The band was assembled in 1977 and managed by two French musicians, Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo, specifically to showcase and perform their disco music creations. Much like Frank Farian's Boney M. or Spice Girls, the group was manufactured. Despite the French song writers, the songs were all in English.
The band's name references a well-known gay area of New York City, Greenwich Village. Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo got the inspiration for creating an assembly of American man archetypes based on the gay men of the Village who frequently dressed in various fantasy ways. The police officer character is said to have been inspired by an actual Sacramento County (California) Sheriff's Deputy - David Orth.
The United States Navy considered using the Village People hit "In the Navy" in a recruiting advertising campaign on television and radio. They contacted Belolo, who decided to give the rights for free on the condition that the Navy help them shoot the music video. Less than a month later, Village People arrived at the San Diego Naval base. The Navy provided them with a war ship, several airplanes, and hundreds of Navy men. When the video started showing and the Navy started the planned ad campaign, some newspapers protested using taxpayer money to fund music videos (especially for a group considered by some to be "morally dubious"). The Navy quickly cancelled the campaign. The scandal tremendously boosted the popularity of the song.
Other hits include their trademark "Macho Man", "Go West", and "YMCA". More than twenty years later, a dance that involves forming the latter four letters with the dancer's arms and legs is still popular at summer camps, office functions, wedding receptions, school dances, sporting events and B'nai Mitzvahs. In the middle of the seventh inning of each baseball game at Yankee Stadium, the grounds crew take an on-field break from grooming the infield to dance as "YMCA" is played, typically to enthusiastic cheers from the fans.
An interesting fact about the Village People recordings is that all of the background vocals for their best known recordings where provided by 2 session musicians who went on to front notable bands; Bill Champlin from Chicago, and Richard Page (musician) from Mr. Mister.
The group also appeared in their 1980 feature film Can't Stop the Music, directed by Nancy Walker, written by Allan Carr and Bronte Woodard, music and lyrics by Jacques Morali and starring Steve Guttenberg, Valerie Perrine, Bruce Jenner, and Village People. The movie "won" the Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay prizes at the 1980 Golden Raspberry Awards in March 1981 and was nominated in almost all the other categories.
In 1981, with the popularity of disco waning and New Wave music on the rise, Village People replaced their on-stage costumes with a new look inspired by the New Romantic movement, and released the New Wave album Renaissance; it was not a commercial success.Victor Willis returned to the group briefly in late 1981 for the album Fox on the Box, which was released in 1982 only in Europe but did have limited release in the United States in 1983 under the title In the Street. Miles Jaye had briefly taken over for Ray Simpson as lead singer by 1983 and contributed an extra track to In the Street. Mark Lee replaced David Hodo in 1982.
Their last album containing new material, the 1985 dance/Hi-NRG release Sex Over the Phone, was not a huge commercial success, but it fared better in sales and club play than their Renaissance album. The title track, when released as a single, was banned by the BBC because of its content - credit card dirty phone calls. The Sex album featured yet another new lead singer, Ray Stephens (of The Great Space Coaster fame). Py Douglas came in to sub for Stephens for some of the group's live appearances in 1985.
In 1985, the group took a hiatus but reunited in 1987 with the line-up of Randy Jones, David Hodo, Felipe Rose, Glenn Hughes, Alex Briley and Ray Simpson.
Since 1988, the group has managed itself under the name Sixuvus Ltd.
In 1994, the Village People joined the German national soccer team to sing its official World Cup '94 theme, "Far Away in America."
Starting in 2004, Village People performed as the opening act for Cher in her Farewell Tour until it ended in April 2005.
From July 18th to July 20th, 2004, Village People performed in Berlin for three shows as an opening act for the German punk band Die Ärzte.
On May 8, 2012, Victor Willis wins a landmark ruling in the first case heard regarding the Copyright Act of 1976 which allows recording artists and writers to reclaim their master recordings and publishing rights initially granted to record companies and publishers after 35 years.
