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.
Sophistication
Village People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not too impressed about what I've seen, you're wastin' your precious time starin' at me
You try to look mysterious but it ain't no big deal
So one more time to tell you that it's got to be real
(Who-who) who drives a foreign car-ar, (who-who) who thinks that he's a star
(Who-who) who takes their game too far, who needs some sophistication
Halter neck Gucci, can take your life so far
You're not half the man that you think you are
Tell me (who-who) who has an attitude
Tell me (who-who) who's wearin' lots of jewels
I want to know (who-who) who's sometimes very crude
Who needs some sophistication
Who came into see them when you're not away
Everytime you turn around (what-what-what)
What you think you see-ee (what you think you see)
Ahh, was a Vegas scene, no-oh, it really isn't there
(Who-who) Who's living in the past, I wanna know
(Who-who), who's moving much too fast, is it you
(Who-who) who needs to find some class, who needs some sophistication
I'm not hard to please but your act is so unreal
And I hope you don't mind hearin' about how I feel
Take a look in the mirror 'cause the mirror won't conceal
Somethin' ain't ri-ight, you don't want to reveal
Tell me (who-who), who's gonna be your friend
I Wanna know-ow (who-who) when all the good times end
(Who-who) who needs to look okay, who needs some sophistication
Ah tell me, (who-who) who has a lot to learn (is it you), (who-who) as far as I'm concerned
Tell me (who-who) who's gonna end up burned, who needs some sophistication
The Village People's song "Sophistication" is a commentary on the excessive and superficial nature of the entertainment industry. The lyrics are directed towards a person who is trying too hard to appear glamorous and sophisticated, but is ultimately failing to live up to those standards. The first verse dismisses the person's attempts at mystery and superstar status, pointing out that they are wasting their time.
The chorus asks several questions, each one poking fun at the person's extravagance and lack of refinement. The second verse goes even further, criticizing the person's clothing choices and attitude. The bridge questions the person's reality, highlighting the idea that what they are trying to portray is not actually achievable or real.
The overall message of the song suggests that true sophistication comes from a genuine sense of self, rather than trying to conform to a certain image or lifestyle. It encourages the listener to look beyond material possessions and appearances and focus on developing inner qualities such as authenticity and class.
Line by Line Meaning
(Who-who) who do you think you are-are, (who-who) looks like a superstar
I haven't been impressed by you and your superstar image isn't affecting me
I'm not too impressed about what I've seen, you're wastin' your precious time starin' at me
I'm unimpressed with your act and think you should be using your time more wisely than staring at me
You try to look mysterious but it ain't no big deal
Your attempts at being enigmatic aren't impressive or significant
So one more time to tell you that it's got to be real
Let me reiterate that authenticity is essential
(Who-who) who drives a foreign car-ar, (who-who) who thinks that he's a star
Who is driving a fancy car and thinking they're a big shot
(Who-who) who takes their game too far, who needs some sophistication
Who is overdoing it and needs to up their sophistication
You wear-ear (funny clothes) funny clothes, but that's as far as it goes
Your odd clothes are the only thing unusual about you
Halter neck Gucci, can take your life so far
Designer clothes like Gucci can only get you so far in life
You're not half the man that you think you are
You're not as impressive or important as you believe yourself to be
Tell me (who-who) who has an attitude
Who has an inflated sense of self and an unpleasant disposition
Tell me (who-who) who's wearin' lots of jewels
Who is wearing lots of expensive jewelry
I want to know (who-who) who's sometimes very crude
I'm curious who is occasionally rude or vulgar
Who needs some sophistication
Someone needs to improve their sense of class and refinement
Who came into see them when you're not away
Who came to see them when you weren't there
Everytime you turn around (what-what-what)
Whenever you look away
What you think you see-ee (what you think you see)
What you believe you're observing
Ahh, was a Vegas scene, no-oh, it really isn't there
What you thought was a flashy, glitzy image isn't actually present
(Who-who) Who's living in the past, I wanna know
Who is stuck in outdated ways and habits
(Who-who), who's moving much too fast, is it you
Who is rushing too quickly through life, could it be you?
(Who-who) who needs to find some class, who needs some sophistication
Who needs to improve their sense of politeness, refinement, and elegance
I'm not hard to please but your act is so unreal
I'm easily impressed but your behavior is phony and contrived
And I hope you don't mind hearin' about how I feel
I hope you don't take offense at me sharing my opinions
Take a look in the mirror 'cause the mirror won't conceal
Examine yourself in the mirror because it will reveal the truth
Somethin' ain't ri-ight, you don't want to reveal
Something isn't correct and you're hesitant to confess
Tell me (who-who), who's gonna be your friend
Who will be your companion and confidante
I Wanna know-ow (who-who) when all the good times end
I'd like to find out who will be with you when things go sour
(Who-who) who needs to look okay, who needs some sophistication
Who needs to improve their appearance and display some manners
Ah tell me, (who-who) who has a lot to learn (is it you),
Who still needs to enhance their understanding and knowledge
(who-who) as far as I'm concerned
In my opinion
Tell me (who-who) who's gonna end up burned, who needs some sophistication
Who will experience failure or harm due to their inappropriate behavior and lacking refinement
Contributed by Natalie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.