The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) announced Tuesday it is inducting ‘80s pop hits “Safety Dance” and “Pop Goes the World” by Men Without Hats.
Both songs will be added to the CSHF interactive exhibition at the National Music Centre in Calgary. A virtual induction presentation will take place at a later date.
“You can’t help but dance to the synthesizer beats or have a smile on your face from the playful nature of their videos,” CSHF executive director Vanessa Thomas said, in a release. “The lyrics and messages are timeless, and continue to take on new meaning to new audiences.”
“Safety Dance”, released in 1982, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and went to No. 11 in Canada. "Pop Goes The World," released in 1987, went to No. 2 in Canada and was a Top 20 hit south of the border.
Both tracks were written by Men Without Hats frontman Ivan Doroschuk, now 62. Born in Illinois to Canadian parents, he spent his early years in Montreal but has called Vancouver Island home for the past two decades.