After the enormous commercial success of their 1978 hit "Y.M.C.A." which unexpectedly became the unofficial hymn and powerful advertising tool for the YMCA, the group took on another national institution, the United States Navy. The Navy contacted group manager Henri Belolo to use the song in a recruiting advertising campaign for television and radio. Belolo gave 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 where the Navy provided them with the USS Reasoner (FF-1063) warship, several aircraft, and the crew of the ship (with the stipulation that they couldn't dance). The Navy later canceled the campaign after protests erupted over using taxpayer money for a music video of a controversial group.
In a landmark ruling in 2012, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California ruled that under the Copyright Act of 1976, co-writer Victor Willis (Village People's "Cop"/"Naval officer") can terminate his copyrights to songs written by him and granted to the publishers Can't Stop Productions and Scorpio Music because "a joint author who separately transfers his copyright interest may unilaterally terminate the grant." In The Navy and other hits written by Willis (for Village People and other Can't Stop acts) will revert back to him beginning in 2013. At a minimum, Willis will own (recapture) 33% of his songs; this percentage may increase to 50% if the songs are proved to be written solely by Willis and Jacques Morali, with no contribution from Belolo.
In The Navy
Village People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Learn science technology?
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea?
Where can you learn to fly, play in sports and skin dive
Study oceanography?
Sign off for the big band or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on people, fall an' make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy, oh
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
If you like adventure, don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate, there is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen fast
Maybe you are too young to join up today
But don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on people, fall an' make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy, in the navy
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
Who me?
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
But, but, but, I'm afraid of water
Hey, hey look man
I get seasick even watchin' it on TV
They want you, they want you in the navy
Oh my goodness
They want you
What am I gonna do in a submarine?
They want you
They want you, they want you in the navy
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on people, fall in make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people and make a stand
The lyrics to Village People's song "In The Navy" speak to the idea of joining the navy and the benefits that come with it. The first verse asks where one can find pleasure and adventure, and the answer given is that the navy offers opportunities to travel the world, learn science and technology, pursue dreams, and engage in various activities such as flying, sports, and oceanography. The chorus repeats the refrain "in the navy" three times, emphasizing the idea that this is where one needs to be. The second verse continues to promote the idea of joining the navy, addressing those who may feel hesitant or unsure, and reassuring them that there will always be a good navy protecting the land and sea. The song ends with a humorous exchange in which the would-be recruit expresses his fears about water and submarines, but ultimately succumbs to the call of duty and joins the navy.
Line by Line Meaning
Where can you find pleasure, search the world for treasure
Learn science technology?
Where can you explore the world, explore new knowledge?
Where can you pursue your passions and find success?
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea?
Where can you start building the life you want, on sea or land?
Where can you learn to fly, play in sports and skin dive
Study oceanography?
Where can you develop your skills and interests in flying, sports, diving, and oceanography?
Sign off for the big band or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet
Whether you want to play in the big leagues or cheer from the stands, the navy offers opportunities for both.
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
Joining the navy allows you to see the world and find purpose in serving your country.
Come on people, fall an' make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
The navy needs your help - join the team and make a difference.
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
Join the navy and help defend your country alongside your fellow citizens.
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
The navy is eager to recruit new members.
If you like adventure, don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate, there is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen fast
If you're ready for an exciting and fulfilling adventure, don't wait to join the navy.
Maybe you are too young to join up today
But don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea
If you're not old enough to join the navy yet, there's no need to worry - the navy will always be there to protect your country.
They want you, they want you in the navy
Oh my goodness
They want you
What am I gonna do in a submarine?
The navy really wants you to join, but if you're worried about submarines, there are plenty of other roles to play.
Hey, hey look man
I get seasick even watchin' it on TV
If you get seasick even watching TV, don't worry - the navy has plenty of land-based roles too.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henri Belolo, Jacques Morali, Victor Edward Willis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scottykei5608
"In The Navy"
Where can you find pleasure
Search the world for treasure
Learn science technology
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea
Where can you learn to fly
Play in sports and skin dive
Study oceanography
Sign up for the big band
Or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the mother land
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
If you like adventure
Don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate
There is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen fast
Maybe you are too young
To join up today
Bout don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be
Always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
Who me?
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
But, but, but, I'm afraid of water.
Hey, hey look
Man, I get seasick even watchin' it on the TV!
They want you, they want you in the navy
Oh my goodness.
What am I gonna do in a submarine?
They want you, they want you in the navy
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
@baconbacon6128
Lyrics so you can sing along:
Where can you find pleasure, search the world for treasure
Learn science technology?
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea?
Where can you learn to fly, play in sports and skin dive
Study oceanography?
Sign off for the big band or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on people, fall an' make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy, oh
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
If you like adventure, don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate, there is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen fast
Maybe you are too young to join up today
But don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on people, fall an' make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy, in the navy
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
Who me?
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
But, but, but, I'm afraid of water
Hey, hey look man
I get seasick even watchin' it on TV
They want you, they want you in the navy
Oh my goodness
They want you
What am I gonna do in a submarine?
They want you
They want you, they want you in the navy
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on people, fall in make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people and make a stand
@12goshy
Every year I send this to a random navy recruiter office
@jamesharding3459
You magnificent bastard.
@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245
ANGRY BOOTLICKER REPLY
@samsrocky
iM NOT THE ONLY ONE`11111111111111111111111111111
@prestong515
I just sent this to a navy recruiter 🤣
@12goshy
@@prestong515 good good
@latinhero1818
Now all they need to do is use "It''s raining men" for the paratroopers/airborne.
@allyrhodes6588
latinhero1818 I love it
@luisbohorquez7096
😂😂😂😂 Good one Lol👍
@Sgtturtle22
latinhero1818 love it lol