“The Safety Dance” is a 1982 synth-pop and new wave anthem by the Canadian band Men Without Hats, released as the second single from their debut album Rhythm of Youth. Written by lead singer Ivan Doroschuk, the song originated from his personal frustration with nightclub bouncers who ejected him for pogo dancing—an energetic, jumping style associated with the emerging new wave scene—during the dying days of disco.
The track serves as a protest against authoritarian control over personal expression and dance, with lyrics like “We can dance if we want to” acting as a defiant retort to club security. Although initially overlooked in Canada, the song became a massive international hit in 1983, peaking at No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the US Dance chart, largely driven by heavy MTV rotation.
The song’s global popularity was significantly boosted by its whimsical music video directed by Tim Pope, which featured Doroschuk in medieval attire leading Morris dancers and other folk performers in the English countryside. While often misinterpreted by fans as an allegory for safe sex or anti-nuclear sentiments due to its imagery and era, Doroschuk has consistently clarified that the song is strictly about nonconformism and the freedom to dance without restriction.
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 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)
[Verse 2]
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
I 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
[Chorus]
I 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
See Men Without Hats Live
[Post-Chorus]
Safe to dance, well, it’s safe to dance
Yes, it’s safe to dance
[Verse 3]
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
[Chorus]
I 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
[Outro]
Oh well, it’s safe to dance
Ah, yes, it’s safe to dance
Oh well, it’s safe to dance
Oh well, it’s safe to dance
Oh, 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
