The Village People’s YMCA

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The Village People’s YMCA

The Village People's Y.M.C.A.

Disco Classics

The song was written by group members Jacques Morali and Victor Willis. It was released on their 1978 album Cruisin’ and as a single back with “The Women.”  It was a major international hit, being one of 40 singles that sold 10 million or more physical copies worldwide. The happy, upbeat message of this disco classic is to young men, telling them that they can go to a new city to seek their fortune and the Y.M.C.A. will be there to help them get grounded. The song is often still played at sporting events in the U.S. and Europe, often with the crowd spelling out the four letters of the title with their arms.

In 1978-79, the song topped the charts in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K. It went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Billboard Hot Disco Singles charts. It was #2 in Norway , #3 in France and South Africa, and #4 in Spain. Wow.

The Village People were formed in New York City in 1977. It was the creation of French composer Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo. They were speaking to the gay and fantasy-loving audience at the discos. The first album Village People  was released in 1977 and had success. They were asked to perform at clubs and on American Bandstand. So they recruited folks and had them portray different personae — Native Americans, construction workers, cowboys, police officers, athletes, solders, etc. On “Y.M.C.A.” were Victor Willis (vocals), Russell Dabney (drums), Alfonso Carey (bass), Jimmy Lee (guitar),  Rodger Lee (rhythm guitar), Nathanial Wilkie (Fender Rhodes , clavinet), and Bitter Sweet (hand claps). The group The Village People continue to tour and perform internationally.

Here are the lyrics to “Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People:

Young man, there’s no need to feel down
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
Many ways to have a good time

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 whatever  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 whatever 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 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

For More 70s Tunes

The System has daily featured music from all sorts of genres of 1970s music. You’re welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections in The System. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed “Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People.

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