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/
Everybody Knows
Men Without Hats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You weren't as free as you'd been lately
Before we walk this way again
I could tell you stories that changed me
'cause everybody wants to know what life is all about
Nobody wants to feel they're being left out
Not everybody wants a family and a fancy house
Nobody wants to feel they're being left out
You weren't as free as you could have been lately
Before we wonder one of these
I could tell you stories that saved me
'cause everybody wants to know what life is all about
And nobody wants to feel they're being left out
Not everybody want a family and a fancy house
Nobody wants to feel they're being left out
So let's sit at home and count the stars and think it out
'cause everybody wants to know what life is all about
And even when it rains
Love protects you
Call her secret name
And don't forget you
Want a world you can't explain
'cause everybody wants to know what life is all about
Nobody wants to feel they're being left out
Not everybody wants a family and a fancy house
Everybody wants to know what love is all about
So let's sit at home and count the cars and laugh it out
'cause everybody wants to know what life is all about
Don't forget you
Want a world you can't explain
The song "Everybody Wants to Know" by Men Without Hats is a reflection on the universal search for meaning in life. The lyrics convey a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction, as the singer observes others whispering and searching for answers while feeling left out themselves. The repetition of the line "everybody wants to know what life is all about" underscores the common experience of seeking purpose, connection, and happiness.
The song suggests that there are different paths to fulfillment - not everyone wants the same things, and that's okay. The line "not everybody wants a family and a fancy house" acknowledges that traditional markers of success may not be everyone's goal. The song also alludes to the idea that love can provide a sense of protection and meaning, even during difficult times.
Overall, "Everybody Wants to Know" is a thoughtful meditation on the human search for meaning and connection, and a reminder that we all share these universal desires.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard you whisper on the train
I overheard you talking quietly on our train ride
You weren't as free as you'd been lately
You weren't feeling as carefree as you have been recently
Before we walk this way again
Before we take this path again
I could tell you stories that changed me
I have tales that have had a profound impact on me
'cause everybody wants to know what life is all about
Because everyone is searching for the meaning of life
Nobody wants to feel they're being left out
No one wants to feel excluded from the group
Not everybody wants a family and a fancy house
Not everyone desires a traditional life with a family and a luxurious home
I heard you whisper in the trees
I heard you speaking softly amongst the foliage
You weren't as free as you could have been lately
You were feeling somewhat restricted even though you had the potential to be more carefree
Before we wonder one of these
Before we wander together again
I could tell you stories that saved me
I have tales that have rescued me from dark places
So let's sit at home and count the stars and think it out
Let's sit together and ponder the mysteries of the universe
And even when it rains Love protects you
Even during the storms of life, love will shield and support you
Call her secret name
Address love using its unknown, private name
And don't forget you Want a world you can't explain
Don't forget that you desire a universe that is beyond comprehension
Everybody wants to know what love is all about
All individuals desire to understand the true essence of love
So let's sit at home and count the cars and laugh it out
Let's sit together, watch the cars pass, and find joy in laughter
Don't forget you Want a world you can't explain
Don't forget that you long for a mysterious, unknowable world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IVAN DOROSCHUK, STEFAN GREGOR DOROSCHUK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
driver3596
Well some people stand and deliver
And some people hide in the holes
And some get burned when they cross that line
But they don't let go
And some people stand in the middle
And some just stand in their way
And some get burned when they cross that line
And forget to pay
And everybody knows
Everybody knows
Everybody knows
Everybody knows
Some people stand by the money
And some people stand by the gold
And some get burned when they cross that line
And they won't let go
All I want is the future
And all it takes is the truth
But all I know's when I close my eyes
All I see is you
[chorus]
[chorus]
We've got the Moon and the Sun, the stars up above
We've got the birds and the breeze, a thing called love
But you're the one I'm thinking of
Some people do what they want to
Some people do what they're told
Some get burned when they cross that line
But they don't let go
Some people stand and deliver
Some people stand in their way
And some don't burn, when you cross that line
Well you've got to pay
[chorus]
[chorus]
We've got the Moon and the Sun, the stars up above
We've got the birds and the breeze, a thing called love
[chorus]
IxAMxABU
Their voices are of such unique blend when the lady is included. So harmonic and lovely! This is my favorite song of this album.
Daniel Jean-Baptiste
Men Without Hats has to be by far my favourite band. A magical sound, just perfect.
driver3596
Well some people stand and deliver
And some people hide in the holes
And some get burned when they cross that line
But they don't let go
And some people stand in the middle
And some just stand in their way
And some get burned when they cross that line
And forget to pay
And everybody knows
Everybody knows
Everybody knows
Everybody knows
Some people stand by the money
And some people stand by the gold
And some get burned when they cross that line
And they won't let go
All I want is the future
And all it takes is the truth
But all I know's when I close my eyes
All I see is you
[chorus]
[chorus]
We've got the Moon and the Sun, the stars up above
We've got the birds and the breeze, a thing called love
But you're the one I'm thinking of
Some people do what they want to
Some people do what they're told
Some get burned when they cross that line
But they don't let go
Some people stand and deliver
Some people stand in their way
And some don't burn, when you cross that line
Well you've got to pay
[chorus]
[chorus]
We've got the Moon and the Sun, the stars up above
We've got the birds and the breeze, a thing called love
[chorus]
Monkof Magnesia
Thank you.
sha11235
Some people do what they want to-Simpson!!!!!!!!!
MaMash2011
Was surprising to find that they are still active and still making cool music! Thanks for uploading :)
Teal Knave
Ivan is without a doubt my favorite front man. Seeing them live on this tour was nothing short of breath taking... Hope to see you guys again soon :)
UKISOCIETY
Love this album
Steve Young
This is my favorite group! Love the music from the '80 s to recent! Also love Ivan's stand alone music from "The Spell" album!
John LaStrada
Ivan Doroschuk -- incredible lead singer. Welcome back MWH -- they were always just too good to stay away too long.