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.
Fire Island
Village People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
It's the place where you'll find me, the sun and sea, the place where love is free, yeah
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
You never know just who you meet, maybe someone out of your wildest fantasies, yeah
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
Don't go in the bushes, someone might grab ya, someone might grab ya
Don't go in the bushes, don't go, don't go in the bushes
Don't go in the bushes, someone might stab ya, someone might stab ya, yeah
Don't go in the bushes, no, someone might grab ya, someone might grab ya
Don't go in the bushes, someone might stab ya, someone might stab ya
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
Sea, plane or train will take you there-ere, it's a paradi-ise, there's also bus or cab, yeah
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
We can scream, but let's sing, we can do each other's thi-ing, yeah
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
Don't go in the bushes, don't go in the bushes, no
Don't go in the bushes, someone might grab ya, someone might grab ya
Don't go in the bushes, don't go - in the bushes
Don't go in the bushes, someone might stab ya, yeah-eah
Groove at the Ice Palace (get on down at the Monster)
Been there, been there (been there at the Blue Whale)
Peckin', I'm peckin (peckin' at the Sandpiper)
Pumpin, I'm pumpin (pumpin' at the hotel)
(Fire island, fire island) I'll take your hand (fire island) you take mine
We'll hit the groove (fire island) and really shake the times
There's a house (fire island) on your back
Boogie on down (fire island) follow me back
(Fire island, fire island) I'll take your hand (fire island) you take mine
We'll hit the groove (fire island) and really shake the times
There's a house (fire island) on your back
Boogie on down (fire island) follow me back
The song "Fire Island" by Village People is a tribute to the popular vacation spot in New York, which is known for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, and renowned gay culture. The lyrics describe the various ways to get to the island and the exciting activities that are waiting for you there. It’s the kind of place where the sun and sea are always shining, and where love is free. The song is a celebration of freedom, sexuality, and self-expression.
However, the song also has a dark side. The lyrics warn against going into the bushes, as someone might grab or even stab you. This is a nod to the fact that Fire Island was once notorious for being a place where gay men were targeted and attacked by homophobic individuals. Despite the risks, the song encourages people to be themselves and to let loose, to dance and to have fun.
Overall, "Fire Island" is a joyful anthem that captures the spirit of the island and the LGBTQ community that has made it their own. It’s a time capsule of a moment in history when people were fighting for their rights and expressing themselves through music, dance, and fashion.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire isla-and (fire, fire island) - it's a funky weekend (funky) a funky funky weeke-end
Come to Fire Island for a fun and funky weekend!
It's the place where you'll find me, the sun and sea, the place where love is free, yeah
Fire Island is where I go for sun, sea, and romance without any restrictions.
You never know just who you meet, maybe someone out of your wildest fantasies, yeah
Fire Island is full of surprises, and you might meet someone who fulfills your wildest fantasies.
Don't go in the bushes, don't go in the bushes
Stay away from the bushes on Fire Island, as you might encounter some danger.
someone might grab ya, someone might grab ya
There is a risk of getting grabbed by someone dangerous.
Don't go in the bushes, someone might stab ya, someone might stab ya, yeah
Entering the bushes on Fire Island could put you in danger of getting stabbed.
Sea, plane or train will take you there-ere, it's a paradi-ise, there's also bus or cab, yeah
Fire Island is easy to reach by land, air, or sea, and it's a paradise. You can even take a bus or cab!
We can scream, but let's sing, we can do each other's thi-ing, yeah
We can have fun and sing instead of screaming. We can also learn from each other and try new things on Fire Island!
Groove at the Ice Palace (get on down at the Monster)
Two of the hot spots on Fire Island are the Ice Palace and the Monster, where you can groove and have fun.
Been there, been there (been there at the Blue Whale)
I've been to Fire Island and have experienced the excitement of places like the Blue Whale.
Peckin', I'm peckin (peckin' at the Sandpiper)
I'm checking out the scene at the Sandpiper on Fire Island.
Pumpin, I'm pumpin (pumpin' at the hotel)
I'm dancing and having a great time at the hotel on Fire Island.
(Fire island, fire island) I'll take your hand (fire island) you take mine
Let's go to Fire Island together.
We'll hit the groove (fire island) and really shake the times
We'll have a great time dancing and listening to music on Fire Island.
There's a house (fire island) on your back
Don't worry about anything else and just focus on the fun you'll have on Fire Island.
Boogie on down (fire island) follow me back
Let's dance and have fun together on Fire Island.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BEAURIS WHITEHEAD, HENRI BELOLO, JACQUES MORALI, PHILLIP L HURTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind