Released in October 1986 – with “Some of My Lies Are True -(Remix)” on the B-side – as a single from their hit album Fore!, “Hip to Be Square” is one of Huey Lewis and the News’ most memorable tracks—an upbeat, brassy pop-rock tune that blends tongue-in-cheek humor with a surprisingly sharp commentary on adult life and conformity.
Musically, the song is a polished mix of rock energy, pop sensibility, and soul-influenced horns. The driving rhythm, infectious guitar riffs, and bold brass section give it an anthemic, almost celebratory feel. Huey Lewis delivers the vocals with his trademark clarity and charm, straddling the line between earnest and ironic. The song features San Francisco 49ers players Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Dwight Clark, and Riki Ellison singing backup vocals
“Hip to Be Square” pokes fun at the idea of “selling out” or settling into a more conventional, responsible lifestyle. It’s delivered with such upbeat energy that some listeners took it at face value—missing the subtle satire buried in its cheerful tone. While the song celebrates cleanliness, exercise, and structure, it’s really highlighting how rebellion often gives way to routine with age. The clever twist is that the very people once considered “cool” or edgy may find themselves embracing the very conventions they used to reject—and maybe even liking it.
“Hip to Be Square” was a commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and helped solidify the band’s place in mid-’80s American pop-rock. The song later gained renewed attention and a cult following thanks to its ironic use in the 2000 film American Psycho, where it’s used during a chilling scene featuring Christian Bale’s character, Patrick Bateman. The juxtaposition of the upbeat song and the disturbing visuals added a new layer of meaning to its legacy.