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What comes to mind when you think of the Village People's song "YMCA"? For many people, this iconic song evokes memories of childhood and summer. But do you know what is behind the text? 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 call on young men to use their gifts and talents to change the world. Are you up for the challenge?
IIn the modern world, people experience countless emotions and feelings every day, every second. 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 known all over the world and some exist only for one and only heart. The music described in this article certainly belongs to two categories at once: no one knows it and it has sunk into everyone's hearts. Rhythm, text, message and meaning, clip? What exactly are you attracted to?
The great American song that Trump performed at election conventions has been making noise around the world for decades. The hit is all over the news, people still like it and it doesn't leave their playlists. An immortal classic? How does this song attract listeners? Is there anything more exciting and deeper than the trivial motivation in the lines: "don't be sad, man." And what does an interesting abbreviation and the song itself mean?
The answers to all these questions are already in this article.
The history of the song "YMCA" - Villagers
This track was written by the American disco group Village People. It was performed in 1978 as the only single from Cruisin's third studio album, also released in 1978. The author of the song is Jacques Morale, and the producer is another author, singer Victor Willis. Potpourri with "Hot Cop" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Dance Music chart while the song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1979 losing to "Le Freak" Chic and the song "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" ?” Outside the US, "YMCA" simultaneously reached No. 1 in the UK, becoming the group's most successful hit.
It is one of less than 40 singles to have sold 10 million physical copies worldwide. The song remains popular to this day and is performed at many sports tournaments in the United States and Europe, with the audience joining in the dance, using hand movements to write the letters of the song's title. In September 2000, "YMCA" was used as the Space Shuttle wake-up call on day 11 of STS-106. In 2009, "YMCA" set a Guinness World Record when over 44,000 people danced to a live performance of the Village People song on spacecraft STS-106.2008 Game Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
US President Donald Trump danced to this song while meeting his supporters in Florida. A video with the head of state was published on Twitter by one of the participants of the event. The video shows the American leader dancing rhythmically in public as the audience tries to replicate the country's leader's moves. Earlier, Donald Trump performed an incendiary dance to the YMCA song on October 14, speaking at a rally for his supporters. The song was a staple of Trump's campaign rallies during his presidency, sparking speculation about whether he or his staff knew of the suggestive effects of same-sex relationships.
A short history of the band
In the early 1980s, Morali and Belo changed the style of the collective and sought to improve it. At that time, a new album was added to the band's discography. We're talking about the Renaissance album. Fans, including music critics, did not receive the collection too warmly. At the same time, Jeff Olson joined the team, which received the image of a cowboy.
Victor Willis was invited to the band to record a new album. In 1982, the musicians presented the album Fox on the Box. The CD was presented to European and Chinese fans of the band. In the United States, the album was released under a different name - In the Street. During this period, two members immediately left the band - David Hodo and Ray Simpson, and Mark Lee and Miles Jay replaced the musicians.
In the mid-1980s, the band presented the world with another album entitled Sex Over the Phone. The producers and band members made a big bet on him. However, from a commercial point of view, the long game turned out to be a complete "failure".
The producers decided to suspend the activities of the group. For about two years, the band did not appear and disappeared from the fans. The musicians had no world tours or new compositions. In 1987, the band returned to the stage with the following line-up:
Alex Briley – Marinier
(He was born in 1951. in Harlem, New York. Son of a Christian pastor. Brierly sang in church at a very young age and studied singing at Hartford University in Connecticut.
Brilia was introduced to producer/composer Jacques Morali by fellow Village People member Victor Willis. First he played in jeans and a T-shirt, but in 1978. In 1979 he played the role of a soldier on the album Cruisin', and in 1979. A year later he did it as a sailor when the group was registered with the Navy.)
David Hodo- Construction worker
(Dancer/singer from America. With 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 appeared as a guest on What's My Line as a fire eater on roller skates.)
Glen Hughes- Cyclist
(Vocalist, bass guitarist, songwriter, known for his performances in Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Country Communion, Tony Iommi, Phenomenon, HTP and solo career. From England.)
Randy Jones— Kowboj
(Randy attended high school in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he became the organizer of the Dramatic Arts Club and graduated from 1970-1977-1980. He was one of the members of the country music choir, dove time Forrest Messages. He now lives in New York City.)
Filip Roos- Indian
(As usual when he was part of the group, he wore a costume consisting of a hood, a yellow suit, and a theatrical vest whose character was a kitten. From 1977 to 2017, the lead singer of the original line-up was RoseWills; a year later the group's name was changed. In 2018 Rose released the single "equilateral" after her solo tour.)
Ray Simpson - agent
(In August 1979, he replaced original vocalist Victor Willis as the police officer, a position he held until 1982 and again from 1987 to Willis in 2017. Simpson sang in the first year of the group, hence he was hired (in a short time) to join the group, when Willis left.
