Funkytown

{{Infobox song

| name = Funkytown

| image = Funkytown by Lipps Inc US single side A.png

| alt =

| caption = Side A of US 7-inch vinyl single

| type = Single

| artist = Lipps Inc.

| album = Mouth to Mouth

| B-side = All Night Dancing

| released = March 11, 1980{{cite book|first= Norm N. |last= Nite |author-link= Norm N. Nite |year= 1985 |title= Rock On: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock n' Roll : The Video Revolution, 1978-present |page= 189 |publisher= Harper & Row |isbn= 978-0-06-181644-4}}

| recorded =

| studio = Sound 80 (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

| venue =

| genre =

Funk{{cite book|first1= Peter |last1= Pickow |first2= Amy |last2= Appleby |year= 1988 |title= The Billboard Book of Song Writing |publisher= Billboard Publications |page= 146}}{{cite web|last= Casalena|first= Em|title= 4 One-Hit Wonders That Accidentally Defined Genres|website= American Songwriter|date= January 11, 2025|url= https://americansongwriter.com/4-one-hit-wonders-that-accidentally-defined-genres/|accessdate= January 11, 2025}}
disco{{cite web|first= Steve |last= Huey |title= Lipps, Inc. – Artist Biography |website= AllMusic |access-date= June 26, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lipps-inc-mn0000243932/biography}}
Minneapolis sound{{cite magazine|last= Billboard Staff|title= The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List|magazine= Billboard |url= https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-pop-songs-all-time-hits/|date= October 19, 2023|accessdate= February 11, 2024|quote= The Minneapolis Sound jam that makes moving to another city sound about 10000x more fun than it is in practice, and proof that disco didn’t go the way of the dodo as soon as the calendar turned to 1980.}}
synth-pop{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: Lipps, Inc.'s "Funkytown"|website= Stereogum |date= March 25, 2020 |url= https://www.stereogum.com/2077732/the-number-ones-lipps-inc-s-funkytown/columns/the-number-ones/|quote= ...but it does bridge eras in a similar way, connecting the dying embers of disco to the bleepy synthpop that was still taking shape in 1980... yet the song’s chilly sparseness...look[s] forward into the coming synthpop explosion of the ’80s.|accessdate= July 15, 2023}}
dance-pop{{cite book|first=Dave|last=Marsh|title=The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5t5DYDniSHEC|date=1989|publisher=Plume|isbn=0-452-26305-0|page=141}}

| length =

7:50 (album version)
3:59 (single version)
2:45 (video version)

| label = Casablanca

| writer = Steven Greenberg

| producer = Steven Greenberg

| prev_title = Rock It

| prev_year = 1979

| next_title = How Long

| next_year = 1980

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|uhzy7JaU2Zc|"Funkytown"}} at Musikladen}}

}}

"Funkytown" is a song by American disco-funk group Lipps Inc., written and produced by Steven Greenberg and released by Casablanca Records in March 1980 as the second single from the group's debut studio album, Mouth to Mouth (1979). The track was met with immediate commercial success, reaching number one on various record charts in different countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Israel, New Zealand, Spain, West Germany and on the US Billboard Hot 100. It quickly became the group's signature song, selling over eight million copies worldwide and becoming their most successful song.{{cite magazine|title= New Design |magazine= Billboard |date= September 20, 1980 |volume= 92 |issue= 38 |page= 4 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=HCQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT3}}

Composition and lyrics

Sung by Lipps Inc.'s lead vocalist Cynthia Johnson, the tune features the narrator pining for a metaphorical place that will "keep me movin', keep me groovin' with some energy", while Lipps Inc. members were dreaming of relocating from Minneapolis to New York City.{{cite news|first= Andrea |last= Swensson |title= 50 cool facts about the Minnesota music scene |newspaper= City Pages |date= September 22, 2011 |access-date= July 28, 2013 |url= http://www.citypages.com/music/50-cool-facts-about-the-minnesota-music-scene-6653411 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150710075808/http://www.citypages.com/music/50-cool-facts-about-the-minnesota-music-scene-6653411 |archive-date= July 10, 2015}} The song is in {{Time signature|4|4}} time with a key of C major.{{cite web|title= Funkytown by Lipps Inc. – Digital Sheet Music |website= Musicnotes.com |date= 20 October 2008 |access-date= 3 June 2021 |url= https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0068867}}

