“We Built This City“, might get all the attention, good and bad, but let’s talk about another 80’s classic.
Picture this: It’s the mid-’80s, and this song comes on the radio with its super catchy horns, a driving beat, and lyrics that are both funny and surprisingly insightful.
This song might seem to be about partying like other classic rock artists, but it’s not.
Or maybe you discovered it later through that scene in “American Psycho,” and it took on a whole new, slightly twisted meaning!
The song title, “Hip to Be Square”, is kind of ironic, right?
Because who really wants to be “square”?
- Writers: Huey Lewis, Bill Gibson, Sean Hopper
- Performed by: Huey Lewis and the News
- Album: Fore! (1986)
- Producer: Huey Lewis and the News
📝 Background & Meaning:
“Hip to Be Square” was written by Huey Lewis, Bill Gibson (drummer), and Sean Hopper (keyboardist) for the band’s 1986 album Fore!.
The song became one of the band’s most recognizable hits, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.
The song’s lyrics explore the shift in societal values from rebellion and counterculture to embracing responsibility, stability, and mainstream success.
Lewis, known for his wit and clever observations, sings about how being “square”—traditionally seen as uncool—has become respectable and even desirable.
It’s an ironic yet sincere celebration of living a conventional life, having a stable job, paying bills on time, and keeping things in order.
The track humorously points out how those who once rebelled against societal norms in their youth eventually become part of the system they once resisted.
🎤 Key Themes:
- Embracing Responsibility: The song celebrates the virtues of stability and routine over chaos and rebellion.
- Ironic Social Commentary: It humorously highlights how youthful rebels often grow into the “squares” they once mocked.
- Changing Values: Reflects the shift in priorities as people mature, focusing on security and order.
- Self-Acceptance: The song promotes being okay with who you are, even if it’s not seen as “cool.”
🎧 Notable Lyrics:
“I used to be a renegade, I used to fool around / But I couldn’t take the punishment, and had to settle down.”
- Reflects the transition from a carefree, rebellious youth to a more structured adult life.
“It’s hip to be square.”
- The catchy chorus drives home the core message of the song—that it’s okay (even cool) to embrace a responsible, stable lifestyle.
“I like my bands in business suits / I watch them on TV.”
- Pokes fun at the corporate influence on mainstream music and culture.
🎸 Musical Highlights:
- Upbeat Horn Section: The bright brass instrumentation gives the track a celebratory, energetic vibe.
- Catchy Guitar Riff: The simple yet infectious guitar riff carries the song’s momentum.
- Confident Vocals: Huey Lewis delivers the lyrics with charisma, humor, and clarity.
- Rhythmic Drive: The steady drumbeat and tight rhythm section keep the song danceable and engaging.
- Polished Production: The song has a clean, radio-friendly sound, perfectly suited for 1980s pop-rock audiences.
🌍 Cultural Impact:
- “Hip to Be Square” became one of Huey Lewis and the News’ most iconic songs, embodying the clean, polished sound of mid-80s pop-rock.
- The track was prominently featured in the 2000 film American Psycho during a scene where Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale) discusses the band’s music before committing a violent act.
- It remains a frequent feature in 80s nostalgia playlists, movies, and commercials.
- The song humorously captures the yuppie culture of the 1980s, where success, wealth, and respectability were celebrated.
- Huey Lewis and the News became known for their accessible sound, relatable lyrics, and everyman appeal, and this song exemplified those qualities.
🎤 “Hip to Be Square” Fun Fact:
- The song was initially misunderstood as endorsing a shallow, materialistic lifestyle, but Huey Lewis clarified that it’s actually a satirical commentary on societal values.
- In American Psycho, the song’s meaning is analyzed by Patrick Bateman in an unsettling monologue, which added a darkly ironic twist to its upbeat nature.
- Huey Lewis reportedly refused to allow the song on the American Psycho soundtrack because he found the film’s interpretation of the track disturbing.
🔑 What It Represents:
“Hip to Be Square” isn’t just a song—it’s a clever, tongue-in-cheek anthem about the irony of growing up and embracing the mainstream ideals once rejected in youth.
It represents:
- The humor and irony of growing into societal norms.
- The appeal of stability and responsibility in adult life.
- A satirical take on the yuppie culture of the 1980s.
- A timeless pop-rock anthem with a deeper social commentary.
With its infectious chorus, lively brass arrangement, and playful commentary, “Hip to Be Square” remains one of Huey Lewis and the News’ most iconic hits, perfectly capturing the spirit and contradictions of 1980s culture. 🎶📐🎸
The Timeless Appeal 🕰️✨
So, why does “Hip to Be Square” still get people talking, even decades later?
It’s all about that ironic twist. Many classic rock artists did that. The song title highlights this.
The lyrics are basically saying, “Hey, it’s actually okay to be responsible, to have a normal job, to pay your bills on time.”
It’s like the song is making fun of the whole “yuppie” culture of the ’80s, but also kind of celebrating it at the same time.
It’s about growing up, settling down, and realizing that maybe being “square” isn’t so bad after all.
The Final Note 🔚🎶🔥
“Hip to Be Square” isn’t just a catchy pop-rock song; it’s a clever commentary on changing values and the hilarious contradictions of growing up.
It’s a reminder that rebelling against “the man” is cool when you’re young, but eventually, most of us end up becoming “the man” (or woman!) in some way.
The song title helps describe this concept. Just like other classic rock artists, it’s got its own style.
So crank it up, sing along, and remember – it’s totally okay to embrace your inner “square”! (Just maybe don’t go full Patrick Bateman about it…).
