as performed by
                              Tower of Power
                              --------------

{ Band intro }

So ya wanna dump out yo' trick bag.
Ease on in a hip thang,
But you ain't exactly sure what is hip.

So you started to let your hair grow.
Spent big bucks on your wardrobe.
Somehow, ya know there's much more to the trip.

(refrain #1)
   What is hip?
       Tell me, tell me, if you think you know.
   What is hip?
       If you're really hip,
       the question, "Will it show?"
           You're into a hip trip.
           Maybe hipper than hip.
   What is hip?
      { Trumpet solo/guitar solo }
(refrain #1 ends)

You became a part of a new breed.
Been smokin' only the best weed.
Hangin' out with the so called "Hippie set."

Seen in all the right places.
Seen with just the right faces.
You should be satisfied, but it ain't quite right.

{ refrain #1 }

Come on!

(refrain #2)
     Hipness is. What it is!
     Hipness is. What it is!
     Hipness is. What it is!
     Sometimes hipness is, what it ain't.
(end refrain #2)

{ guitar solo }

You went an' found you a guru.
In an effort to find you a new you,
And maybe even raise your conscious level.

While you're striving to find the right road,
There's one thing you should know,
"What's hip today, might become passe'."

{ refrain #1 }

{ Trumpet solo }

Think about it y'all.

{ keyboard solo }

{ refrain #2 }

What is hip?
     Ahhhhhhhhh!
What is hip?
     I'd like to know!
What is hip?
     Is it in the style of your hair?
What is hip?
     Is it in the clothes that you wear?
What is hip?
     I'd like to know.
What is hip?
     I'd like to know.
What is hip?
     What is hip y'all? Hey!
What is hip?
     Hey! Oh!
What is hip?
     What is hip y'all?
What is hip?
     I wanna know.
What is hip?
     Ahhhhhhh!
What is hip?
     I wanna know what hipness is.

{the end