When you think of the song “YMCA” by the Village People, what comes to mind? For many people, this iconic song brings back memories of childhood and summertime. But do you know the meaning behind the lyrics? YMCA stands for Young Men’s Christian Association, and the song is actually a call to action for young men to get involved in their communities. The lyrics challenge young men to use their gifts and talents to make a difference in the world. Are you up for the challenge?
In the modern world, every day, every second, people experience countless different emotions and feelings. Sometimes they are so strong that a person turns them into things and exposes them in poems or songs. There are billions of songs; and some are world-famous, and some exist only for the heart of one and only. The music that is covered in this article certainly belongs to two categories at once: no person does not know about her, and she has sunk into everyone’s heart. Rhythm, text, message and meaning, clip? What attracts you exactly?
The groovy American song that Trump performed at election conventions has been making noise worldwide for decades. The hit is all over the news, does not cease to please people, and is not going to leave their playlists. An immortal classic? How does this song attract listeners? Is there something more exciting and profound in it than trivial motivation in the lines: “don’t be sad, man.” And what do the interesting abbreviation and the track itself mean?
There are already answers to all such questions in this article.
The Story of the Song “YMCA” – Village People
This track is written by the American disco group Village People. It was performed in 1978 as the only single from Cruisin’s third studio album, also published in 1978. The song’s author is Jacques Morale, and in combination producer, another author is singer Victor Willis. The potpourri with “Hot Cop” achieved number 2 on the Billboard Dance Music chart, while the song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1979, losing to “Le Freak” by Chic and the song “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? “Rod Stewart’s. Beyond the USA, “YMCA” achieved number 1 in the UK simultaneously, becoming the musical group’s most successful hit.
It is one of fewer than 40 singles that have sold 10 million physical duplicates worldwide. The track stays popular nowadays and is performed at many sporting tourneys in the USA and Europe, and crowds join in the dance, where hand movements are used to write the letters of the song title. In September 2000, “YMCA” was used as the Space Shuttle wake-up signal on the 11th day of STS-106. In 2009, “YMCA” set a Guinness World Record when more than 44,000 people danced to a live performance of the Village People song on the spacecraft STS-106.2008 Game Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
US President Donald Trump danced to this song during a meeting with his supporters in Florida. A video with the participation of the head of state was published on the Twitter account of one of the participants of the event. The recording demonstrates that the American leader is dancing rhythmically in public, and the audience is trying to repeat the movements of the country’s leader. Before that, Donald Trump performed an incendiary dance to the song YMCA on October 14, speaking at a rally in front of his supporters. The song was a staple of Trump’s campaign rallies throughout his presidency, leading to speculation about whether he or his staff knew about the suggestive effects of homosexual liaisons.
The Short Story of the band
In the early 1980s, Morali and Belo changed the style of the collective, striving to improve it. At this time, a new album was added to the band’s discography. We are talking about the Renaissance record. Fans, including music critics, did not very warmly receive the collection. At the same time, Jeff Olson joined the team who received the image of a cowboy.
Victor Willis was invited to join the band to record a new record. In 1982, the musicians presented the album Fox on the Box. The CD was presented to the European and Chinese fans of the band. In the United States of America, the record was released under a different name – – In the Street. During this period, two members left the band at once — David Hodo and Ray Simpson, and mark Lee and Miles Jay replaced the musicians.
In the mid-1980s, the band presented another album to the world, and it was called Sex Over the Phone. The producers and band members made a big bet on him. However, from a commercial point of view, the long-play turned out to be a complete “failure.”
The producers decided to suspend the group’s activities. For about two years, the band did not appear and disappeared for fans. The musicians did not have tours around the world or new compositions. In 1987, the band returned to the stage with this composition:
Alex Briley — Marine
(He was born in 1951. one year in Harlem, New York. Son of a Christian pastor. Brierly sang in the church at a very young age and studied singing at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.
Brilia was introduced to producer/composer Jacques Morali by fellow Village People member Victor Willis. He first played in jeans and a t-shirt, but in 1978.in 1979, he took the role of a soldier in the album Cruisin’, and 1979. in a year, he did it as a sailor when the group was registered in the navy.)
David Hodo — Construction Worker
(Dancer/singer from America. In the group, he was a character builder from 1978 to 1982 and from 1987 to 2013.
Hodo was born in San Andreas, California, and grew up in Sacramento. He was present as a guest on What’s My Line as a fire eater on roller skates.)
Glenn Hughes — Biker
(Vocalist, bass guitarist, songwriter, known for performing in the bands Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Country Communion, Tony Iommi, Phenomenon, HTP, and a solo career. From England.)
Randy Jones — Cowboy
(Randy attended high school in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he became an organizer of the Dramatic Arts Club and graduated from 1970 to 1977-1980. He was one of the members of the village people’s musical choir, dove time Forrest messages. Currently lives in New York.)