Chart performance

In the United States, "Funkytown" entered the Billboard Hot 100 on March 29, 1980 and spent four weeks at number one, from May 31 to June 21, 1980. It also topped the Disco Top 60 chart for four non-consecutive weeks and peaked at number two on the Hot Soul Singles chart for four weeks also, from May 24 to June 21, 1980.{{cite web|title= The Billboard Hot R&B Singles: Week of May 24, 1980 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= May 16, 2017 |url= http://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1980-05-24 |archive-date= March 30, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180330051220/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1980-05-24 |url-status= live}} "Funkytown" was first certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on May 23, 1980 and later Platinum on July 17, 1980. Billboard magazine ranked the song as the eighth most popular single of 1980. It is Lipps Inc.'s only US Top 40 hit single.

Elsewhere, "Funkytown" was a number-one hit in countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and West Germany, and peaked at number two in Finland, Sweden and on the UK Singles Chart.

Music videos

"Funkytown" has at least two music videos. In one, an unidentified black woman lip synching Johnson's vocals dances with some women in a pub. In another video, Doris D, who fronted Lipps Inc. in the Netherlands and West Germany, dances while lip synching the vocals.{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: Lipps, Inc.'s "Funkytown" |website= Stereogum |date= March 25, 2020 |access-date= September 7, 2020 |url= https://www.stereogum.com/2077732/the-number-ones-lipps-inc-s-funkytown/franchises/columns/the-number-ones/ |archive-date= September 10, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200910124640/https://www.stereogum.com/2077732/the-number-ones-lipps-inc-s-funkytown/franchises/columns/the-number-ones/ |url-status= live}} Johnson's website claims that the singer "was never asked to perform a video of 'Funkytown{{'}}".{{cite web |title=Stay Tuned for Cynthia's Book, From Funkytown to Higher Ground |url=http://cynthiajohnson.net/bio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225133731/http://cynthiajohnson.net/bio |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=March 17, 2021 |website=Cynthiajohnson.net}}

Legacy and impact

In 1997, DJ John Acquaviva listed "Funkytown" with his top ten tracks, saying "It's always been one of my favorite songs. It's got an amazing bassline that sounds great on a good system and people love it. Some people in Germany I know are reissuing it."{{cite magazine|first=|last=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-11-15.pdf|title=Jock On His Box|magazine=Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=November 15, 1997|page=4|accessdate=September 20, 2022}} In October 2000, VH1 ranked the song number 64 in their list of "100 Greatest Dance Songs".{{cite web|title=100 Greatest Dance Songs|url=http://vh-1.com/insidevh1/shows/100greatestlist/100dance.jhtml|publisher=VH1|date=October 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020324113157/http://vh-1.com/insidevh1/shows/100greatestlist/100dance.jhtml|archive-date=March 24, 2002|access-date=April 11, 2025}} In 2009, it was ranked number 94 on Entertainment Weekly's "The 100 Greatest Summer Songs", saying, "This one-hit wonder belonged to the tail end of the disco era but also presaged the techno-pop epoch about to come...totally synthetic, totally cool."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20201383_20201385_20202309_6,00.html|title=The 100 Greatest Summer Songs: Nos. 100–76|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227060042/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20201383_20201385_20202309_6,00.html |access-date=April 2, 2025|archive-date=February 27, 2009 }} Same year, VH1 ranked the song number 37 on its list of the "100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 1980s".{{cite web|first= Rahsheeda |last= Ali |title= 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s |website= VH1 |date= May 2, 2013 |access-date= October 8, 2018 |url= https://www.vh1.com/news/58qjan/100-greatest-one-hit-wonders-of-the-80s |archive-date= July 30, 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170730134511/http://www.vh1.com/news/1243/100-greatest-one-hit-wonders-of-the-80s/}} In 2018, Time Out ranked it number 44 on its list of "The 100 best party songs", writing, "'Funkytown' expresses a simple, repetitive yearning for the pulse of a bigger city, goosed by a killer ten-note synth riff. "Gotta make a move to a town that's right for me", sings Cynthia Johnson in a robotic, vocoderized voice (a precursor to the Auto-Tune sound) before busting out an unmodified, soulful wail, pleading for a trip to the party destination of her dreams. Released in 1980, 'Funkytown' came late to the disco party, but gave it a jolt of electricity.{{cite magazine|title= The 100 best party songs |magazine= Time Out |date= March 8, 2018 |access-date= October 4, 2018 |url= https://www.timeout.com/london/music/best-party-songs |archive-date= October 30, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201030172731/https://www.timeout.com/london/music/best-party-songs |url-status= live}} In 2018, ThoughtCo. ranked the song number seven on its list of the "25 Best Dance Pop Songs of All Time".{{cite web|first= Bill |last= Lamb |title= 25 Best Dance Pop Songs of All Time |website= ThoughtCo |date= May 1, 2018 |access-date= October 6, 2018 |url= https://www.thoughtco.com/best-dance-pop-songs-4147273 |url-status= live |archive-date= October 6, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181006075519/https://www.thoughtco.com/best-dance-pop-songs-4147273}}

