Funkytown

Dear members of the disco band Lipps, Inc,

I am writing to request that you stop playing your hit song “Funkytown” during concerts and on the radio. I’m a resident of the northeast Oakland suburb Funkytown, a town which boasts one of the highest murder rates of any U.S. city, and I find the lyric “Won’t you take me to Funkytown?” insensitive and tasteless. In your song you describe Funkytown as a place to “keep me groovin’ with energy”, and you sing these lyrics rather cheerfully. Two of my brothers have been killed due to gang-related violence in Funkytown, and crime ravages the population daily. Please honor my request.

Thank you,

Karin Sheffield,
Head of Funkytown Neighborhood Watch Program

AJM '07