In April 2013, Village People recorded "Let's Go Back To The Dance Floor" -- a song written by Harry Wayne Casey (KC & The Sunshine Band) and produced by DJ Julian Marsh.
5 O'Clock in the Morning
Village People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I wander in the streets alone
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city is awaking
I don't wanna go to sleep alone
And now I feel like such a fool because I've broken all the rules
And I hurt the one who loves me, when I just turned and walked away
There wasn't much that you could say except to say you really loved me
It's five o'clock in the morning, my mind's gettin' weary
As I walk the lonely street again
It's five o'clock in the morning and I feel very sorry
'Cause your love I'll never be again
I guess I'm gonna have to face that I just couldn't run the race
I always thought I was a winner
When your love I'm gonna lose, it makes it easier to choose
Because I'm not a good beginner
Woh baby (baby), I need your love, oh baby (baby), I want your love
Oh baby (baby), bring back your love, oh baby, oh baby, oh
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city is so silent
Can't you hear the lonely beat of my heart
It's five o'clock in the morning, this feeling is so helpless
I can't stop the lonely beat in my heart
Well I don't know what I should do, so I'll leave it up to you
Maybe some day you'll forgive me
So until then I'll play the part of a man with a broken heart
And hope someday you will free me
Oh baby (baby), I need your love, oh baby (baby), I want your love
Oh baby (baby), bring back your love, oh baby, oh baby, oh
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city seems so empty
As I wander in the streets alone
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city is awaking
I don't wanna go to sleep alone
It
The song "5 O'Clock in the Morning" by the Village People is a melancholic ballad about loneliness and heartbreak. The singer sings about walking the empty streets of the city at 5 AM feeling sorry for hurting the one who loves him and knowing that he will never be loved by them again. He regrets breaking all the rules and the pain that he has caused. He is torn apart and feels helpless as he can't stop the lonely beat in his heart. He hopes for forgiveness and for his broken heart to be freed.
The song is a departure from the disco music that the Village People are known for. It is a slow-tempo ballad with a heavy use of piano and string arrangements. Randy Jones, the Cowboy, is the lead vocalist on this track. Jones delivers a heartfelt and emotional performance that contrasts with the group's usual campy and fun style.
The lyrics and the music of "5 O'Clock in the Morning" are reminiscent of the soft rock and power ballads of the late 70s and early 80s. The song was released in 1981, at the peak of the power ballad era. The Village People's attempt at a serious, heartfelt ballad was not well-received by critics, who felt that it was out of character for the group. However, the song found a following among the fans of soft rock and power ballads.
Line by Line Meaning
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city seems so empty
It's early in the morning and the city is quiet and deserted.
As I wander in the streets alone
I am walking around the empty streets by myself.
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city is awaking
The city is starting to wake up and become busy.
I don't wanna go to sleep alone
I am feeling lonely and don't want to go to sleep by myself.
And now I feel like such a fool because I've broken all the rules
I regret my actions because I have gone against what I know is right.
And I hurt the one who loves me, when I just turned and walked away
I caused pain to someone who cares for me when I chose to leave them abruptly.
There wasn't much that you could say except to say you really loved me
The person I hurt didn't have much to say except to express their love for me.
It's five o'clock in the morning, my mind's gettin' weary
I am becoming mentally tired as it is early in the morning.
As I walk the lonely street again
I am walking down the same empty street as before and feeling lonely.
It's five o'clock in the morning and I feel very sorry
I am remorseful and regretful as it is early in the morning.
'Cause your love I'll never be again
I know that I have lost the love of someone and will never have it again.
I guess I'm gonna have to face that I just couldn't run the race
I have to accept that I failed at something and couldn't keep up.
I always thought I was a winner
I used to believe that I was always successful at everything.
When your love I'm gonna lose, it makes it easier to choose
Knowing I will lose someone's love makes my decision easier to leave them.
Because I'm not a good beginner
I am not good at starting new things or relationships.
Woh baby (baby), I need your love, oh baby (baby), I want your love
I am expressing my desire and need for someone's love and attention.
