The Safety Dance

Album: Rhythm Of Youth (1982)
Charted: 6 3
Play Video
  • We can dance if we want to
    We can leave your friends behind
    'Cause your friends don't dance
    And if they don't dance
    Well they're no friends of mine
    Say, we can go where we want to
    A place where they will never find
    And we can act like we come from out of this world
    Leave the real one far behind

    And we can dance (dansez)

    We can go where we want to
    The night is young and so am I
    And we can dress real neat
    From our hats to our feet
    And surprise 'em with a victory cry
    Say, we can act if we want to
    If we don't, nobody will
    And you can act real rude
    And totally removed
    And I can act like an imbecile

    Say, we can dance, we can dance
    Everything is out of control
    We can dance, we can dance
    We're doing it from pole to pole
    We can dance, we can dance
    Everybody look at your hands
    We can dance, we can dance
    Everybody's taking the chance

    Safe to dance, well, it's safe to dance
    Yes, it's safe to dance

    We can dance if we want to
    We've got all your life and mine
    As long as we abuse it, never gonna lose it
    Everything will work out right
    I say, we can dance if we want to
    We can leave your friends behind
    'Cause your friends don't dance
    And if they don't dance
    Well, they're no friends of mine

    I say, we can dance, we can dance
    Everything's out of control
    We can dance, we can dance
    We're doing it from pole to pole
    We can dance, we can dance
    Everybody look at your hands
    We can dance, we can dance
    Everybody's taking the chance

    Well, it's safe to dance
    Yes, it's safe to dance
    Well, it's safe to dance
    Well, it's safe to dance
    Yes, it's safe to dance
    Oh, it's safe to dance, yeah
    Well, it's safe to dance
    It's a safety dance
    Oh, it's a safety dance
    Oh, it's a safety dance
    Oh, it's a safety dance
    Oh, it's a safety dance Writer/s: Ivan Doroschuk
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 18

  • Carla from Tippecanoe VillaI really like that song it is a old song and it has a fun video I remember listening to that song before I went into high school and when I was in high school thanks for sharing this song
  • George Pope from Vancouver Bc[Verse 2]
    I say, we can go where we want to
    A place where they'll never find
    And we can act like we come from out of this world
    Leave the real one far behind
    We can dance (Danser!)
    (per Genius Lyrics)
  • Don from Port Orange, FlAnyone know who the blonde lady is that is dancing in the "Safety Dance" video?
  • Steve from Ottawa, OntarioThere is an error in the lyrics, shortly after the opening verses.
    The line "Or sing" is incorrect. It's actually "Danser!", which is the French verb meaning "to dance."
  • Nickster from Minneapolis, MnBeavis and Butthead watched the video, leading Butthead to comment: “He keeps saying he can dance, but it’s like, he CAN’T dance!”
  • Jerry from Obx NcThe song was prominently mentioned in an episode of Futurama (Episode 53: 'Future Stock'). Phillip Fry makes the comment: "That dance wasn't as safe as they said it was."
  • Will H from Washington Stateyou forgot biodome
  • Lance from London, United KingdomAs if we hadn't "spotted" men without hats songs in enough places I even found them in a 2004 scifi book titled "Death of a Sanitation Engineer" by Bob Pellerin. Turns out Bob went to McGill University and so did some of the Men without hats members (Ivan I think). There's a picture of the author with Ivan on facebook.

    Does anyone know what the song "Girl with the Silicon Eyes" is about??? I'm guessing it's not about the scifi book's character becoming an android. LOL
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxThis song was fun; 'Pop Goes the World' even moreso.
  • Susan from Airdrie, AbI'd love to know where in England they filmed the video. Absolutely gorgeous!!
  • Phillipo from Montrea, QcThe band had a talented keyboardist named Alan McCarthy later fired in a lineup shakeup a couple of years later as the 2 brothers (who were also constantly feuding) were the only ones who stick in every incarnation. McCarthy was suspected by a few to have been instrumental in coming up with the sound of this ditty as he had a ferocious aptitude for the gizmos required for such music. He died of AIDS a few years after.
  • James Wilson from Trenton, NjThis song was mentioned on an episode of the medical comedy "Scrubs". If I remember right Turk was singing this and then his wife, Carla, complained to Elliott Reid about it.
  • Juan from La Mirada, CaIn South Park, Butters dances to this song in the homage to the 80's episode entitled Ass-pen.
  • Chase from Miami, FlIf you notice all the men in the video are wearing hats and band members appear periodically in the backround without hats
  • Samuel from Peoria, Belgiumgreat song
  • Billy from Perris, CaThis song was also featured in Family Guy as a distraction to party guests.
  • Robert from Houston, TxIn the sci-fi series Futurama, lead character Fry observes that this dance wasn't as safe as everyone said it was.
  • Mark from London, EnglandA shaped picture disc of this was released, with a different version of the song on the A-side and a new song, Security, on the flip.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.