=Cultural use=

The song was used in movies such as Love on Delivery, Shrek 2, and Alvin and the Chipmunks, as well as in television shows, such as the 13th episode of the 1st season of Malcolm in the Middle, "Rollerskates".{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

Track listing and formats

All tracks were written and produced by Steven Greenberg.

US 7-inch vinyl single (810 326-7)

:A1. "Funkytown" – 3:57

:B1. "All Night Dancing" – 3:09

Australian 12-inch vinyl single (6198 342)

:A1. "Funkytown" – 7:46

:B1. "All Night Dancing" – 8:18

Mexican 12-inch vinyl single (3027)

:A1. "Funkytown" (Super Disco version) – 12:43

:B1. "All Night Dancing" – 3:09

Charts

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

!Chart (1980)

!Peak
position

Argentina (Prensario){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1980/CB-1980-07-05.pdf|title=Argentina - Top 45s|magazine=Cash Box|page=42 (scroll to page 268)|date=5 July 1980|access-date=12 May 2024}}

|align="center"|9

Australia (Kent Music Report){{Cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |year=1993 |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |edition=illustrated |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=St Ives, NSW |isbn=0-646-11917-6}} n.b. The Kent Report chart was licensed by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) from mid-1983 until 19 June 1988.{{rp|178}}

|align="center"|1

{{singlechart|Austria|1|artist=Lipps, Inc.|song=Funkytown|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|Flanders|1|artist=Lipps, Inc.|song=Funkytown|access-date=July 28, 2013|refname="BEL"}}

{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=7799a|access-date=May 31, 2013|refname="CAN"}}

Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite web|title= UK, Eurochart, Billboard & Cashbox No.1 Hits |website= MusicSeek.info |url= http://musicseek.info/no1hits/1980.htm |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060614052109/http://musicseek.info/no1hits/1980.htm |archive-date= June 14, 2006}}

|align="center"|1

Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=149|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2021|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021|section=Lipps Inc.|page=149|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|access-date=July 2, 2022|language=fi}}

|align="center"|2

France (IFOP){{cite web|title= Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 80's |website= InfoDisc |access-date= May 16, 2016 |url= http://www.infodisc.fr/Chanson_Number1_80.php |url-status= live |archive-date= April 23, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160423100000/http://www.infodisc.fr/Chanson_Number1_80.php |language= fr}}

|align="center"|1

{{singlechart|Ireland2|3|song=Funky Town|access-date=May 31, 2013}}

Italy (Musica e dischi){{cite web |url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php |title=Classifiche |work=Musica e dischi |language=it |access-date=June 5, 2022}} Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Funky town" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".

