Safety Dance was released by Canadian synth-pop band Men Without Hats in 1982 on their album Rhythm of Youth, and became a major international hit the following year. Its catchy chorus and distinctive dance routine helped it endure well beyond the 1980s, and the song later found new life online through dance videos, GIFs and short-form edits that lean into its playful, carefree mood. Today it is widely recognised as a shorthand for lighthearted dancing, even by viewers who first encounter only a few seconds of the chorus.