“Funkytown”
Single by Lipps Inc
B-side	All Night Dancing
Released	1980
Genre	Disco
Length	3:58
Label	Casablanca Records
Writer(s)	Steven Greenberg
Producer	Steven Greenberg
Audio sample
Info (help· info)

"Funkytown" is a song by the disco band Lipps Inc. The song expresses the pinings for a metaphorical place that keeps "me movin', keeps me groovin' with some energy" and is considered to be one of the last hit songs of the disco era, as by the spring of 1980 disco's popularity was fading. It was a number-one hit in many countries. Funky Town is Namie Amuros 32nd solo single under the Avex Trax label. ... South Memphis is one of the oldest portions on Memphis, it is located just south of downtown. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... Lipps Inc was a studio band that achieved one significant hit, Funkytown in 1980. ... “B-Sides” redirects here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... This article is about Casablanca, the record label. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... Alternative meaning: Steve Greenberg (record producer) Steven Greenberg (b. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... Alternative meaning: Steve Greenberg (record producer) Steven Greenberg (b. ... Image File history File links Funkytown_by_Lipps_Inc. ... Image File history File links Funkytown_by_Lipps_Inc. ... This article is about the music genre. ... Lipps Inc was a studio band that achieved one significant hit, Funkytown in 1980. ...

History

The song was written, produced and recorded in August 1979 by Gerard Flynn and engineered by his good friend Paul Banks. An accomplished drummer, Flynn played the percussion parts. Banks programmed the Oberheim and Moog synthesizers, and was responsible for suggesting and developing the Moog Vocoder voice effect that became the Funkytown signature sound. Flynn and Banks shared keyboard duties. Vocal tracks were performed by Cynthia Johnson and Greenberg (low Vocoder voice). It is unclear who performed the signature saxophone riff about midway through the song, although singer Cynthia Johnson was also an accomplished saxophonist, and it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that she is the one featured (uncredited) on the track. The Minneapolis-based touring band 'Lipps Inc.' consisted of Cynthia Johnson (singer), Terry Grant (bass), Ivan Rafowitz (keyboards), Peter Johnson (keyboards), Bobby Vandell (drums), Tom Riopelle (guitar), and Steven Greenberg (producer/writer). "Funkytown" reached the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and went platinum the following year. Lipps Inc. continued to record until 1985 with a changing line-up but never saw the success of that first hit. The song quickly came to symbolize the energetic, experimental Twin Cities music scene. Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... The saxophone (colloquially referred to as sax) is a conical-bored instrument of the woodwind family. ... This article is about the city in Minnesota. ... Cynthia Johnson was the lead singer of the popular Minneapolis-based band Lipps, Inc. ... Alternative meaning: Steve Greenberg (record producer) Steven Greenberg (b. ... “Hot 100” redirects here. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with RIAA certification. ... The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. ...

The original 45 of "Funkytown," released on Casablanca Records.

The song was a worldwide hit reaching number one in the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Spain and West Germany. "Funkytown" reached #2 in the United Kingdom Singles Chart in the summer of 1980. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 599 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2113 × 2116 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 599 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2113 × 2116 pixel, file size: 1. ...

In 1986, it was covered by Australian band Pseudo Echo, who gave the song a different direction, moving away from the early eighties' electronica towards later eighties' rock, including a guitar solo in the middle. Pseudo Echo's version spent seven weeks at number one in Australia, (Lipps Inc's was #1 for only two weeks in Australia), and was also a top-ten US hit in July of the following year. Pseudo Echo also never achieved great success with other releases, making Funkytown a rare example of a musical one-hit wonder for two different bands. Pseudo Echo are an Australian New Romantic band. ... Electronica refers to a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; but unlike electronic dance music, is not specifically focused on the dance floor. ... Guitar solos are a melodic passage, section, or entire piece of music written for an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. ... For other uses, see One hit wonder (disambiguation). ...

In 2007, it was covered by Alvin and the Chipmunks as their version appeared in the live-action/CGI film adaptation. Their version peaked at #86. Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... For other uses, see Alvin and the Chipmunks (disambiguation). ... Alvin and the Chipmunks is an upcoming live-action/computer-animated film, based on the popular musical group The Chipmunks (and, in several ways, the animated series Alvin and the Chipmunks). ...

External links

• The Official Funkytown web site