|align="center"|5

{{singlechart|Dutch40|1|year=1980|week=22|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|Dutch100|1|artist=Lipps, Inc.|song=Funkytown|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|New Zealand|1|artist=Lipps, Inc.|song=Funkytown|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|Norway|1|artist=Lipps, Inc.|song=Funkytown|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web|title= South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969–1989 Acts (L) |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= July 28, 2013 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(L).html |url-status= live |archive-date= April 26, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110426161312/http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_%28L%29.html}}

|align="center"|5

Spain (Promusicae){{cite book|first= Fernando |last= Salaverri |date= September 2005 |title= Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |edition= 1st |publisher= Fundación Autor-SGAE |location= Spain |isbn= 84-8048-639-2 |language= es}}

|align="center"|1

{{singlechart|Sweden|2|artist=Lipps, Inc.|song=Funkytown|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|Switzerland|1|artist=Lipps, Inc.|song=Funkytown|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|UK|2|date=19800628|artist=Lipps Inc.|access-date=July 28, 2013|refname="UK"}}

US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|title= Lipps Inc. – Awards |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= May 31, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lipps-inc-mn0000243932/awards |url-status= dead |archive-date= May 1, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130501000332/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lipps-inc-mn0000243932/awards}}

|align="center"|1

US Disco Top 60 (Billboard)
(with "All Night Dancing")

|align="center"|1

US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)

|align="center"|2

US Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine |title= CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending MAY 31, 1980 |magazine= Cash Box |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19800531.html |archive-date= September 15, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120915070855/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19800531.html |accessdate= July 10, 2014 |url-status= dead }}

|align="center"|1

US Record World{{cite magazine|title= Record World Singles |magazine= Record World |date= May 31, 1980 |page= 25 |issn= 0034-1622 |access-date= September 23, 2017 |url= http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/80s/80/Record-World-1980-05-31.pdf}}

|align="center"|1

{{singlechart|West Germany|1|artist=Lipps Inc|song=Funkytown|songid=652|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable"

!Chart (1980)

!Rank

Australia (Kent Music Report){{rp|432}}

|align="center"|9

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|title= Jahreshitparade 1980 |publisher= Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien |access-date= July 10, 2014 |url= http://www.austriancharts.at/1980_single.asp |url-status= live |archive-date= October 14, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131014174716/http://www.austriancharts.at/1980_single.asp |language= de}}

|align="center"|4

Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten 1980 |publisher= Ultratop. Hung Medien |access-date= July 10, 2014 |url= http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1980 |url-status= live |archive-date= March 21, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190321100333/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1980 |language= nl}}

|align="center"|3

Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.0272.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 of 1980 - December 20, 1980}}

|align="center"|14

Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|title= Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1980 |publisher= Dutch Top 40 |access-date= July 10, 2014 |url= http://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1980 |url-status= live |archive-date= March 30, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190330120825/https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1980 |language= nl}}

|align="center"|5

Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten – Single 1980 |publisher= Single Top 100. Hung Medien |access-date= July 10, 2014 |url= http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1980&cat=s |url-status= live |archive-date= March 24, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190324103121/https://www.dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1980&cat=s |language= nl}}

|align="center"|10

New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ){{cite web|title= End of Year Charts 1979 |publisher= Recorded Music New Zealand |access-date= May 16, 2016 |url= https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1980-12-31 |url-status= live |archive-date= August 24, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180824034312/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3869}}

|align="center"|7

Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|title= Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1980 |publisher= Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien |access-date= July 10, 2014 |url= http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=1980 |url-status= live |archive-date= July 29, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100729114343/http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=1980 |language= de}}

|align="center"|2

US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|title= Top 100 Hits for 1980 |website= The Longbored Surfer |access-date= July 10, 2014 |url= http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1980 |url-status= live |archive-date= August 4, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140804122754/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1980}}

|align="center"|8

US Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine |title= The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1980 |magazine= Cash Box |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1980YESP.html |archive-date= September 15, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120915071244/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1980YESP.html |accessdate= July 10, 2014 |url-status= dead }}

