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.
San Francisco
Village People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(You don't find them finer)
(Freedom), freedom is in the air, yeah
(Searching for what we all treasure: pleasure)
(Cycles), cycles in the night shining bright
(Brightly on nights tell a glory story)
(Leather), leather, leather, leather baby
(Levi's and T's are the best now all right)
Dress the way you please and put your mind at ease
It's a city known for its freedom, (freedom)
Cycles shining bright break the silence of the night
Inhibitions, no, you don't need them, (no),no,(no)
(San Francisco), San Francisco
(San Francisco), City by the Bay yeah
(San Francisco), he he he he hey
(You've got me)
(San Francisco), San Francisco
(San Francisco), take me to the water
(San Francisco), he he he he hey
(You've got me), 'got me got me, baby
(Folsom), Folsom Street on the way to (Polk and Castro)
(You don't find them finer)
(Freedom), Freedom, freedom, freedom
(Searching for what we all treasure: pleasure)
(Cycles), cycles shining bright
(Brightly on nights tell a glory story)
(Disco), Disco, disco party baby
(Music that sets you on fire, higher)
Say what's on your mind and spend a little time
Every gesture there has a meaning, (meaning)
Party 'till the night before the morning light
You may feel your whole body screaming
(San Francisco), San Francisco
(San Francisco), City by the Bay yeah
(San Francisco), he he he he hey
(You've got me) Oh you got me
(San Francisco), San Francisco
(San Francisco), take me to the water
(San Francisco), he he he he hey
(You've got me), got me, got me, got me baby
Got me, got me, got me baby
Say you got me, love ya love you so, well
Here's what I want you to do,
(Take me), take me, take me baby,
(Show me the way) show me the way
(Take me), take me, take me baby,
Hey, Lead me to the water...
(Take me), well well it's you and me yeah
(Show me the way), why don't you show me the way, show me the way, hey
Come on baby, let's get it down, down
Ain't nobody between you and me
Baby baby feel fast and free
Baby baby let's do hot night
Come on baby let's you and me swing
Love the way I please, don't put no chains on me
If you got the time, you can do it,
What I need is love, that's all I'm thinking of
Take me to the Bay, lead me to it, (now) now (now)
(San Francisco), San Francisco
(San Francisco), oh I love ya yeah...
(San Francisco), he he he he hey
(You've got me) Aau Aau
(San Francisco), San Francisco
(San Francisco), City by the Bay y'all
(San Francisco), he he he he hey
(You've got me), got me, got me, got me baby
You've got me, got me, got me, baby
Got me, baby
Here's what I want you to do
Show me, show me the way
Village People’s song “San Francisco” is an anthem to the city that celebrates freedom, pleasure, and the LGBTQIA+ culture. The chorus celebrates the city by the bay's freedom with the repetition of "San Francisco" and "City by the Bay, yeah." The verses capture the liberty of the city’s LGBTQIA+ culture with lyrics about the nightlife, leather, and cycles shining brightly on the streets. The verses about Folsom and Castro are a nod to the city's defining neighborhoods, where LGBTQIA+ culture has thrived for decades. The song encourages people to dress the way they want, to break free from inhibitions, and to party until dawn. The lyrics accentuate the uniqueness of the city and underscore its powerful message of inclusivity.
Line by Line Meaning
(Folsom), Folsom Street, on the way to (Polk and Castro)
We are on Folsom Street and heading towards Polk and Castro
(You don't find them finer)
These streets are top-notch, they cannot be beaten
(Freedom), freedom is in the air, yeah
We feel free and liberated here in San Francisco
(Searching for what we all treasure: pleasure)
We are looking for pleasure and happiness
(Cycles), cycles in the night shining bright
There are bicycles glowing brightly in the darkness
(Brightly on nights tell a glory story)
The glowing bicycles tell their own amazing story
(Leather), leather, leather, leather baby
We adore leather clothing and accessories
(Levi's and T's are the best now all right)
We think Levi's jeans and T-shirts are fantastic
(San Francisco), San Francisco
We are singing about the city of San Francisco
(San Francisco), City by the Bay yeah
San Francisco is a city located by the bay area
(San Francisco), he he he he hey
We are excited and happy about San Francisco
(You've got me)
San Francisco has captured our hearts
(San Francisco), take me to the water
We want to be taken to the bay area by San Francisco
(Got me got me, baby)
We are enamored by the city
(Disco), Disco, disco party baby
We are at a disco party and enjoying the experience
(Music that sets you on fire, higher)
The music is intense and amazing, making us feel incredible
(Say what's on your mind and spend a little time)
Speak your thoughts and enjoy the moment
(Every gesture there has a meaning, meaning)
Everything we do has a significance and meaning
(Party 'till the night before the morning light)
We will keep partying all night until the morning light
(You may feel your whole body screaming)
We are so exhilarated that we might start shouting with joy
(Take me), take me, take me baby
Take me to the bay, please
(Show me the way) show me the way
Help me find my way to the bay
(Come on baby, let's get it down, down)
Let's get down and party
(Ain't nobody between you and me)
It's just you and me, no one else is important
(Baby baby feel fast and free)
We feel quick and free-spirited
(Love the way I please, don't put no chains on me)
We love being ourselves and not restrained by societal expectations
(What I need is love, that's all I'm thinking of)
All we need is love in our lives
(Take me to the Bay, lead me to it, (now) now (now))
We want to go to the bay, right now
(Oh you got me)
San Francisco has mesmerized us
(You've got me) Aau Aau
We are entranced by San Francisco
(San Francisco), oh I love ya yeah...
We really love San Francisco
(City by the Bay y'all)
San Francisco is the city by the bay
(got me, got me, got me, baby)
San Francisco has captured our hearts
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: VANESSA CARLTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve Chabalik
A masterpiece. And Victor Willis was a GREAT Lead Singer!
Mariea Luminosa
Absolutely my favorite song from them. I have the chills listening to this while I dance in my computer chair. I seriously miss those days of going clubbing. I lived for dancing!
Al P
Amen my sister. I was 18 when this came out. Dancing at the local disco.
Jeannine Galloway
Yup
Cuencalandia
This is the true disco sound, before Saturday Night Fever was able to shape the public mind as to what disco actually was. A true musical classic.
Russ Wood
I disagree. I think Soul Makossa created the sound that was massaged into the "true" disco sound.
MelodyMaker151
I remember the first time I heard this as a 12 -year-old kid in 1991 ... it sounded so fresh and exciting. It still makes me smile!
Punky Bratster
I still adore Disco Music.
it’s 9-2-22 I’m still hooked.😆👍🏼
Bring the music & dancing BACK!
atrocchia
You are not alone.
Galen Marek
The raw energy of San Francisco and the party time atmosphere In Hollywood makes this my favorite VP album…..