Village People

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
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

[Chorus]
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 whatever you feel

[Verse 2]
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've 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
[Chorus]
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 whatever you feel

[Verse 3]
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 jive
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"

[Chorus]
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
[Post-Chorus]
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, get yourself off the ground

[Instrumental Break]

[Outro]
Y.M.C.A., it's fun to stay at the
Y.M.C.A. 
Young man, young man, are you listening to me?
Young man, young man, what do you wanna be?
Y.M.C.A., you'll find it at the
Y.M.C.A. 
No man, no 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
Y.M.C.A. 
Young man, young man, I was once in your shoes
Young man, young man, I was down with the blues
Y.M.C.A., it's fun to stay at the

Y.M.C.A. by Village People is an iconic song that was released in 1978 as the opening track and lead single of their album named Cruisin'. Over the years, the Y.M.C.A. song has become a classic anthem played across the world in a variety of settings. Regardless of whether you're dancing at a club or participating in a game or sport, the tune of this song is sure to keep you hyped! It has a rich backstory that adds to its context, making it a unique addition to the lineup of most music lovers.

About Y.M.C.A.

The song Y.M.C.A. was created by the Village People, an American disco group formed in the late 1970s. The song appears to be expressing the virtues of the titular Young Men’s Christian Association. The song is, however, open to interpretation, with some claiming it's a gay anthem due to the "Y.M.C.A." serving as a popular cruising spot for young men. Victor Willis, one of the song’s co-writers and lead singers, disputes this notion, stating that it was meant to be an anthem for hanging out with your straight buddies at that place and not as a gay anthem.

That said, "Y.M.C.A." became one of the group's greatest hits, topping various charts worldwide. It also became a classic song still played in dance clubs and other social gatherings worldwide. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy tune will get the most stubborn person up and dancing to the rhythm. "Y.M.C.A." is a timeless song that has managed to stand the test of time, even with the different interpretations put forward by different groups of people.

So what is Y.M.C.A. really about? The song was born out of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), founded in 1844 by George Williams. The YMCA was originally meant to promote Christian values in young men through physical activities. It was open to all men, regardless of their religious affiliation, race, or background, making it a positive move towards inclusivity in society.

The Village People's song "Y.M.C.A." can be seen as a tribute to the YMCA organization. The lyrics encourage people to go to the YMCA to have some fun and enjoy its various amenities. The song also highlights the benefits of joining the organization, such as access to a swimming pool, a gym, and the chance to make new friends. According to the Village People, the song was meant to encourage young individuals to sign up for the YMCA and benefit from everything it had to offer.

"Y.M.C.A." was an instant hit upon its release and quickly climbed to the top of the charts worldwide. It became one of the first disco singles to sell over 10 million copies worldwide. The song shot the Village People to international stardom and helped "Cruisin'" to become their most successful album. It was also used in various movies, a testament to how popular it was and still is to this day.

The song "Y.M.C.A." is an essential part of music history and has been loved by music enthusiasts for more than 40 years now. It's a unique song that oozes energy and is sure to get even the most reserved of individuals dancing. It's no wonder that it's one of the most frequently played songs in sports arenas, dance clubs, and parties across the world.

Bottom line

The song "Y.M.C.A." by Village People is a classic tune that has remained popular for over 40 years, making it an essential part of music history. The song's catchy tune and upbeat tempo continue to keep people dancing worldwide, showcasing the power of iconic music meant to transcend social, political or cultural limitations. The song has been the subject of much interpretation and subsequent debate, although it's undoubted that it remains close to millennial and elderly folks alike. Nonetheless, "Y.M.C.A." has beaten all odds and continues to be an evergreen tune played with high regularity in sports arenas, dance clubs, and parties worldwide.

• Release Date: September 25, 1978
• Artist: Village People