Lipps Inc
Encyclopedia
Lipps Inc. was a studio band
that achieved two significant hits, "Funkytown
", in 1980 and "Designer Music
", in 1981.
The group was formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota
by Steven Greenberg
, who wrote
and produced
all of the group's music, and who also played several musical instrument
s. The lead singer and saxophonist was Cynthia Johnson
, and the rest of the group consisted of a changing group of session musician
s, including guitarist David Rivkin
.
Lipps Inc. released their debut album Mouth to Mouth
in late 1979
. The second single from this album, "Funkytown
", spent four weeks at number one on both the Billboard Hot 100
and on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts in the United States and was awarded a platinum record
. It reached number two in the United Kingdom
and was a hit throughout the world. Their further singles failed to match their initial success (their only other Hot 100 entry was "Rock It", which peaked at #64), however they had more dance hits throughout the 1980s, including "How Long?" (originally a big hit for Ace
) in 1981, which reached #4 on the U.S. dance chart. Lipps Inc. released their final full-length album, 4, in 1983.
The novelty comedy duo, Two Live Jews, made a satire on the song with the title "Bargain Town" from their album "Disco Jews".
Studio band
A studio band is a musical band that is in regular employment of a Music Recording business for the purpose of playing music on recordings featuring a separate performer. The term may also refer to a band that does not perform live....
that achieved two significant hits, "Funkytown
Funkytown
"Funkytown" is a 1980 disco hit song by the disco band Lipps Inc. The song expresses the singer's pining for a metaphorical place that will "keep me movin', keeps me groovin' with some energy". It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Dance charts in 1980, also reaching number 1 in Germany,...
", in 1980 and "Designer Music
Designer Music
Designer Music is the third album by Lipps, Inc., and the last featuring Cynthia Johnson on vocals. It was released in 1981 on Casablanca Records.The single "Designer Music" became a hit in 1981.-Track listing:Side one# "Designer Music" – 5:43...
", in 1981.
The group was formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
by Steven Greenberg
Steven Greenberg (musician)
Steven Greenberg of Saint Paul, Minnesota is a musician, record producer and the owner of the independent October Records label. He is best known for his 1980 hit song "Funkytown," recorded under the name Lipps Inc...
, who wrote
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
all of the group's music, and who also played several musical instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
s. The lead singer and saxophonist was Cynthia Johnson
Cynthia Johnson
Cynthia Maria Johnson is an African American singer, best known to many as the lead singer for the late 1970s/early 1980s band Lipps Inc.-Beginnings:...
, and the rest of the group consisted of a changing group of session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
s, including guitarist David Rivkin
David Z.
David Z is a music producer, engineer, mixer, and writer from Minneapolis, Minnesota who currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He is most well known for his long-standing work with Prince, but has also contributed to award winning albums by Etta James, Billy Idol, BoDeans, Buddy Guy, Neneh...
.
Lipps Inc. released their debut album Mouth to Mouth
Mouth to Mouth (Lipps Inc. album)
Mouth to Mouth is the first album by Disco act Lipps Inc. It was released in 1979 on Casablanca Records. The album was arranged, produced and mostly written by Steven Greenberg himself, who played five instruments on the album: keyboards, guitars, bass, drums, and percussion...
in late 1979
1979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
. The second single from this album, "Funkytown
Funkytown
"Funkytown" is a 1980 disco hit song by the disco band Lipps Inc. The song expresses the singer's pining for a metaphorical place that will "keep me movin', keeps me groovin' with some energy". It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Dance charts in 1980, also reaching number 1 in Germany,...
", spent four weeks at number one on both the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts in the United States and was awarded a platinum record
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. It reached number two in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and was a hit throughout the world. Their further singles failed to match their initial success (their only other Hot 100 entry was "Rock It", which peaked at #64), however they had more dance hits throughout the 1980s, including "How Long?" (originally a big hit for Ace
Ace (band)
Ace were a British rock music band, who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. They are notable for their part in the early career of Paul Carrack, who later became famous as a solo artist, and as a member of several other groups...
