The group's lead-singer was Cynthia Johnson, and the rest of the group consisted of a changing group of session musicians. One of them was guitarist David Rivkin AKA David Z. who later on produced, mixed and wrote for many others and worked closely with Prince. Steven Greenberg wrote and produced most of the group's music.
Lipps, Inc. achieved popularity during the end of the disco era at the late 1970s and early 1980s and had one major international pop hit. "Funkytown" spent four weeks at number one on both the Hot 100 and on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts in the United States and was awarded a platinum record soon after its release. It reached number two in the United Kingdom and not only was a hit throughout the world back then, but also continuous to play an important role in today´s pop-culture (used in several movies, TV series, commercials, etc.).
Further singles failed to match their initial success (their only other Hot 100 entry was their debut single "Rock It", which peaked at #64 in 1979), however they had more dance club hits throughout the 1980s, including the Ace cover How Long in 1981, which reached #4 on the U.S. dance chart.
The group ceased recording after the album "4" in (1985), by then lead-singer Cynthia Johnson had already left the group and had been replaced by another singer that however couldn´t replace Johnson´s unmistakable lead vocals.
A rock version of "Funkytown" was covered by the Australia group Pseudo Echo in 1987 on their album Love An Adventure and reached the top of the charts there. "Funkytown" is one of the songs of the Shrek 2 movie soundtrack. The song "Funkytown" has had popular recognition again recently due to a mash-up of it with Soulwax's dance track NY Excuse appearing on the Soulwax remix album Nite Versions. The track is titled NY Lipps.
Steven Greenberg's son Neil has been on MTV's Made performing as a rapper as 'The Blizzard'. In that episode Greenberg made several appearances as well.
Tight Pair
Lipps Inc. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go in for a hot reaction,
cause i'm gonna check it out, check it out
and see it for myself if i have to
You got a tight pair, loosen 'em up
Go in for a hot reaction,
cause i'm gonna check it out, check it out and see it for myself if i have to
If it's not in the rock, not in the groove
Got to be in the roll
If it's not in the rock, not in the groove
Got to be in the roll
If it's not in the rock, not in the groove
Got to be in the roll
If it's not in the rock, not in the groove
Got to be in the roll, tight
You got a tight pair, loosen 'em up
Go in for a hot reaction,
cause i'm gonna check it out, check it out
and see it for myself if i have to
The song "Tight Pair" by Lipps Inc. is a classic example of disco music that gained popularity in the late 1970s. The lyrics suggest a seductive tone, as the singer seems to be talking to a person with a "tight pair" and encouraging them to loosen up to get a hot reaction. The phrase "tight pair" suggests either a person's clothing, usually tight-fitting jeans, or a woman's assets, indirectly implying a sexual innuendo. The lyrics focus on the idea of loosening up, letting go, and immersing oneself in the rhythm of the music.
The refrain of the song emphasizes that if something is not in the rock or groove, it has to be in the roll. This could be interpreted as a play on words, as "roll" could insinuate rolling one's hips while dancing, or suggest the genre of music, Rock n' Roll. The song is meant to be an upbeat dance number, encouraging listeners to let loose on the dance floor and enjoy themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
You got a tight pair, loosen 'em up
You seem a bit uptight or restrictive, try to let go and loosen up.
Go in for a hot reaction,
Try to provoke a lively or passionate response from others.
cause i'm gonna check it out, check it out
I want to witness and experience this firsthand to make my own judgment about it.
If it's not in the rock, not in the groove
If something is lacking energy or rhythm, it might not be enough to get people moving or interested in it.
Got to be in the roll
The dynamics or vibe of something might not be in a rock or groove style, but it can still work if it's in a different style or flow.
If it's not in the rock, not in the groove
If something is lacking energy or rhythm, it might not be enough to get people moving or interested in it.
Got to be in the roll
The dynamics or vibe of something might not be in a rock or groove style, but it can still work if it's in a different style or flow.
If it's not in the rock, not in the groove
If something is lacking energy or rhythm, it might not be enough to get people moving or interested in it.
Got to be in the roll
The dynamics or vibe of something might not be in a rock or groove style, but it can still work if it's in a different style or flow.
If it's not in the rock, not in the groove
If something is lacking energy or rhythm, it might not be enough to get people moving or interested in it.
Got to be in the roll, tight
The thing that works might not be a conventional or expected choice, but it can still be effective and tight (successful).
You got a tight pair, loosen 'em up
You seem a bit uptight or restrictive, try to let go and loosen up.
Go in for a hot reaction,
Try to provoke a lively or passionate response from others.
cause i'm gonna check it out, check it out
I want to witness and experience this firsthand to make my own judgment about it.
Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.