I used to be a renegade
I used to fool around
But I couldn't take the punishment
And had to settle down
Now I'm playing it real straight
And yes, I cut my hair
You might think I'm crazy, but I don't even care
'Cause I can tell what's going on

It's hip to be square
It's hip to be square

I like my bands in business suits
I watch them on TV
I'm workin' out 'most every day
And watchin' what I eat
They tell me that it's good for me
But I don't even care
I know that it's crazy, I know that it's nowhere
But there is no denying that

It's hip to be square
It's hip to be square
It's hip to be square
So hip to be square

It's not too hard to figure out
You see it every day
And those that were the farthest out
Have gone the other way
You see them on the freeway
It don't look like a lot of fun
But don't you try to fight it
And an idea whose time has come
Don't tell me that I'm crazy, don't tell me I'm nowhere
Take it from me

It's hip to be square
It's hip to be square
It's hip to be square
So hip to be square

Tell 'em, boys
Here, there, and everywhere
Hip, hip, so hip to be square
Here, there, and everywhere
Hip, hip
Here, there, and everywhere
Hip, hip, so hip to be square
Here, there, and everywhere
Hip, hip
Here, there, and everywhere
Hip, hip, so hip to be square
Here, there, and everywhere
Hip, hip
Here, there, and everywhere
Hip, hip, so hip to be square
Here, there, and everywhere
So hip to be square
Hip, hip


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Hip to Be Square Lyrics as written by Sean Thomas Hopper Huey Lewis

Lyrics © Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Hip To Be Square song meanings
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31 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment
    It's a song so catchy that most people probably don't listen to the lyrics but they should because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity or the importance of trends but a personal statement about the band itself.
    Ayavaronon June 05, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    I have yet to meet single person who knew this song before American Psycho. And you know what? There's absolutely nothing wrong with that because the only REAL way to be introduced to this song is in American Psycho with our Partrick Bateman's fluent and idiosyncratic definition of the songs meaning and creation.
    derek808on January 06, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I think this guy was a real player with the ladies, loved to party and it all took a toll on him. Then he realized that his life was going no where and the things he took pleasure in were no longer making him happy. So he straightened out his life...grew up maybe. Now he appreciates his life and taking care of his self. He's been on the "other way" and he sees there's nothing special about selling yourself out. Because really that's what people are doing everyday selling themselves short cause they give in to what the world wants from them not what they really want. There isn't any shame in living a good clean life...It's hip to be square!
    observer01on December 05, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    "Hip To Be Square" captured the growing up of the hippy generation that chose to conform and become yuppies in the Eighties
    Matt Holckon September 19, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    "TRY GETTING A RESERVATION AT DORSIA NOW YOU FUCKING STUPID BASTARD!"
    Mathos22on April 26, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Everyone should see American Psycho.
    Danny86301on September 26, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i love blasting this song while my housemates look at me like i'm retarded.
    purplethunderon October 01, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    haha, fans of American Psycho should love this song.
    donniedarko28on December 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    In my opinion, there is no better song that best describes Patrick Bateman's "Exterior" character. Excellent tune
    Spike2kXon May 23, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    While I agree that this is an excellent tune, Spike2kx, I would have to disagree with your assessment that the lyrics describe Patrick Bateman's "external character." Patrick Bateman has neither an internal nor an external character. He is a complete void altogether. This song was probably chosen for the scene where Bateman kills Paul Allen for comical irony (not to mention the fact that the song is talked about at great length in the book).
    anonymity000on August 25, 2005   Link

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