awhile they had one.

[ilovefunnyamv2nd]

this is great, and really far out there, 'she blinded me with science' is the most popular, and yet there are so many better songs out from him, I guess they're just too 'out there' to be liked by the big general public, shame....

[creatornat]

@ilovefunnyamv2nd ..Agreed-he has many, many amazing songs, all amazing for different reasons.

[Tazz77]

Love it. Synth-pop at its best.

[zupos1234]

All of his stuff was fantastic. In retrospect it was cool for him to be into the shortwave radio gear and all the radio stuff. The 80's were so closed minded (although few from that ear would admit so) but Dolby was actually quite out there (even his hits) in the same way that Elvis Costello was at the time. Those types were pigeon-holed as 'new wave' but were much more than the Duran-Durans of their time. YAWNNNnn...Okay, enough soap boxing, this old fart has to get some sleep ;-) great vid!

[groovechaser]

I love this version. I saw this on early MTV and ran out to the store to cop this on vinyl. I got it home and put it on. I couldn't believe that the "other" version was on there instead of this one. The only reason I kept the album was for "One of Our Submarines". Just my opinion, but this version is a lot better than the other one, but I couldn't find this version at the time. I would have traded someone for it.

[wintervannicola]

totally agree with you, this version is so much better than the guitar version. To me, this version is a masterpiece. I love this Radio Silence version!

[himself801]

The Golden Age Of Wireless - Remastered & Expanded (Incl. Bonus DVD) [IMPORT] released this year has both versions, the original song sequence and bonus tracks.

Also a DVD of a live performance but it's probably the European PAL standard which wouldn't play on US DVD Players.

[Sociocognitivism]

Does anyone know that there's a movie called "The Boat That Rocked" coming out based on 1960s pirate station Radio Caroline?

[DoctorMordrid]

Hey, excellent is still excellent, no matter what it looks like.

[303391301]

you suck fucker

[miriamcanales]

'm not a suck fucker, be more gentle with unknown people. You're very rude and disgusting.

Thanks for your opinion about me :) Have a nice day.

[miriamcanales]

All the best for you, stupid bastard, it's nice knowing people so nice like you. (or airhed, like TD said) :D.............

[himself801]

I only have notion of what is was about given entries were deleted, but NOT everyone has to agree on everything.

As long as the comments show thought and aren't mean spirited, let it go and make your own comment on why you like it or don't like it.

The name calling and abuse is not necessary or of any true use, unless of course your a troll out to rattle the cage, then you should be dutifully ignored.

[kristianjoneid]

just awesome his music the golden age of wireless album a true classic still have the one i bought of my pocket money he is a genius glad i grew up with his music just mindblowing

[navyboydjray]

80's goodness. Why can't we have music like this now days? Oh yeah because you need talent.

[noiseovshadow]

Got an odd vertion of this song from an American import of"golden age" just pure class tho, nuff said.Noiseovshadow

[superspit]

2.42 onwards.......sublime!

[terebi916]

What I wouldn't give for that piano-key necklace! :)

[stronggoes]

love this one...the golden age of wireless indeed..still have me tape

[cyragon1]

"Why are we wearing bras on our heads?" "Ceremonial"

[wintervannicola]

This has always been my favorite Thomas Dolby song. Vintage Music Television also.

[winteregon]

Real art music,real new wave!!!I love still,and more!!!!

[K33peRn]

O_o ohh old goldies

That era, New Musik-T.Dolby-Landscape..and ofc Kraftwerk.. and this was just b4 synth exploded like the mainstream movement.

thnx 4 posting

[pierstheoneandonly]

Elegiac, poetical and all the things component of real art. Political too, but subtly so - makes its point powerfully without hitting you over the head (or blowing itself and you into atoms).

[tschak909]

Is Caroline still broadcasting over radio? I haven't heard the broadcasts in a very long time. I live in the states now.

[tschak909]

As a commenter pointed out here, Radio Caroline is a pirate radio station that broadcasted from a boat off the shore in England on the shortwave radio band (do most americans even know what shortwave IS?), starting in 1964... She no longer broadcasts from that boat, but is now a commercial radio station on satellite radio now... sad... but I remember. We always will remember. For me it was the seminal interview with members of Can. Thank you Mr. Dolby for immortalising her.

