Although most people at the time thought "Whip It" was about masturbation or sadomasochism, it was not. But Devo used these sexual themes for an accompanying music video anyways. The video is set on a ranch where cowboys and cowgirls are watching a member of the band whip the clothing off of a cigarette-smoking woman.
The name Devo comes from the concept of "de-evolution" and the band's idea that instead of continuing to evolve, mankind had begun to regress. Devo in their early years played dissonant songs using synthetic instrumentation and time signatures. They were incredibly influential in the history of music, particularly for new wave, industrial, and alternative rock artists. They are most known for their song "Whip It!" and funky stage outfits, featuring the iconic "Energy Dome" hats.