|align="center"|10

Certifications and sales

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Lipps Inc|title=Funky Town|award=Platinum|relyear=1981|certyear=1981|certref={{cite magazine|first= Glenn A. |last= Baker |title= Local Talent and the Indies: Scoring High on World and Home Courts |magazine= Billboard |via= World Radio History |volume= 93 |issue= 18 |page= ANZ-23 |date= May 9, 1981 |access-date= December 5, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1981/BB-1981-05-09.pdf |url-status= live |archive-date= December 5, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211205144906/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1981/BB-1981-05-09.pdf}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Lipps Inc|title=Funkytown|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1980|certyear=1980|salesamount=300,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1981/BB-1981-01-24.pdf|title=Juno Album, Singles Data|magazine=Billboard|via=World Radio History|page=102|date=January 24, 1981|accessdate=January 13, 2023}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|artist=Lipps Inc.|title=Funkytown|award=Gold|relyear=1980|certyear=1980|source=infodisc|access-date=25 November 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Lipps Inc.|title=Funkytown|award=Gold|relyear=1980|certyear=1980}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=single|artist=Lipps Inc.|title=Funkytown|nocert=true|relyear=1980|salesamount=1,000,000|salesref={{cite magazine|date=February 28, 1981|title=Mexico Hot For Lipps, Vice Versa|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1981/BB-1981-02-28.pdf|magazine=Billboard|page=52|access-date=October 23, 2023}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Lipps Inc|title=Funkytown|award=Platinum|relyear=1980|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=September 29, 2024|refname=RMNZ}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Lipps Inc|title=Funky Town|award=Silver|relyear=1980|certyear=1980|id=2449-425-1|note=Physical|access-date=September 29, 2024|refname=BPI}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Lipps Inc|title=Funkytown|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|id=20383-425-1|note=Digital|access-date=September 29, 2024|refname=BPI1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Lipps Inc|title=Funkytown|award=Platinum|relyear=1980|certyear=1980|salesamount=3,000,000|salesref=|access-date=May 17, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=8,000,000|salesref={{cite magazine|title= New Design |magazine= Billboard |date= September 20, 1980 |volume= 92 |issue= 38 |page= 4 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=HCQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT3}}}}

Pseudo Echo version

{{Infobox song

| name = Funkytown

| cover = Funkytown Pseudo Echo.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Pseudo Echo

| album = Love an Adventure

| B-side = Lies Are Nothing

| released = {{Start date|1986|11|17|df=y}}{{cite web|title= Singles: New Releases |issue= 644 |date= November 17, 1986 |publisher= Kent Music Report |via= Imgur |access-date= December 3, 2019 |url= https://imgur.com/NhK5UOd |url-status= live |archive-date= December 19, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211219090045/https://imgur.com/NhK5UOd}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = {{flat list|

Rock{{cite news|title= Here's 100 great songs designed to be the soundtrack to your summer |publisher= News.com.au |date= December 13, 2014 |access-date= May 16, 2016 |url= http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/heres-100-great-songs-designed-to-be-the-soundtrack-to-your-summer/news-story/6e50bb4ae914eb2d16978970aecd5aa5 |url-status= live |archive-date= August 26, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170826183344/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/heres-100-great-songs-designed-to-be-the-soundtrack-to-your-summer/news-story/6e50bb4ae914eb2d16978970aecd5aa5}}
dance-rock{{cite web|first= Michael |last= Sutton |title= Pseudo Echo – Love an Adventure |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= June 26, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/love-an-adventure-mw0000192548 |url-status= live |archive-date= March 29, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150329000621/http://www.allmusic.com/album/love-an-adventure-mw0000192548}}}}

| length = 4:54 (Australian single version/video mix)
3:40 (single version)
6:35 (Australian album version/dance mix)

| label = {{flat list|

RCA
EMI}}

| writer = Steven Greenberg

| producer = Brian Canham

| prev_title = Try

| prev_year = 1986

| next_title = Take On the World

| next_year = 1987

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|uE-itlGNap4|"Funkytown"}}}}

}}

In 1986, "Funkytown" was covered by Australian new wave band Pseudo Echo in rock form on their album Love an Adventure, including a guitar solo in the middle. It reached number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spent seven weeks at number one in Australia and six weeks at number one in New Zealand. Like the original song by Lipps Inc., Pseudo Echo's version of the track is the band's only UK Top 40 hit single.