[jmoffia]

ok so im 12 going on 13 and i love anything thomas dolby more then any rap comin out its pretty weird and i also like alton brown hahaha

[Flashpoint922]

You're on the right track, youngin..

[creatornat]

@jmoffia ..That is hilarious. But I could totally see you liking both of them, as they strangely favor one another, in an odd, sort of way. You have fantastic taste, by the way-never lose it!!! XD

[tschak909]

Long live Radio Caroline (for those of us who know what this song is really about.)

:)

[MrUnidyne]

Note how the singer laments his lost love, Caroline, like an empty radio frequency.

[shockadelica]

Who or what is Radio Caroline? When did this come out? They only played it once on VH1Classic...

[Jourell1]

Radio Caroline is a legendary pirate radio station that originally broadcast from a boat off Britain in 1964. Despite losses and legal troubles over the decades they're still going. there has also been a legal onshore station since 1991. Dolby has never specifically said its about Radio Caroline but we all "know" it is. Radio Silence was released as part of "The Golden Age of Wireless" in 1982

[metamatica]

oh - and Daniel Miller (of Mute record label fame) produced this little gem!

[kinglopez2]

dolby double 'D' (;^D)

[hindsighter]

Thank you, Jon. You see, as a child growing up in the seventies the synth version sounded eerie and alienated; so new and groundbreaking, especially in conjunction with the video. I'm glad you are so understanding.

[NYFMA]

The 'other' version is richer and smoother in many ways than this one. This one is very rough and raw sounding. I'm sure TD worked on it a lot and came up with these 2 alternates. I prefer the more widely heard other version, much smoother texture.

[cheese9684756985]

do you know where it can be heard?

[metamatica]

The 'other' version is on the B-side to the 7" single.

[cheese9684756985]

thank you, i just heard it, and i still think this one is better because the other is too smooth (right word?).

[metamatica]

I agree completely - the other version is more of a 'rock-thing' as I recall.

I remember back in the day when buying the single I saw it had another version and I couldn't wait to hear it...what a let down!(I've gotten over it since though;-)

Dolby is here doing what he's clearly(IMO) best at; great quirky sounding DIY synth-pop tunes:-)

[creatornat]

@metamatica ..I had the same experience!

[Zrcalo]

I have the alternate version. it kicks so much more ass than this version. lol. if you want, I'll put up a vid with it.

[hindsighter]

Obviously, there's no accounting for taste. I've just listened to the version you posted, and it sounds so unimaginative and unexperimental, just like run-of-the-mill rock and roll. You can't beat a good old-fashioned analogue Minimoog, Crumar Perfomer and Simmons SDS-V drums.

[Zrcalo]

who was that directed at?

and which version?

oh, and the version I posted was the first version. you must like micropop instead of new wave.

thomas dolby ftw.

and why are you using the spanish version? there's an english youtube as well.

[hindsighter]

1st part: It was directed at you,Zrcalo, and I'm talking about that alternative version you posted (why alternative if it was the first version?). I like early, raw, analogue synthesizer music (Bach/Walter Carlos, Kraftwerk, Thomas Dolby's early efforts). I don't know what you mean by "micropop". I assume it must be one of those lesser music forms like techno or house enjoyed by some subhuman species.

[Zrcalo]

naw, it's a term for less popular pop music.

I've heard dolby's earlier works. they remind me of throbbing gristle.

and yes, that is the first version that the americans did not like so they made a more 'pop-like' version (the one above) to satisfy americans who did not like new wave. (the version I posted was the first version and more new-wave than the other)

although I reatly enjoy the version I posted becase of the way it sets itself up. I find it has more of a climax than the other.

[hindsighter]

Interesting chat. It's 5 in the morning here; I'm off to sleep to the sound of Jarre

[hindsighter]

2nd part: I'm more inclined to classical music, but you must be too young to understand me. By the way, I used the Spanish version because I'm living in a Spanish-speaking country.

[Zrcalo]

that is a valid point there, and a logical argument.

[AceOfJon]

I think both are good versions in they're own right.

[hindsighter]

An afterthought:I've just watched your videos. You're clearly very broadminded, keep up the good work.

[TheJadeFairy]

There is an alternate version to this? Never heard it.Would love to.

[8diet]

Great song!

[winteregon]

//I LOVE THIS SONG//

[nerdelicious5]

so awesome! I'm curious about that alternate version you guys are talking about...

