Dolby recorded just this one album with the Lost Toy People, who were, in fact a group of studio musicians, many associated with producer George Clinton (Of Parliament/Funkadellic). It was the association of Dolby and Clinton that gave this album a sound far different from earlier Dolby Albums on most songs, the sole exception being the song Budapest By Blimp.
This foray into funk-pop by Dolby was also a departure as it was an examination of L.A. pop culture (or "Pulp Culture" as he termed it) in the 1980's through the eyes of a foreigner. The song Airhead depicts and mocks women of that time and place who are shallow and self-obsessed.
Airhead
Thomas Dolby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My friends say she's a dumb blonde but they don't know she dyes her hair
She thinks the fighting in Central America's easily solved
But what to wear to Bel Air premieres is a problem she could never resolve
She's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
She's an airhead
Tinted contacts don't change the fact that black is black
She's an airhead
And while I'm impressed with the length of those legs
She's not an intellectual giant
She'd like to model, or maybe act, or start a magazine
Before she signs any big contracts, she better learn to read
But in her dreams she's the queen of the fashion regime
You ask me do I love you, does the Pope live in the woods?
Quod Erat Demonstrandum, baby ("ooh, you speak French")
She's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius, get serious
She's an airhead
And while I'm impressed with the size of that chest
She's not an intellectual giant
Sweet and low and oh-so, little Ms. Dora Jarre
Safe sex and fishnets and could you walk me to my car, pa
She's losing faith in a world that is out of control
So she's gonna nix politics, she's taking up volleyball
Volleyball, why?
'Cause she's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius, get serious
She's an airhead
And now the time's come for the end of my song
Don't get me wrong
If she's an airhead, it has to be said
It was men made her that way
It was us made her that way
It was us made her that way
Oh airhead
In Thomas Dolby's song Airhead, he sings about a woman who is obsessed with her appearance and who he describes as an airhead. The lyrics describe how Thomas buys her expensive clothes and jewelry, but she is unaware of world events such as the fighting in Central America. Instead of paying attention to important matters, she worries about what to wear to Bel-Air premieres. Thomas points out her lack of intelligence, noting that she had better learn to read before she signs any contracts. He sarcasctically asks "You ask me do I love you, does the Pope live in the woods?", and signs off with the final statement that men are the ones who made her into an airhead.
The song is a commentary on the societal values of the 1980s, where looks were often prized over intelligence and substance. It is also a critique of the stereotypes of women being vain and unintelligent. Thomas Dolby uses the term "airhead" as a pejorative to describe his partner's lack of intelligence and care for anything other than her own appearance.
Line by Line Meaning
I buy her all the right clothes and pretty jewels to wear
I spend lots of money dressing and decorating my girlfriend.
My friends say she's a dumb blonde but they don't know she dyes her hair
My friends think my girlfriend is unintelligent due to her blonde hair, but they don't realize she colors her hair and is not naturally blonde.
She thinks the fighting in Central America's easily solved
My girlfriend underestimates the complexity of the conflicts in Central America.
But what to wear to Bel Air premieres is a problem she could never resolve
My girlfriend has difficulty deciding what to wear to events in the wealthy area of Bel Air.
She's an airhead
My girlfriend is not very intelligent.
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
My girlfriend's possessions, such as her car with vanity plates, are reflective of her airheadedness.
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius, get serious
My girlfriend has a lot of money in a trust fund and was born on the cusp of the Aquarius zodiac sign, but still lacks seriousness or intelligence.
Tinted contacts don't change the fact that black is black
My girlfriend may change the color of her contacts, but the truth remains that she is not smart.
And while I'm impressed with the length of those legs
Although I appreciate my girlfriend's physical appearance, it doesn't change her lack of intelligence.
She'd like to model, or maybe act, or start a magazine
My girlfriend has aspirations of becoming a model or actress, or even creating a magazine.
Before she signs any big contracts, she better learn to read
Before my girlfriend signs any important documents, she should first learn to read.
But in her dreams she's the queen of the fashion regime
Despite her current lack of fashion sense, my girlfriend still dreams of being a fashion icon.
You ask me do I love you, does the Pope live in the woods?
My love for my girlfriend is as clear as the sky, it's a given.
Quod Erat Demonstrandum, baby ("ooh, you speak French")
This Latin phrase means 'which was to be demonstrated' and emphasizes that there's no question of my love for my girlfriend, and she finds it impressive that I speak French.
Sweet and low and oh-so, little Ms. Dora Jarre
My girlfriend, Dora Jarre, is sweet and petite.
Safe sex and fishnets and could you walk me to my car, pa
My girlfriend has a preference for safe sex and wearing fishnet stockings, and she asks me to escort her to her car.
She's losing faith in a world that is out of control
My girlfriend is becoming disillusioned with a world that seems chaotic and disordered.
So she's gonna nix politics, she's taking up volleyball
My girlfriend has decided to stop following politics and dedicate her time and energy to playing volleyball.
'Cause she's an airhead
Again, emphasizing that my girlfriend is not very intelligent.
And now the time's come for the end of my song
The song is coming to an end.
