Beyond the Music

“Welcome to Beyond the Music — where we explore the hidden stories behind the songs you love. From chart-topping hits to forgotten gems, these are the tales of the artists, struggles, and moments that shaped the music. Enjoy, share, and discover the truth between the notes.”

The Story Behind “Funky Town” — The Voice That Wasn’t

“Funky Town” — that irresistible disco anthem with its iconic synth riff — stormed the charts in 1980, putting Lipps Inc. on the global map. But behind the hit single’s glittering success lies one of pop’s most curious tales of stand-ins, marketing magic, and a voice that didn’t match the face fans saw.

Lipps Inc. was the creation of Minneapolis musician and producer Steven Greenberg, who wrote and produced “Funky Town” as part of a studio project. The vocals that powered the song to No. 1 across the US, Germany, and other countries belonged to Cynthia Johnson, a talented singer and saxophonist from the Minneapolis scene.

But when the record company wanted to promote the single across Europe, they ran into a hitch. Lipps Inc. didn’t really exist as a touring band, and Cynthia wasn’t always available — or necessarily eager — to front the act on TV and in public appearances.

That’s where Debbie Jenner, a British singer and dancer living and working in the Netherlands, came in. Known later for her work with Doris D and the Pins, Debbie was brought in to front Lipps Inc. in videos and TV performances. In the video for “Funky Town” and during European promo spots, she mimed along to Cynthia’s vocals, giving the world a striking, energetic figure to associate with the hit.

For many fans, the face of Lipps Inc. became Debbie’s — even though it was Cynthia’s voice driving the song’s success.

Decades later, the story of “Funky Town” remains a classic reminder of how, in the world of pop, the image and the voice aren’t always the same — but the music keeps on getting people dancing.

What happened to Doris D and the Pins After Funky Town?

After her stint miming for Lipps Inc. and fronting promotional appearances for “Funky Town,” Debbie Jenner didn’t just disappear from the music scene. Far from it — she went on to make her own mark, particularly in the Netherlands, where she was already building a name.

Debbie became the face and voice of Doris D and the Pins, a British-Dutch pop act that blended catchy tunes with eye-catching choreography. Their debut single, Shine Up, became a massive hit in the Netherlands in 1981, topping the charts and turning Debbie and her dancers — the Pins — into local pop stars.

Doris D and the Pins followed up with more singles like Dance On and The Marvelous Marionettes, combining dance-friendly synth-pop with flashy performances that made them a staple on European TV.

While the group’s international fame didn’t match that of “Funky Town,” Debbie’s career flourished in other ways. She became a well-known fitness instructor, releasing popular exercise videos in the 1980s and 90s, and she continued to work in music and media in the Netherlands.

So while Funky Town was just one chapter, Debbie Jenner went on to carve out her own success — proving she was much more than just a face in a video.

Above: Debbie Jenner

Above: Cynthia Johnson

Above:Both versions of Funky Town

Above: Doris D and the Pins. Recognise the tune?