[Babaziba]

The "alternate" version is only on the original version of GOLDEN AGE OF WIRELESS LP. Lots of guitar, no female voice, harder percussion. Tears this one to shreds.

[meyersd66]

Are you sure this was realred on Golden Age of Wireless? Although it's a good version it completely would be like a fish out of water on that album. Sounds like the song was written for something else, then Dolby re-recorded it for the album.

[sleepconvention]

In my honest opinion, one of the best tracks TMRD ever did. You have to play this one LOUD! Then you'll get it, too.

[EUROPHOBIC]

brill vocal from Lene Lovich...Dolby produced her only hit "Lucky Number"

[jjsoft08]

Poor old Thomas

Caroline 452 had to succumb to the 'commercial scene' in this version with crappy 80s girl vocals (slap em! - the producers).

The real radio caroline is beached near us in Tollesbury, Essex!

[axecollector]

Was always fascinated that this version is totally different than the one on the LP...

[Redzombie13]

man, i remember this video when i was a little little boy growing' up watching mtv when it had the original "fab five" vj's and used to show real freakin' music videos at the time;p!!! thomas dolby was one of my favorite synth pop/new wave artists that influenced many of the artists that are out today such as trent reznor of nine inch nails, filter, charlie clouser, lustmord, and even marilyn manson....

[scientifico]

I'm still looking for a girl like Caroline... "with her eyes so red and her lips so blue."

Or maybe even the Eurythmics "Jennifer," with her orange hair, her green eyes and dress of deepest purple (look it up if u don't believe me!)

Love this song though. Seriously.Nerds don't die.

[Victheremin]

Dolby still has an amazing visual sense -- and a fascination with the archaic/technical. You should have seen him on his latest "sole inhabitant" tour. He builds some of his own gear. It was great seeing all the 20-something DJs there to pay him well-deserved homage.

[lvn4life]

Funny thing, I dont remember this video, but I have this album and used to listen to this song and then Europa and the pirate twins (my fav on the album). Glad this song has a video.

[littleshorty2]

I love Thomas Dolby so much!He was one of my favorites.

[crowamonghens]

this video singlehandedly got me intrigued by shortwave radio

[schnubbellinchen]

einfach geniale musik und stimme damals gewesen. diese lieder hört man heute noch gerne !!

[ewanspacey]

Try to think of nothing/try to think of nothing/try to think of nothing/try to think of nothing/try to think of nothing...

[julianveronica]

i bought this album, "golden age of wireless" on cassette at peaches records and tapes in greensboro, NC. everything you bought there smelled like woodsy incense for months and months. (anybody from NC remember peaches records and tapes?)

[PoPoNellie]

I had a cousin that lived in Greensboro back in the mid to late 70's. I think he moved before Peaches became a staple of NC retail but I remember seeing ads for a new store in Greensboro.

[tiltawhirl72]

There was a Peaches in Richmond, when I was like 15 years old.... and that was, well let's just say a long time ago....

[Redzombie13]

have you notice that most of thomas dolby's lyrics deals with mostly scientific subject matter... regardless if it's dealing with obsession, love, or love loss, he wraps it all around a science subject matter. that's what made him so intirguing back in the early 80's during the new wave/synth pop era!!!

[Redzombie13]

i remember when i was little boy watching mtv alot and thomas dolby was one of my favorite artists at the time... just like trent reznor of nine inch nails utilized the aesthetics of industrial music and dance music into a harsher, pop song structure, thomas dolby utilized pop song structure into electronic music/synth pop... i also loved "europa" and she blinded me with science"!!! next to drums i love the synthesizer alot!!! i'm glad to see that the video is posted on youtube

[bishop42962]

I remember there were two versions of this song back then, a harder guitar version and this one. This is the version I fell in love with. I got the album and heard Leipzig, Weightless, and Urges. Great songs, especially Weightless. I saw Live Wireless on MTV and been wanting to see it again eversince.

[TrickyGap]

One of my "80's greatest". I would wait out thirty minutes of MTV (back in the 80's when they played real music) if I knew this one was coming. It was more appealing then "She Blinded Me With Science" Never was lucky enough to see Dolby live - one of those "unchecked" boxes on my to do list.

[j1mb0jones]

Same here.