Many people know Men Without Hats for their very popular hit single, Safety Dance. And, unfortunately, like so many great 80′s synth-rock groups, it’s pretty much overshadowed their whole career. They’ve released a total of 8 albums all together, (the latest and final being No Hats Beyond this Point, released in 2003) and all of them are great.  Also, they’re lead singer, Ivan Doroschuk, as a cool singing voice, I think.

I picked this song because I think it’s really great. The Lyrics are kinda goofy, but the guitar part is really cool, and it’s all around just pretty good. So, shall we?

We start out with a sinple drum part, and little rock-a-billy guitar part.

Somebody told me to live is a lie
But I know better got a woman inside
Tells me things that I should understand
‘Cause I know better even though I’m a man
So many things go in so many ways
Every single moment like a judgement day
Thank goodness things are gettin better for sure
I got the message
Love is the cure
Uh Huh
Oooh Yeah

Okay. I’m not realllly sure what that means. Except for that love is the answer to everything. The guitar and drums stay constant for the second verse, with the addition of a little backing guitar, accenting the chords.

Now I ain’t stupid but I can’t understand
Why so many things are gettin so out of hand
Think we should wonder what the problem could be?
All the world over sing “I wanna be free”
Don’t really matter what you think of me now
‘Cause I got the message
The message is wow
Got everything, got nothing to hide

I got.. What?
I got a woman inside
Uh Huh
Oooh Yeah

Did you catch that? A little reference to they’re song I got the Message. Next we get into the chorus. We’re joined by our friends the soulful backing singers, an organ, and a little synth trumpet.

I said, hey men.
Quit knocking your children ’round
I say, hey-hey men.
Quit mowin your women down
‘Cause it’s all in the way
That you look at who you are
So hey hey men
Quit looking so far
Oooh Yeah

A little bit of social commentary there, about abusing your children, and girlfriends. The song stays pretty similar, and moves into the third verse.

Land of the free is a poor alibi
I learned my lesson when I learned how to fly
Sounds so silly but I think its the truth
I got the message
The message is you
Somebody told me that we live in a dream
Sounds like something that you hear on T.V.
Got everything even though I’m a guy
Feels so good
I got a woman inside
Uh Huh
Oooh Yeah

Hmmmm. Is that more social commentary? “Land of the free is a poor alibi” Like… people use it to justify they’re actions? Also, “Somebody said that we live in a dream, sounds like something you’d hear on TV” is a pretty good lyric. From here on out the song pretty much continues on as normal. There’s a little bridge part that features come cool orchestral hits, and guitar and organ solos.

I’d really encourage people to look past Safety Dance, and check out their whole discography. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.