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city is so silent
The city is completely quiet and still because it is so early in the morning.
Can't you hear the lonely beat of my heart
I am feeling lonely and sad, and my heart is hurting.
This feeling is so helpless
I feel powerless and unable to change my current situation.
I can't stop the lonely beat in my heart
I cannot control the sadness and longing I feel in my heart.
Well I don't know what I should do, so I'll leave it up to you
I am unsure of what to do next, so I am leaving the decision up to someone else.
Maybe some day you'll forgive me
I am hoping that someday the person I hurt will be able to forgive me.
So until then I'll play the part of a man with a broken heart
Until I am forgiven, I will act as if my heart is broken.
And hope someday you will free me
I am hoping that eventually I will be released from the guilt and remorse I am feeling.
Oh baby (baby), I need your love, oh baby (baby), I want your love
I am still expressing my desire for someone's love and affection.
Oh baby (baby), bring back your love, oh baby, oh baby, oh
I am pleading for someone to bring back their love and affection.
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city seems so empty
The early morning hours make the city appear deserted and lonely.
As I wander in the streets alone
I am still walking by myself down the same empty streets.
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city is awaking
The sun is rising and the city is starting to become more active and lively.
I don't wanna go to sleep alone
I am still feeling lonely and longing for companionship as I head to bed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DENNIS HARDY FREDERIKSEN, GERALD EUGENE HUNTER, HENRI BELOLO, HOWARD NORMAN EPSTEIN, JACQUES MORALI, MARK CHRISTIAN MAIERHOFFER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vinnie B
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city seems so empty
As I wander in the streets alone
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city is awaking
I don't wanna go to sleep alone
And now I feel like such a fool because I've broken all the rules
And I hurt the one who loves me, when I just turned and walked away
There wasn't much that you could say except to say you really loved me
It's five o'clock in the morning, my mind's gettin' weary
As I walk the lonely street again
It's five o'clock in the morning and I feel very sorry
'Cause your love I'll never be again
I guess I'm gonna have to face that I just couldn't run the race
I always thought I was a winner
When your love I'm gonna lose, it makes it easier to choose
Because I'm not a good beginner
Woh baby (baby), I need your love, oh baby (baby), I want your love
Oh baby (baby), bring back your love, oh baby, oh baby, oh
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city is so silent
Can't you hear the lonely beat of my heart
It's five o'clock in the morning, this feeling is so helpless
I can't stop the lonely beat in my heart
Well I don't know what I should do, so I'll leave it up to you
Maybe some day you'll forgive me
So until then I'll play the part of a man with a broken heart
And hope someday you will free me
Oh baby (baby), I need your love, oh baby (baby), I want your love
Oh baby (baby), bring back your love, oh baby, oh baby, oh
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city seems so empty
As I wander in the streets alone
It's five o'clock in the morning, the city is awaking
I don't wanna go to sleep alone
It
Markenada 63
Il brano è veramente perfetto, arrangiamento melodia voce solista. Pezzo ancora attuale e moderno. A dimostrazione che quando una cosa fatta bene dura tanto tempo. Molto di più di quello che ti aspetti!! Comunque bravisimi.
David Need
Parliamo sempre di MITI
Annarita Ranalli
Bella la batteria e soprattutto le 🎸
Hillers62
When I first saw this album (being a Village People fan) I was repulsed...they changed their music ...20 years later, I finally listened to the album...and I was captivated...they had evolved to a new sound that was hypnotic...now I love this album...
Eric Johnson
yeah that happens with age.
284mbp
The 80s hit the Village People like a ton of bricks.
Eric Rainey
But, but they said they were ready for the 80s😂😂😂
Guido DF
Uno dei più belli brani dei People! Provate a guidare di notte con il sottofondo musicale di questa canzone, stupendo!
rosa pitarresi
Verissimo
Emil Pianoman
Si vero fantastico pezzo, la chitarra iniziale in palm mute è da brividi, interpretazione vocale top del top