Philip Rose — The Indian
(As usual, when he was part of a group, he wore a costume consisting of a hood, a suit in yellow, and a theatrical vest, whose character was puss. From 1977 to 2017 was the vocalist of the original line-up RoseWills; a year later, the group’s name was changed. In 2018, after a solo tour, Rose released the single “equilateral.”)
Ray Simpson – Cop
(In August 1979, he replaced the original singer Victor Willis in the role of the policeman, a position he played until 1982, and again from 1987 until Willis back in 2017. Simpson sang in the first year of the group’s existence, which is why he was hired (in a concise time) to join the group when Willis left.
Simpson starred in the movie “Village people “I can’t stop the music,” released in 1980.
Born and raised in the Bronx, he graduated from City College in New York with a degree in English and music.)
What does “YMCA” mean?
People familiar with urban America should know the YMCA. In short, it is an organization of the “Young Men’s Christian Association, “which was created to serve poor citizens (especially men and boys).
This youth volunteer institution puts at the forefront the development and upbringing of boys and girls based on three principles: a healthy mind, a healthy body, and a developed intellect. It has gained popularity owing to the creation of children’s camps. It was founded in London in 1844 by George Williams, who lived from 1821 to 1905, and has about 64 million members in more than 120 countries worldwide.
Albeit the YMCA is a Christian organization by its roots and goals, it has no official ties with any church, government, or state. The objectives of YMCA programs are to strengthen people’s moral and physical health, unite them for socially valuable activities, and foster respect for universal values.
The Russian Orthodox Church abroad has repeatedly stated its negative attitude to the SIMCA, linking the activities of the YMCA with Freemasonry and the spread of the ideas of ecumenism and non-Christian humanism. Russian Orthodox Church traditions, Russian spirituality, and culture are one of the declared goals of the YMCA in Russia.
Meaning of the song “YMCA” – Village People
The song’s meaning lies in the narration of the band about a person, “greenhorn in town,” who appears stuck chiefly, that is, without a roof over his head and broke, that the YMCA is a place to go. In particular, they’ll take care of his necessities. Additionally, he’ll meet people like himself with whom he can hang out. In the following part, the listener understands that the YMCA can contribute to improving his life and implementing his daydream. And it was too proud to allow yourself the help of the charity. But it’s evident that he requires ingesting his pride and asking for appropriate support.
In the last verse, the singer directly sympathizes with the addressee, stating that he was once in the same situation. Once upon a time, he also faced a difficult situation; he did not receive care and kindness and did not believe that the world was hypocritical. Or he was just depressed. But since he is currently advising a young man, someone recommended that he seek help from the YMCA. And perhaps, considering how he supports the institute, everything went well.
(Demonstrating the continuity of generations, a third character appears on the stage in the finale – someone named someone. Who once came to the narrator, who was in a state close to suicide, and literally took him by the hand to the Association. And there, when he was still a very young man, lost and lost, he was given food and fragrant soap, as well as a costume of a Cuban rebel, builder, biker, cowboy, Indian, or cop.)
At first, it may seem that the song is quite straightforward. Residents stumbled upon a guy who got into trouble and jeopardized. They wanted to take him to a place where, in their opinion and experience, he would get help, to the equivalent “troubleshooter.” Nevertheless, it should accept to account denied that this track can be classified as a public advertisement.
[Outro]
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 want to be?
YMCA, you’ll find it at the
YMCA.
No man, no man does it all by himself
Young man, young man, put your pride on the shelf
YMCA and go to the
YMCA.
Young man, young man, I was once in your shoes.
It is impossible not to mention fascinating facts.
- In addition to the fact that dear Donald flexed under the song, numerous parodies were made for this composition. The author of one of them is Boy George. His real name is George Alan O’Dowd, a British singer, and composer, one of the pioneers of the new Romance movement. In the past, a member of such groups as Culture Club and Jesus Loves You.
- And here is a version of the performance of this song at a time when Robyn Adele Anderson did not yet perform the music itself. American vocalist and theater actress from New York. Cast member and acclaimed artist Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox with over 250 million views on YouTube of her music videos. She is credited with the band’s breakthrough covers of the songs “Charity Shop” and “We Can’t Stop” in 2013.
- Does a piece of music praise gay people? Why is this composition considered the gay anthem of all time? The fact is that the Village People group, inextricably linked with gay culture, was believed to be singing in a veiled form, not at all the Christian virtues of the Association.
- The rumor began because the organization was unofficially famous for its rich opportunities for gay recreation and a place convenient for finding a partner. The band’s musicians denied composing their song implying references to the gay context, but its ambiguous sound was always tacitly welcomed.
- The day before, news came from the USA that the YMCA association decided to rename itself, and now it will be called simply Y., that is, Young. Thus, its organizers allegedly seek to emphasize its youth orientation further.
- The group wrote: “We are deeply alarmed by the current announcement that the YMCA organization has decided to rename itself after having existed under this name for 166 years,” the statement said. “But some things remain the same. We deeply admire the organization’s work, but get used to the name Y. I don’t think we can.”
- “YMCA” is number Seven on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 20th century.
