Just Put A Hat On, Already!

Picture sleeve from "The Safety Dance" single

In the fall of 1983, the Canadian band Men Without Hats mesmerized the listening public with their hit song "The Safety Dance".  The song peaked at #3 in September of '83, and Men Without Hats were a staple on radio and on MTV.  But where did they get the odd name?

The band hails from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  Singer Ivan Doroschuk was joined in the band by several other members, including, at one point or another, his two brothers -- Stefan and Colin.  The three brothers had grown up in frigid Montreal, but valued image over comfort:  they refused to wear hats during Montreal's cold winters, and referred to themselves as "the men without hats".  And a band name was born.

Exactly what "the safety dance" is, however, we may never know.