=Track listing and formats=

US 7-inch vinyl single (EMI 1883)

:A1. "Funkytown" – 3:40

:B1. "Lies Are Nothing" – 3:58

12-inch vinyl maxi single (ED 237) / (RCA 5217–7)

:A1. "Funkytown" (Dance Mix) – 6:32

:B1. "Funkytown" – 3:40

:B2. "Lies Are Nothing" – 3:58

=Charts=

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable"

!Chart (1986–1987)

!Peak
position

Australia (Kent Music Report){{rp|241}}

|align="center"|1

{{singlechart|Austria|13|artist=Pseudo Echo|song=Funky Town|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|Flanders|40|artist=Pseudo Echo|song=Funky Town|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=0847|artist=Pseudo Echo|access-date=June 4, 2013}}

{{singlechart|Ireland2|12|song=Funky Town|access-date=May 31, 2013}}

{{singlechart|New Zealand|1|artist=Pseudo Echo|song=Funky Town|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web|title= South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969–1989 Acts (P) |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= July 28, 2013 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(P).html |url-status= live |archive-date= August 11, 2003 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030811074221/http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(P).html}}

|align="center"|2

{{singlechart|Sweden|9|artist=Pseudo Echo|song=Funky Town|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|Switzerland|11|artist=Pseudo Echo|song=Funky Town|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

{{singlechart|UK|8|date=19870829|artist=Pseudo Echo|access-date=July 28, 2013}}

US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|title= Pseudo Echo – Awards |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= May 31, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pseudo-echo-mn0000311653/awards |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 19, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211219090046/https://www.allmusic.com/search/artists/pseudo+echo}}

|align="center"|6

US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)

|align="center"|4

US Dance/Electronic Singles Sales (Billboard)

|align="center"|1

US Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine |title= CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JULY 11, 1987 |magazine= Cash Box |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19870711.html |archive-date= October 6, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121006043446/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19870711.html |accessdate= July 10, 2014 |url-status= dead }}

|align="center"|12

{{singlechart|West Germany|16|artist=Pseudo Echo|song=Funky Town|songid=1667|access-date=February 18, 2019}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable"

!Chart (1986)

!Rank

Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite magazine|url=https://i.imgur.com/F7ais40.jpg|title=National Top 100 Singles for 1986|magazine=Kent Music Report|issue=650|date=December 1986|via=Imgur|access-date= 24 January 2023}}

|align="center"|93

class="wikitable sortable"

!Chart (1987)

!Rank

Australia (Kent Music Report){{rp|439}}

|align="center"|19

Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine|title= Top 100 Singles of '87 |magazine= RPM |volume= 47 |issue= 12 |date= December 26, 1987 |access-date= May 16, 2016 |url= http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0920&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0920.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0920 |url-status= live |archive-date= September 18, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160918125233/http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0920&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0920.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0920}}

|align="center"|17

New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ){{cite web|title= End of Year Charts 1987 |publisher= Recorded Music New Zealand |access-date= May 16, 2016 |url= https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1987-12-31 |url-status= live |archive-date= February 10, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150210184811/http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3876}}

|align="center"|1

US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web |title= Top 100 Hits for 1987 |website= The Longbored Surfer |access-date= July 10, 2014 |url= http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1987 |url-status= live |archive-date= June 13, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140613093946/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1987}}

|align="center"|99

US Dance/Electronic Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine |title= Top Dance Sales 12-inch Singles |magazine= Billboard |date= December 26, 1987 |volume= 99 |issue= 52 |page= Y-30 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=JCgEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22funky+town%22&pg=RA1-PA17}}

|align="center"|37

class="wikitable"

!Chart (1988)

!Rank

South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web|title= Top 20 Hit Singles of 1988 |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= May 1, 2019 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1988.html |url-status= live |archive-date= April 4, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180404191808/http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1988.html}}

|align="center"|18

=Certifications and sales=

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Pseudo Echo|title=Funky Town|award=Gold|relyear=1987|certyear=1987|access-date=September 26, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Pseudo Echo|title=Funky Town|award=Gold|relyear=1986|id=1987-04-10|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=1987}}