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.
YMCA
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 Y.M.C.A
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
They have everything for young men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can do what ever 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 Y.M.C.A
I'm sure they can help you today
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
They have everything for young men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can do what ever 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
It's a place there called the Y.M.C.A
They can start you back on your way
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
They have everything for young men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys
Y.M.C.A, it's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
Young man, young man, there's no need to feel down
Young man, young man, pick yourself off the ground
Y.M.C.A, you'll find it at the Y.M.C.A
No man, young man, does it all by himself
Young man, young man, put your pride on the shelf
Y.M.C.A and just go to the
The Village People's song YMCA can be interpreted in different ways depending on one's perspective. On one hand, the song may be seen as an anthem for the Young Men's Christian Association, popularly known as the YMCA. The lyrics encourage young men to seek help from the YMCA when they are in need, whether it's a place to stay when they are short on cash, a way to meet other young men, or guidance to achieve their dreams. The song highlights the camaraderie and support that can be found in the YMCA community.
On the other hand, the song can also be seen as a celebration of gay male culture. The YMCA was a popular gay cruising spot in the 1970s, and the Village People were known to be gay icons. The lyrics can be interpreted as a coded invitation for gay men to seek out the YMCA as a safe haven where they can meet other men and enjoy themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination. The catchy chorus and dance moves associated with the song have made it a staple of party playlists and sporting events, where people of all backgrounds and orientations can come together and celebrate.
Line by Line Meaning
Young man, there's no need to feel down
Don't be sad, young man.
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground
Get up and be positive, young man.
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town
You're in a new place now, young man.
There's no need to be unhappy
You don't have to be unhappy.
Young man, there's a place you can go
There's a place you can visit, young man.
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough
When you don't have much money, young man.
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
You can stay there and I'm confident you'll discover.
Many ways to have a good time
Plenty of ways to enjoy yourself.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
It's enjoyable to reside at YMCA.
They have everything for young men to enjoy
YMCA provides everything young men need to have fun.
You can hang out with all the boys
You can spend time with all your male friends.
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can shower and have a good meal.
You can do what ever you feel
You can do whatever you want.
Young man, are you listening to me?
Young man, are you paying attention to what I'm saying?
I said, young man, what do you want to be?
Young man, what do you want to become?
I said, young man, you can make real your dreams
Young man, you can make your dreams come true.
But you got to know this one thing
But you have to understand this one thing.
No man does it all by himself
No one can achieve everything alone.
I said, young man, put your pride on the shelf
Young man, forget your ego for a while.
And just go there, to the Y.M.C.A
Just visit YMCA.
I'm sure they can help you today
I'm confident they can assist you now.
Young man, I was once in your shoes
Young man, I was once in your position.
I said, I was down and out with the blues
I was sad and depressed at that time.
I felt no man cared if I were alive
I thought no one cared if I lived or died.
I felt the whole world was so tight
I perceived the world to be so restrictive.
That's when someone came up to me
Then someone approached me.
And said, young man, take a walk up the street
And said, young man, walk up the street.
It's a place there called the Y.M.C.A
There's a place up there called YMCA.
They can start you back on your way
They can help you get back on track.
Y.M.C.A, you'll find it at the Y.M.C.A
You can find YMCA at YMCA.
No man, young man, does it all by himself
No one can do everything on their own.
Young man, young man, put your pride on the shelf
Young man, forget your pride for a while.
Y.M.C.A and just go to the
Visit YMCA.
Y.M.C.A
YMCA.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
It's enjoyable to reside at YMCA.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
It's enjoyable to reside at YMCA.
They have everything for young men to enjoy
YMCA provides everything young men need to have fun.
You can hang out with all the boys
You can spend time with all your male friends.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
It's enjoyable to reside at YMCA.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A
It's enjoyable to reside at YMCA.
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can shower and have a good meal.
You can do what ever you feel
You can do whatever you want.
Young man, young man, there's no need to feel down
Young man, don't be sad.
Young man, young man, pick yourself off the ground
Young man, be positive and get up.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Henri Belolo, Jacques Morali, Victor Edward Willis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frog-hj5fq
You shall not take the lord name in vain.
A synonym for "In vain" would be "Useless"
Or.
"Fruitless"
So let's say your friend tells a joke and you laugh.
And you say "Omg" now did you need god for that?
You can't swear to god because his name is holy.
Only say his name.
To pray.
Praise.
Bless.
Or for his glory.
@davestone3876
So, a cowboy, policeman, construction worker, native american, soldier and a biker walk into a bar.....
YMCA is born! Still a classic
@annabelej8021
They walk into a bar..????…. 🤔You mean they come into the leather club - The Ramrod 2:36
@davestone3876
@@annabelej8021 I never said what kind of bar 🤔
@aum1083
a cowboy, policeman, construction worker, native american, soldier and a biker walk into a bar.....
yeah, this song is quite gay.
@debbiebyer5993
YMCA stands for young men’s christian association
@Eandeavour
TRUMP FOREVER 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@swiftyunknown
I know someone who had to do community service at the YMCA.
He started going there regularly afterwords.
Literally changed his life.
@Alonso-te7id
Swifty Unknown wow! Swiftly hello!
Love you vids broooo
@budgetmicro5387
Lol it's you!
@antitdelossantos3523
YMCA means Young Men's Cool Area