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/
I Like
Men Without Hats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say money is no object and we've got a car
They kidnapped Tony where did they go
They went to get it done before he got too old
They're incognito, they're into fame
They think they know it all you know their family's to blame
Isn't it funny, isn't it sad
But...
I like, when they talk really loud trying to tell you what they know
I like, when it blows real hard and it doesn't even show
They say: It's plain to see, life is not a mystery to me
I say: That's plain as day I hope you've got yours right anyway
They say: It's plain to see, life is not a mystery to me
I say: That's plain as day I hope you've got yours right anyway
It makes you wonder 'bout the things they say
We are never gonna leave, we are never gonna stay
They talk for nothing, they talk for free
They talk behind your back and to you're face they're really sweet
Check out the language, check out the clothes
Their mother buys them shoes 'n where she get's them no-one knows
They go to parties to steal the show
By talking really loud 'n try to tell you what they know
But...
I like, when they talk really loud trying to tell you what they know
I like, when it blows real hard and it doesn't even show
They say: It's plain to see, life is not a mystery to me
I say: That's plain as day I hope you've got yours right anyway
They say: It's plain to see, life is not a mystery to me
I say: That's plain as day I hope you've got yours right anyway
I like when they talk really loud trying to tell you what they know
Say, I like when it blows real hard and it doesn't even show
Say, I like when they haven't seen a thing and try to tell you where to go
Say, I like when they talk really loud trying to tell you what they know
What do they really know?
The song "I Like" by Men Without Hats is a satirical piece that takes a jab at society's obsession with fame and superficiality. The lyrics refer to a group of people who are portrayed as shallow and arrogant, flaunting their wealth and making bold claims about their lives. The first verse introduces the idea that despite their outward appearances, these people may not be who they seem. The second verse continues to paint a picture of the group, noting their tendency to talk excessively and without substance. The chorus ironically expresses the singer's fondness for these people, even as he acknowledges their flaws and lack of depth. The final verse emphasizes the irony of the situation, with the group making declarations about life despite their apparent ignorance.
The song seems to be a critique of a certain type of person who is obsessed with appearances and self-aggrandizing behavior. The lyrics suggest that while these people may feel superior to others, they may not be as knowledgeable or successful as they appear. The chorus reinforces this irony, with the singer claiming to enjoy these people even as he pokes fun at their behavior. Ultimately, the song may be a commentary on the shallowness of modern society and the tendency for people to value superficial qualities over substance.
Line by Line Meaning
It makes you wonder just who they really are
Their behavior is confusing and makes you question their true character.
They say money is no object and we've got a car
They claim to have financial freedom and transportation.
They kidnapped Tony where did they go
They abducted someone named Tony and his whereabouts are unknown.
They went to get it done before he got too old
They took Tony to do something important before he got too old to do it.
They're incognito, they're into fame
They are trying to remain anonymous but also crave recognition.
They think they know it all you know their family's to blame
They believe they have all the answers and attribute their attitude to their upbringing.
Isn't it funny, isn't it sad
Their behavior is ironic and somewhat pathetic.
You come up empty thinking bout the good times that you had
Reflecting on the past, there is a sense of emptiness and nostalgia.
It makes you wonder 'bout the things they say
Their words are dubious and make you question their validity.
We are never gonna leave, we are never gonna stay
They are non-committal and lack decisiveness.
They talk for nothing, they talk for free
Their words are meaningless and have no value.
They talk behind your back and to you're face they're really sweet
They gossip about others, but when face-to-face, they act friendly.
Check out the language, check out the clothes
Their style and manner of speaking are worth observing.
Their mother buys them shoes 'n where she get's them no-one knows
Their mother buys them footwear, and the source is unknown.
They go to parties to steal the show
They attend events in order to draw attention to themselves and be the center of attention.
By talking really loud 'n try to tell you what they know
They speak authoritatively, attempting to prove their intelligence or expertise.
I like, when they talk really loud trying to tell you what they know
The artist enjoys their overconfident, boastful tone.
I like, when it blows real hard and it doesn't even show
The singer enjoys when a situation is difficult or chaotic, but they handle it with ease.
They say: It's plain to see, life is not a mystery to me
They claim to understand life with clarity and certainty.
I say: That's plain as day I hope you've got yours right anyway
The artist agrees that life is straightforward, but hopes the others have made the right choices regardless.
Say, I like when they haven't seen a thing and try to tell you where to go
The artist enjoys when someone speaks ignorantly about a topic they know nothing about.
What do they really know?
The artist questions the validity of their knowledge and expertise.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUIS LOZADA, LUIS ARMANDO LOZADA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paradigmatic666
The most underrated song ever written!
I have fallen and i can't reach my keg
Under"liked", in this case.
Nacht Schreck
I think I have to concur.
robinsss
@Deacon Cole go listen to the whole album
the entire album is under rated
robinsss
@FOGHORN LEGHORN because a lot more people should know about this song since it is good
Miss Q
All I can say is thankfully it was penned
MrEvad65
Compelling, addictive and utterly brilliant synth masterpiece from one of the most phenomenal and amazing bands to grace this world and my grateful, adoring ears... I totally love this song; it's absolute, pure delight... :-D
123 456
I grew up in the 80s, but I am hearing this for the first time in 2021. I knew the Safety Dance, and Pop goes the world. Hearing those synths is instant love🌝.
Jonathan Hensley
Me too. It's OK. Not as good as their other two hits.
Mike Grenier
Great song! Should have been a hit. How did we miss this one?