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/
The Real World
Men Without Hats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Could you tell me how to get to the real world?
OH O OH WOW!
Uh huh, the world is a funny place
And it's calling you names
Hey hey, the world is a funny place, heeeey
OH O WOW!
Oh wow in the real world walking around
Hey guardian angel - more light for falling in love
OH WOW!, hey hey
Ho ho the world is a funny place
And it's calling you names
Hey hey, the world is a funny place heeeey
OH WOW!
Oh wow in the real world look at the sky
Hear the calling above again
Look mom an angel - all right for falling in love
Deep down in the sea of her
Life is surrounding
You can feel like a dove and then
Like a million rainbows
Here they come again, here they come again
They call it falling in love
They call it falling
OH WOW!
In the real world lookin' around
I think I'm falling in love with them
In the garden of angels
Ho ho we're falling in love (oh wow!)
Hey hey it's a real world
Look at the ground
Can you see your reflection there
Everything is single
Here we come again
Here we come again
Hey guardian angel
Open your eyes
And all the love will make you fly -- HIGH
Real world, real world
We're in the real world
Falling in love again
We're in the real world (oh wow!)
Oh wow in the real world walking around
I think I'm falling in love again
Hey guardian angel, more light for falling in love
Hey hey it's a real world walking around
I think I'm falling in love again
Hey guardian angel,
Here we come again, here we come again
They call it falling in love (hey)
They call it falling in love (hey)
They call it falling in love (hey)
They call it falling in love (hey)
They call it falling in love (hey)
They call it falling in love (hey)
They call it falling in love (hey)
They call it falling in love (hey)
OH WOW! hey!
OH WOW!
The Men Without Hats song "The Real World" is a fun and lighthearted ode to falling in love in the real world, away from the chaos and confusion of everyday life. The opening lines, "Excuse me sir, could you tell me how to get to the real world?" set the tone for the song's dreamy, almost childlike tone. The chorus, with its repetitive "Oh wow!" and "Hey hey!" has a cheerful, optimistic vibe, as if urging the listener to take a chance on love and dive in headfirst.
The verses of the song evoke a sense of wonder and whimsy, with imagery of angels and rainbows, while also acknowledging the challenges and unpredictability of the real world. The line "Ho ho the world is a funny place and it's calling you names" suggests that life can be harsh and unforgiving at times, but the chorus reminds us to keep our spirits up and keep searching for love.
Overall, "The Real World" is a catchy and uplifting pop song that celebrates the joy and unpredictability of falling in love. Its optimistic message is one that's sure to resonate with listeners of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Excuse me sir,
Asking politely and humbly for direction or guidance
Could you tell me how to get to the real world?
Asking for instructions on how to enter or experience the true nature of reality
OH O OH WOW!
An expression of amazement, joy, or excitement
Uh huh, the world is a funny place
Acknowledgment of the strange, unpredictable, and often humorous nature of the world
And it's calling you names
Suggesting that the world can be cruel, judgmental, or insulting to individuals
Hey hey, the world is a funny place, heeeey
Repeating the idea that the world is both amusing and unpredictable, possibly as a form of reassurance or encouragement
OH O WOW!
Reaffirming the feeling of shock, excitement, or wonder
Oh wow in the real world walking around
Experiencing a sense of awe, wonder, or discovery within the authentic and unfiltered aspects of life
I think I'm falling in love again
Suggesting a romantic or infatuated attraction or desire to a person, place, or experience
Hey guardian angel - more light for falling in love
Asking for guidance, enlightenment, or protection while being drawn into something new or exciting
OH WOW!, hey hey
Re-emphasizing the overwhelming, breathtaking sensation of discovery or fascination
Ho ho the world is a funny place
Using a jovial or lighthearted tone to acknowledge the mystifying, humorous, or perplexing nature of reality
And it's calling you names
Reiterating the idea that the world can be rude, insulting, or disparaging to people
Hey hey, the world is a funny place heeeey
Encouraging or rallying against the negativity, uncertainty, or absurdity of life
OH WOW!
