The catchy title “The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats has taken on new meanings, especially in recent times. During lockdowns, as the entertainment industry adapted to a new normal, the song resurfaced. Jimmy Fallon and The Roots presented an acoustic rendition on One World: Together at Home, subtly referencing the idea of a Safe Dance Song. Alaska Airlines even cleverly reworked the lyrics for a TV advertisement emphasizing their enhanced hygiene protocols. Safety, indeed, became the buzzword, associating the song with current safety concerns.
However, when the Canadian group Men Without Hats penned “The Safety Dance” in 1982, promoting literal safety was far from their minds. While some speculated about a connection to sexual health, given the emerging awareness of AIDS, this interpretation is anachronistic. Safe sex campaigns were not yet a prominent part of public discourse when the song first hit the airwaves.
The true story behind “The Safety Dance” is rooted in a much more relatable, if less profound, frustration: overzealous nightclub bouncers. Ivan Doroschuk, the band’s frontman, conceived the song as a direct protest against being reprimanded for energetic dancing. “It originated when I was getting kicked out of clubs for pogoing — for hitting the dance floor whenever they played Blondie’s ‘Heart of Glass’ or The B52’s’ ‘Rock Lobster’,” Doroschuk explained in an interview with Time Out Sydney. It wasn’t about promoting a safe dance song in the literal sense, but rather a lament against overly restrictive dance floor rules.
Initially, “The Safety Dance” wasn’t even the lead single from Men Without Hats’ debut album, Rhythm of Youth. “I Got the Message,” the first single, failed to gain traction. Subsequently, their Canadian label released “The Safety Dance.” It entered the Canadian Top 50 in February, but its initial impact was modest. A remix for a 12-inch version proved to be the turning point. The song gradually gained momentum, becoming a global phenomenon throughout the winter of 1983 and 1984. Its immense popularity overshadowed the rest of Men Without Hats’ otherwise respectable career.
Many elements of the track contributed to its unique, almost eccentric appeal. Doroschuk’s distinctive, somewhat rigid baritone, the seemingly basic and repetitive synth pattern (especially compared to the evolving electronic pop scene in the UK), and the dance-instruction style lyrics, which felt slightly dated, all contributed to its unconventional charm.
Image alt: Men Without Hats performing “The Safety Dance” live, showcasing the energy of a safe dance song performance.
Then there was the music video, a crucial component of the song’s identity. Filmed in the quaint Wiltshire village of West Kington, a far cry from rock and roll extravagance, the location itself added to the song’s quirky nature. Directed by Tim Pope, who later gained fame for his iconic videos for The Cure, the video depicted a bizarre medieval fair. It featured an array of peculiar characters: dancing dwarfs, Morris dancers, a Punch and Judy show, and even Louise Court, who would later become the editor of Cosmopolitan, portraying a wildly dancing villager. The video’s gaudy and chaotic aesthetic surprisingly complemented the song’s old-world, almost folksy vibe. This visual representation solidified the song’s place in pop culture, even if it wasn’t a typical safe dance song video in terms of promoting safety.
The infectiousness of “The Safety Dance” lay in its relentless hooks, both lyrically and melodically. The opening lines, “We can dance if we want to,” inspired “You Can Dance (If You Want To)” by Go Go Lorenzo & The Davis Pinckney Project, a significant hit in Washington DC’s go-go scene in 1986. Trouble Funk, a leading band in the scene, also reportedly performed the song live. Its influence stretched across genres and scenes, proving its broad appeal as more than just a novelty track.
The sheer diversity of artists who have covered “The Safety Dance” underscores its enduring appeal. From the highly respected experimental hip-hop producer J Dilla, who created a slowed-down instrumental version, to the decidedly unhip Status Quo, who recognized its boogie-like essence, the song has been reinterpreted across the musical spectrum. Garage rock band The Donnas offered a raw rendition, while The Asteroids Galaxy Tour injected a poppy feel. Even “Weird Al” Yankovic created a Brady Bunch-themed parody, further cementing its place in popular culture.
However, perhaps the most significant legacy of “The Safety Dance” is its role as a song of community. Mirroring the diverse cast of characters in its original video, the song has become an anthem for groups and gatherings. Similar to the flashmob performance in a shopping center by the cast of Glee, countless individuals have created and shared their own flashmob versions online. A simple YouTube search for “Safety Dance flash mob” reveals a plethora of these heartwarming displays of collective joy. Even corporations have tapped into this communal spirit, with Lipton Iced Tea featuring Hugh Jackman leading a faux flashmob to The Feeling’s rendition of the song. This transformation into a safe dance song for community events was an unexpected but welcome evolution.
Ultimately, “The Safety Dance” transcends conventional notions of musical depth or lyrical complexity. It’s a song that communicates powerfully despite, or perhaps because of, its simplicity. Regardless of Men Without Hats’ original intentions, it has evolved beyond its creators’ initial vision. It stands as a pure, unadulterated expression of joy, embraced and owned by the world. While not initially conceived as a safe dance song promoting physical safety, it has inadvertently become associated with safe and inclusive community celebrations, a testament to its enduring and adaptable appeal.
