They emerged in the early 80s with an EP called 'Folk of the 80s', a work released in 1980 that showed the Doroschuk family's interest in the electronic sounds of the progressive rock scene. After picking up some local success, the group erupted onto the international scene a couple of years later with their hit single "The Safety Dance". Parent album 'Rhythm of Youth' did very well, reaching all the way to the #13 slot on the Billboard 200 chart. Touring showed that they had captured their own distinctive audience.
Still, the band faced a tough time living up the expectations put upon them by the success of "The Safety Dance", which had a popular music video and hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their follow-up tune "I Like", similar in synthpop spirit, received far less airplay. Their 1984 album 'Folk of the '80s (Part III)' showed the group in flux, the ever shifting 80s music scene seemingly leaving them behind.
Though saddled with the 'one hit wonder' label, Men Without Hats burst back into American and Canadian popular consciousness with their 1987 release 'Pop Goes The World'. The title track reached the #20 slot on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as #2 on the Canadian Singles Chart, and, showing a return to form, the group also devised a compelling music video that had considerable interest. The songs themselves showed a mix of lyrical bite and meta-commentary on the nature of fame as well as understated, even children's music inspired instrumentation and vocals.
"Pop Goes The World" ended up being also featured in the 1987 comedy film 'Date with an Angel', and it became the fifteenth biggest selling single in South Africa for 1988, showing the international appeal of the band. Ivan and Stefan Doroschuk alongside Lenny Pinkas made-up the group at that point. The touring band incorporated Bruce Murphy on keyboards and guitar, Marika Tjelios on bass, Richard Sampson on drums, and Heidi Garcia on vocals and keyboards.
Their next album, 'The Adventures of Women & Men Without Hate in the 21st Century', was released in 1989. Though getting a bit of interest from having featured a cover of ABBA's song "S.O.S.", the commercial failure of the album showed that their audience had significantly dwindled. The musicians on the album were essentially the touring band from 'Pop Goes the World'.
The band lasted as an electronic group as such into the early 90s, but they decided to drastically change their sound for 1991's 'Sideways'. The aptly-tilted album saw them aping contemporary alternative rock. Alienating many fans, the album didn't even relieve an American release. Soon after this deep career setback, the band officially disbanded.
As time went on, the group's iconic international hits "The Safety Dance" and "Pop Goes The World" continued to receive major airplay, leading some to label the group as a 'two hit wonder'. Ivan Doroschuk and keyboardist Bruce Murphy would record several demos in 1993, for a concept album tentatively titled 'UFO's are Real'. Yet it never was released.
After a few more years, Ivan Doroschuk returned to being a solo artist with the album 'The Spell' in 2000. He decided to perform simply as Ivan. In 2003, Men Without Hats partly reformed, and Ivan self-released the album 'No Hats Beyond This Point'.
On September 24, 2010, Ivan Doroschuk reformed Men Without Hats as a full group, with three hired backup musicians, and his band appeared at the Rifflandia Music Festival in Victoria, British Columbia. Performing ten songs from the Men Without Hats back catalog, the Ivan-fronted band (described by the Austin American-Statesman as "simply singer Ivan Doroschuk and some hired guns" and by Stefan as a "tribute band") began the "Dance If You Want Tour 2011" with a well attended and positively received performance at Austin's South by Southwest event in March 2011. At the North by Northeast festival in Toronto on June 18, Ivan announced that Men Without Hats would be releasing a new studio album and that it tentatively would be entitled 'Folk of the 80s: Part IV'.
On June 19, 2011, the group played at the Sound of Music Festival in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Stefan Doroschuk, though rumored to be returning to his brother's group, announced his intention to continue working separately. On March 6, 2012, Ivan Doroschuk's band announced via Facebook that their upcoming album would be called 'Love in the Age of War'.
On 22 April 2012, Men Without Hats released the new single "Head Above Water" from the aformentioned album. Their line-up at that time was Ivan Doroschuk, Lou Dawson, James Love and Rachel Ashmore. 'Love in the Age of War' finally came out on May 22, 2012 in Canada and on June 5, 2012 in the U.S. Their seventh album, it was also the group's first full studio release after a nine-year hiatus.
The band's 2013 tour found them traveling to San Diego, California as well as Mexico City. Going into 2014, the group is still going strong. See: http://safetydance.com/
1999
Men Without Hats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
no one's really quite sure about their situation
It's a very funny kind of life
the only thing we're positive about is the duration
now they are standing right before you
how they were here before you
he's a very special kind of guy
when he crosses the street he looks in both directions
and you're always wondering if he's lost his senses
she's a very special kind of girl
and her mother's recipes have made a good thing famous
she's a very special kind of girl
and she's always up in arms if he's late for breakfast
now they are standing right before you
how they were here before you
he's a very special kind of guy
when you hear him on the air you think he's lost his section
she's a special special kind of girl
when you see her in the street you want to raise objection
now they are standing right before you
how they were here before you
It's a very special kind of life
no one's really knows the truth about the situation
It's a very funny kind of life
the only thing we're positive about is the duration
The lyrics of Men Without Hats's song "1999" describe a life that is both unique and uncertain. The singer sings about different people who are special in their own ways, but there is always an air of mystery surrounding them. For instance, there is a guy who looks both ways when crossing the street, and a girl who gets upset if her partner is late for breakfast. Each person seems to have their own quirks and idiosyncrasies, but it is unclear why they are this way or what their lives are really like. The only thing that is certain is the duration of the situation they find themselves in.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty about life. The people in the song are unique and interesting, but their lives remain a mystery. The only thing the singer is sure of is that everything is temporary, which adds to the feeling of transience and impermanence that permeates the song.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a very special kind of life
Life is unique and filled with uncertainty.
no one's really quite sure about their situation
People lack clarity on their circumstances.
It's a very funny kind of life
Life is amusing due to its unpredictable nature.
the only thing we're positive about is the duration
The only certainty in life is its limited duration.
now they are standing right before you
The people being referred to are present.
how they were here before you
It's unclear how long these people have been around.
he's a very special kind of guy
This person has unique characteristics and tendencies.
when he crosses the street he looks in both directions
He is a cautious and prudent individual.
and you're always wondering if he's lost his senses
His behavior can be unpredictable and confusing.
she's a very special kind of girl
This person has exceptional qualities and traits.
and her mother's recipes have made a good thing famous
Her mother's cooking is well-known and respected.
and she's always up in arms if he's late for breakfast
She gets upset if he is not punctual for breakfast.
when you hear him on the air you think he's lost his section
His on-air presence can be bewildering and perplexing.
when you see her in the street you want to raise objection
Her appearance prompts strong reactions from onlookers.
It's a very special kind of life
Life is exceptional and distinct in its own right.
no one's really knows the truth about the situation
The reality of life is ineffable and elusive.
It's a very funny kind of life
Life is comical and full of paradoxes.
the only thing we're positive about is the duration
The only certainty in life is its transience.
Contributed by Adalyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Katherine
takes me back..Love it!
Hawk Lord
ITS A VERY SPECIAL KIND OF LIFE NO ONES REALLY QUITE SURE ABOUT THEIR SITUATION! memories! THANK YOU!!
dayeity
wicked, and first comment!