Reacting vehemently to new discoveries or experiences
Oh wow in the real world look at the sky
Finding beauty, wonder, or transcendence in the natural or cosmic world
Hear the calling above again
Sensing a higher purpose or meaning in the world, or receiving a spiritual or emotional message
Look mom an angel - all right for falling in love
Acknowledging or addressing a parental, divine, or protective figure, who grants permission or encouragement to pursue something new or exciting
Deep down in the sea of her
Metaphorically or symbolically describing the internal, emotional, or subconscious aspects of a person or experience
Life is surrounding
Feeling enveloped or immersed in the vital or dynamic aspects of existence
You can feel like a dove and then
Experiencing a sense of freedom, peace, or innocence, followed by a more complex or turbulent emotional state
Like a million rainbows
Reflecting the diversity, richness, or vibrancy of life, or describing a moment of intense beauty or joy
Here they come again, here they come again
Repeating a pattern or cycle of intense feelings or experiences
They call it falling in love
Referring to the common phrase or concept of falling in love, which describes a powerful, emotional attraction or connection to someone or something
OH WOW!
Reacting with surprise, awe, or enthusiasm
In the real world lookin' around
Observing, exploring, or discovering the authentic, unprocessed aspects of reality
I think I'm falling in love with them
Feeling enamored, fascinated, or captivated by the nuances, complexities, or beauties of life
In the garden of angels
Imagining a paradise-like or celestial realm, inhabited by benevolent, divine or mystical entities
Ho ho we're falling in love (oh wow!)
Laughing or celebrating the joyful, exciting feeling of discovering, connecting, or engaging with something new or delightful
Hey hey it's a real world
Reasserting the idea that the world is authentic, unfiltered, and potentially awe-inspiring or rewarding
Look at the ground
Suggesting a way of grounding oneself, or perceiving the spiritual, concrete, or material qualities of reality
Can you see your reflection there
Challenging the listener to confront or examine their own identity, personality, or values through the mirror or lens of reality
Everything is single
Recognizing the individuality, uniqueness, and diversity of all aspects of reality
Here we come again
Anticipating, relishing, or embracing a new cycle or experience
Hey guardian angel
Addressing or invoking a spiritual, divine, or protective entity, who guides, aids, or directs the listener
Open your eyes
Encouraging the listener to pay attention, awaken, or be receptive to new experiences, insights, or emotions
And all the love will make you fly -- HIGH
Suggesting that love, compassion, or positivity can elevate, enlighten, or transcend an individual to a higher state of being or consciousness
Real world, real world
Repeating or emphasizing the importance, authenticity, or rawness of reality
We're in the real world
Affirming the singer's or listener's existence, presence, or participation in the genuine, physical, or spiritual facets of reality
Falling in love again
Repeating or reiterating the idea of being infatuated, engrossed, or emotionally invested in something exciting or inspiring
OH WOW!
Reacting enthusiastically, joyfully, or exclaiming in awe or amazement
oh wow in the real world walking around
Experiencing, observing, or exploring the unfiltered, authentic, or raw aspects of existence with a sense of wonder or amazement
Hey guardian angel, more light for falling in love
Asking for divine or protective assistance, illumination, or guidance while pursuing a new or exciting experience, feeling, or relationship
Hey hey it's a real world walking around
Reaffirming, acknowledging, or enjoying the vibrant, energetic mood or sensation of being in the real, unaltered world
Here we come again
Previewing, anticipating, or embracing a new phase or cycle of life
They call it falling in love
Reiterating or defining the concept, feeling, or experience of being romantically, emotionally, or spiritually connected to someone or something
OH WOW!
Experiencing excitement, awe, or wonder at a new, significant, or profound realization or insight
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BOB MITCHELL, CHARLES OLINS, MARC CERRONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind