Lipps Inc., Funkytown | 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏

In the 13^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏, we highlight “Funkytown” performed by disco/funk collective, Lipps Inc..  

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  To be fair, it is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, it’s that ONE hit that earned them recognition. So, in the 13^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏, we dive into 🎵 “Funkytown”, the one hit wonder by 🎙 Lipps Inc..

“Won’t you take me to Funkytown?” Minneapolis, Minnesota collective 🎙 Lipps Inc. is remembered for one hit and one hit only: 🎵 “Funkytown”. “Funkytown,” the opening track from 💿 Mouth to Mouth (1979),  earned the disco/funk collective their sole no. 1 hit, and one of only two charting hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The beloved, infectious dance gem was written and produced by the collective’s founder, 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Steven Greenberg.  Notably, those signature vocals – the one where she asks to be taken to Funkytown –  are performed by 🎙 Cynthia Johnson.

Lyrically, “Funkytown” isn’t deep (an understatement 😏). It’s all about dancing – discoing 🕺 🪩 it up! In the verse, for example, Cynthia sings, “Gotta make a move to a town that’s right for me / Town to keep me movin’, keep me groovin’ with some energy.” Self-explanatory lyrics. The chorus provides further clarification, not that it was necessary, of course.  Johnson’s vocals are potent – part of the reason for the success of the track. This includes her processed vocals as well. Perhaps more notable is the backdrop – that instrumental is sick! It’s the drums 🥁, the percussion 🪘, the keys 🎹 and synths.  That bass line doesn’t hurt either 😉. Of course, there are also guitars 🎸, strings 🎻, and saxophone 🎷.  While 🎵 “Funkytown” runs nearly 8 minutes in duration (in its original form), it’s a celestial 8 minutes.  What I’m saying is, it is a no. 1 hit/ one-hit wonder well deserved 💪!

🎙 Lipps Inc. • 💿 Mouth to Mouth • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1979

Lipps Inc., Funkytown: 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏 No. 13 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Julia Larsen, Kurchakto, RDNE Stock project, Victor Terrell from Pexels; Andrew Martin from Pixabay]