) in 1981, which reached #4 on the U.S. dance chart. Lipps Inc. released their final full-length album, 4, in 1983.
Cover versions
- The Australian group called Pseudo EchoPseudo EchoPseudo Echo are an Australian New Wave band formed in 1982 in Melbourne. The original line-up consisted of Brian Canham , Pierre Gigliotti , Tony Lugton and Anthony Argiro . A later line-up included James Leigh and his brother, Vince Leigh...
had a very successful cover version of Funky Town in the summer of 1987. It reached #6 in the US, #8 in the UK, and topped the charts in Australia for 7 weeks from December 1986, as well as charting high in New Zealand and many other countries around the world. - The British band World Domination EnterprisesWorld Domination EnterprisesWorld Domination Enterprises were an English indie rock band, who were active in the 1980s. The band mixed elements of indie rock, post-hardcore , and dub.World Domination Enterprises' sound was defined by their atonal guitar...
had a cover version of the song on their album Let's Play Domination in 1998. - The Mexican Rap/Rock group MolotovMolotov (band)Molotov is a four-time Latin Grammy Award-winning Mexican rock band formed in Mexico City on September 23, 1995. Their lyrics feature a mixture of Spanish and English, rapped and sung by all members of the group. Musically, Molotov blends heavy basslines with heavy guitar riffs...
made a cover version of the song "Designer Music" on their album Con Todo RespetoCon Todo RespetoCon Todo Respeto is a 2004 covers album by the Mexican band Molotov. The album was released in October 2004 by the label Universal Latino. The songs covered are from a variety of genres, including New Wave, Hip hop music, Punk, and traditional music of Mexico...
. - The French Industrialist outfit Treponem Pal covered this song on its 1997 album Higher.
The novelty comedy duo, Two Live Jews, made a satire on the song with the title "Bargain Town" from their album "Disco Jews".
Albums
- 1979: Mouth to MouthMouth to Mouth (Lipps Inc. album)Mouth to Mouth is the first album by Disco act Lipps Inc. It was released in 1979 on Casablanca Records. The album was arranged, produced and mostly written by Steven Greenberg himself, who played five instruments on the album: keyboards, guitars, bass, drums, and percussion...
- 1980: Pucker UpPucker upPucker Up is the second album by Lipps, Inc. It was released in 1980 on Casablanca Records.The album contains the minor hit "How Long", a cover of the 1974 Ace original.-Track listing:Side one# "How Long" 5:50# "Tight Pair" 8:33Side two...
- 1981: Designer MusicDesigner MusicDesigner Music is the third album by Lipps, Inc., and the last featuring Cynthia Johnson on vocals. It was released in 1981 on Casablanca Records.The single "Designer Music" became a hit in 1981.-Track listing:Side one# "Designer Music" – 5:43...
- 1982: 4
- 1985: Hit The Deck/Does Anybody Know Me
Compilation album
- 1992: Funkyworld: The Best of Lipps, Inc., Island RecordsIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
- 2003: Funkytown, Universal Music EnterprisesUniversal Music EnterprisesUniversal Music Enterprises, a.k.a. UMe is the catalogue division of Universal Music Group. It includes Hip-O Records, Universal Chronicles and UM3 ....
Singles
- 1979: "Rock It"
- 1979: "How Long"
- 1980: "FunkytownFunkytown"Funkytown" is a 1980 disco hit song by the disco band Lipps Inc. The song expresses the singer's pining for a metaphorical place that will "keep me movin', keeps me groovin' with some energy". It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Dance charts in 1980, also reaching number 1 in Germany,...
" - 1980: "Designer Music"
- 1981: "All Night Dancing"
- 1981: "Jazzy"
- 1981: "There They Are"
- 1982: "Tight Pair"
- 1982: "Addicted To The Night"
- 1983: "Hold Me Down"
- 1983: "Choir Practice"
- 1983: "Hit The Deck"
- 1984: "Does Anybody Know"
- 1985: "Power"
- 1985: "Gossip Song"