Don't get me wrong
Don't misunderstand me.
If she's an airhead, it has to be said
If my girlfriend lacks intelligence, it must be acknowledged.
It was men made her that way
Suggesting that societal factors, such as gender or culture, may have contributed to my girlfriend's airheadedness.
It was us made her that way
Admitting that my own actions and choices may have contributed to my girlfriend's lack of intelligence.
It was us made her that way
Repeating the idea that my actions and choices may have contributed to my girlfriend's lack of intelligence.
Oh airhead
Finalizing the theme of the song and reiterating my girlfriend's lack of intelligence.
Lyrics © GRANT MORRIS PUBLISHING
Written by: Thomas Dolby, Grant Morris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tristan campos
I buy her all the right clothes and pretty jewels to wear
My friends say she's a dumb blonde but they don't know she dyes her hair
She thinks the fighting in Central America's easily solved
But what to wear to Bel Air premieres is a problem she could never resolve
[Chorus]
She's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius, get serious
She's an airhead
Tinted contacts don't change the fact that black is black
She's an airhead
And while I'm impressed with the length of those legs
She's not an intellectual giant
She'd like to model, or maybe act, or start a magazine
Before she signs any big contracts, she better learn to read
But in her dreams she's the queen of the fashion regime
You ask me do I love you, does the Pope live in the woods? Quod
Erat Demonstrandum, baby. ("Ooh, you speak french")
[Chorus]
She's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius, get serious
She's an airhead
And while I'm impressed with the size of that chest
She's not an intellectual giant
Sweet and low and oh-so, little Ms. Dora Jarre
Safe sex and fishnets and could you walk me to my car, pa
She's losing faith in a world that is out of control
So she's gonna nix politics, she's taking up volleyball
Volleyball, why?
Cause she's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius - get serious
She's an airhead
And now the time's come for the end of my song
Don't get me wrong
If she's an airhead, it has to be said
It was men made her that way
It was us made her that way
Celia Victor
I buy her all the right clothes and pretty jewels to wear
My friends say she's a dumb blonde but they don't know she dyes her hair
She thinks the fighting in Central America's easily solved
But what to wear to Bel Air premieres is a problem she could never resolve
She's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius, get serious
She's an airhead
Tinted contacts don't change the fact that black is black
She's an airhead
And while I'm impressed with the length of those legs
She's not an intellectual giant
She'd like to model, or maybe act, or start a magazine
Before she signs any big contracts, she better learn to read
But in her dreams she's the queen of the fashion regime
You ask me do I love you, does the Pope live in the woods?
Quod Erat Demonstrandum, baby ("ooh, you speak French")
She's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius, get serious
She's an airhead
And while I'm impressed with the size of that chest
She's not an intellectual giant
Sweet and low and oh-so, little Ms. Dora Jarre
Safe sex and fishnets and could you walk me to my car, pa
She's losing faith in a world that is out of control
So she's gonna nix politics, she's taking up volleyball
Volleyball, why?
'Cause she's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius, get serious
She's an airhead
And now the time's come for the end of my song
Don't get me wrong
If she's an airhead, it has to be said
It was men made her that way
It was us made her that way
It was us made her that way
John Dotter
Thomas Dolby- Shes an Airhead!
Airhead Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I buy her all the right clothes and pretty jewels to wear
My friends say she's a dumb blonde but they don't know she dyes her hair
She thinks the fighting in Central America's easily solved
But what to wear to Bel Air premieres is a problem she could never resolve
[Chorus]
She's an airhead
Stungun and mace, Kharmann Ghia plates say "Lost in Space"
She's an airhead
Thousands in trust, cusp aquarius, get serious
She's an airhead
Tinted contacts don't change the fact that black is black
She's an airhead
And while I'm impressed with the length of those legs
She's not an intellectual giant
Anthony Mirabito
Aliens Ate My Buick is one of the most underrated albums in the history of popular music.
Pat Schmal
Anthony, agree 100% A real gem.
華夏使者
I like it, but it's my least favourite of his albums. I've always seen his first two and last two being pairs, and this one is kind of the awkward middle child.
Ty Tye
How can it be underrrated if it charted in the top 30?
Jeanette Devereux
👏👏👏
Macak Fric
Just like some albums Prefab Sprout which he produced
Rich Harker
I think this was the strongest track on the album, superb mixture of programming & live. Snare fits the track just fine, anything bigger would detract from the other stuff going on around it. I really like how a lot of the sounds going on are purposely really late, creates a great feel. This guy is a much underrated genius, never got the recognition he deserved in this country. Never get tired of listening to his albums, there's always something new in there somewhere.
kevin Roberts
Dig the deep groove on this it's a hell of a track. Catchy and drives like concrete truck. BEAUTIFUL. happy to have stumbled across it ...
janne wallace
he gets a better recognize for giving us the invention of (phone's) ringtones. and yeah..underrated genius-by far. you also may enjoy his production works with collaborations of: prefab sprout. george a clinton..I love catching him at the independent night club venue in San Francisco a few years ago..'super great mesmerizing of experience:)
Adam Thomas
Agree