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 Ćrzte.
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.
Y.M.C.A
Village People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town
There's no need to be unhappy
Young man, there's a place you can go
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
They have everything for you men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can do what about you feel
Young man, are you listening to me?
I said, young man, what do you want to be?
I said, young man, you can make real your dreams
But you got to know this one thing
No man does it all by himself
I said, young man, put your pride on the shelf
And just go there, to the YMCA
I'm sure they can help you today
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
They have everything for you men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can do what about you feel
Young man, I was once in your shoes
I said, I was down and out with the blues
I felt no man cared if I were alive
I felt the whole world was so tight
That's when someone came up to me
And said, young man, take a walk up the street
There's a place there called the YMCA
They can start you back on your way
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
They have everything for you men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys
YMCA you'll find it at the YMCA
Young man, young man, there's no need to feel down
Young man, young man, pick yourself off the ground
YMCA, it's fun to stay at the YMCA
Young man, young man, are you listening to me
Young man, young man, what do you wanna be?
YMCA, you'll find it YMCA
No man, young man, does it all by himself
Young man, young man, put your pride on the shelf
YMCA, and just go to the YMCA
Young man, young man I was once in your shoes
Young man, young man I was down with the blues, YMCA
The Village People's song, YMCA, is a disco classic that has become a cultural phenomenon. The song encourages young men to join the YMCA, where they can find everything they need to have fun and pursue their dreams in a new town. The singer urges the young man to put aside his troubles and embrace the YMCA experience, where he can hang out with other guys, get clean, and have a good meal. The lyrics celebrate the YMCA as a place where young men can find community, support, and self-confidence.
The song has been interpreted in different ways over the years, with some people seeing it as a gay anthem, while others view it as a harmless party song. The Village People themselves have said that the song is about finding community and belonging, regardless of one's sexual orientation. Whatever the interpretation, YMCA remains one of the most beloved disco songs of all time, with its catchy chorus and lively dance beat.
Line by Line Meaning
Young man, there's no need to feel down
Don't be sad or depressed, my young friend
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground
Get up and don't let your failures hold you down
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town
You're probably feeling lost in this unfamiliar place
There's no need to be unhappy
Don't worry, things will get better
Young man, there's a place you can go
There's a specific spot where you can find help
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough
When you're broke and have no money
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
If you stay there, you'll discover many enjoyable activities
Many ways to have a good time
You'll have loads of fun
They have everything for you men to enjoy
The place is fully equipped for men's enjoyment
You can hang out with all the boys
You can socialize with other men
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can take a shower and eat a satisfying meal
You can do what about you feel
You can do anything you want to do
Young man, are you listening to me?
I want to make sure you're paying attention
I said, young man, what do you want to be?
What are your aspirations?
I said, young man, you can make real your dreams
You can make your dreams come true
But you got to know this one thing
However, you must realize something important
No man does it all by himself
No one succeeds on their own
I said, young man, put your pride on the shelf
Don't be too proud to accept help
And just go there, to the YMCA
Go to the YMCA for assistance
I'm sure they can help you today
I am positive they can provide you with aid
Young man, I was once in your shoes
I understand what you're going through
I said, I was down and out with the blues
I was feeling hopeless and sad
I felt no man cared if I were alive
I thought nobody cared about my existence
I felt the whole world was so tight
I thought the world was too constricting
That's when someone came up to me
That's when somebody approached me
And said, young man, take a walk up the street
And told me to go for a stroll up the road
There's a place there called the YMCA
There's a spot named YMCA there
They can start you back on your way
They can help you get back on track
YMCA, you'll find it at the YMCA
The YMCA is where YMCA can be found
Young man, young man, there's no need to feel down
Don't let sadness consume you, young man
YMCA, it's fun to stay at the YMCA
It's enjoyable to reside at the YMCA
Young man, young man, are you listening to me
Are you paying attention to me, young man?
Young man, young man, what do you wanna be?
What are your ambitions, young man?
YMCA, you'll find it YMCA
YMCA is where you can locate the YMCA
No man, young man, does it all by himself
No man can achieve it all alone
Young man, young man, put your pride on the shelf
Abandon your dignity and accept help, young man
YMCA, and just go to the YMCA
Just go to the YMCA for help
Young man, young man I was once in your shoes
I was once in your exact position, young man
Young man, young man I was down with the blues, YMCA
I was feeling distraught, young man, but then I visited the YMCA
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jacques Morali, Victor Edward Willis, Henri Belolo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yanxi8279
Me: trying to study
My mind: Y M C A
@chuakem4591
Joke on you cause i play this song while studying
@mooniesjaja7074
Literally every student XD
@vecchioutente
Hey that's me
@sha9443
Lol my exam's in an hour.. n i haven't yet finished my lesson nd im listening to this cz my lesson had ymca in itš
@yanxi8279
@@sha9443 lmao
@anobsessedrangersfan_21
1978 - Amazing Song
2023 - Still Amazing!
@ipeter8774
9days after ur post....still amazing
@rengoku_rov9557
1 hours aster posting
@ipeter8774
@@rengoku_rov9557 haha