Simpson starred in the film "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" stand for?
People familiar with urban America should know about the YMCA. It is essentially a "Young Men's Christian Association" organization that was established to serve poor citizens (especially men and boys).
This youth voluntary institution prioritizes the development and education of boys and girls based on three principles: a healthy mind, a healthy body and a developed intellect. It became popular with the creation of children's camps. It was founded in London in 1844 by George Williams, who lived from 1821 to 1905, and has approximately 64 million members in over 120 countries around the world.
Although the YMCA is a Christian organization by its roots and goals, it has no official affiliation with any church, government or state. The purpose of YMCA programs is to strengthen people's moral and physical health, to unite them in socially valuable activities, and to promote respect for universal values.
The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad has repeatedly expressed its negative attitude towards SIMCA, identifying the activities of the YMCA with freemasonry and spreading the ideas of ecumenism and non-Christian humanism. The traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church, Russian spirituality and culture are among the declared goals of the YMCA in Russia.
The meaning of the song "YMCA" - Village People
The meaning of the songlies in the team's narrative of a person, a "newbie in town", who seems mostly stuck i.e. homeless and broke, that the YMCA is the place to go. In particular, they will take care of his needs. In addition, he will meet people like him with whom he can identify. In the next part, the listener understands that the YMCA can help improve his life and make his dream come true. And he was too proud to allow mercy to help him. But it's clear he needs to swallow his pride and ask for the right support.
In the last stanza, the singer directly sympathizes with the addressee, stating that he was once in the same situation. Once he also found himself in 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 the young man, someone advised him to seek help from the YMCA. And maybe, given how he supports the institute, it all went well.
(To demonstrate the continuity of generations, a third character appears on the stage in the finale – someone called someone. Who once came to the narrator, who was on the verge of suicide, and literally took him by the hand to the Association. And there, when he was a very young man, lost and confused, he was given food and scented soap, as well as the costume of a Cuban rebel, builder, biker, cowboy, Indian or cop.)
At first glance, it may seem that the number is quite simple. Residents found a man who was in trouble and in danger. They wanted to take him to a place where, in their opinion and experience, he would receive help, an equal "problem solver". Nevertheless, he must accept that the issue qualifies as a public announcement.
[Other]
YMCA, it's nice to be with
YMCA.
Young man, young man, are you listening to me?
Young man, young man, what do you want to be?
YMCA, you can find it on the site
YMCA.
No man, no man does everything alone
Young man, young man, put your pride on the shelf
YMCA and go to
YMCA.
Young man, young man, I was once in your place.
It is impossible not to mention the fascinating facts.
- In addition to the fact that beloved Donald bows under the song, numerous parodies of this composition were created. One of them is by Boy George. His real name is George Alan O'Dowd, a British singer and composer, one of the pioneers of the new romance movement. Former member of groups such as Culture Club and Jesus Loves You.
- And here is a version of the song performed at a time when Robyn Adele Anderson was not performing music herself. American singer and stage actress from New York. Cast member and acclaimed recording artist for Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox with over 250 million views of her music videos on YouTube. She is credited with groundbreaking covers of the songs "Charity Shop" and "We Can't Stop" in 2013.
- Does the piece of music glorify gays? Why is this composition considered the gay song of all time? The fact is that the Village People group, inherent in gay culture, was considered to be singing in a camouflaged form, not at all depicting the Christian virtues of the association.
- The rumor started because the organization was unofficially famous for its rich opportunities for gay recreation and a comfortable place to find a partner. The band members denied that the composition of their song implied references to a gay context, but the ambiguous sound was always tacitly welcome.
- The day before, news came from the US that the YMCA had decided to change its name and would now be simply called Y., or Young. For example, the organizers would like to emphasize the orientation towards young people even more.
- The group wrote: "We are deeply disturbed by today's announcement that the YMCA has decided to change its name after 166 years under that name," the statement read. “But some things stay the same. We have great admiration for the organization's work, but get used to the name Y. I don't think we can do that."
- "YMCA" ranks seventh on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 20th Century.
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FAQs
Explaining the meaning of the song "YMCA" - Village People - Lot of Sense? ›
The Village People sing about the
Conversely, Willis had said that he wrote the song in Vancouver, British Columbia and, through his publicist, that he did not write "Y.M.C.A." as a gay anthem, but rather as a reflection of the fun activities that young urban black youth experienced at YMCA, such as basketball and swimming.
What is the story behind Village People? ›The group was originally formed by French producers Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo and lead singer Victor Willis following the release of the debut album Village People, which targeted disco's large gay audience. The group's name refers to Manhattan's Greenwich Village, with its reputation as a gay neighborhood.
Did the YMCA sue Village People? ›Leaders of the Young Men's Christian Association, or YMCA, weren't happy when the Village People released their song “YMCA” in 1978. They filed a lawsuit on January 13, 1979, saying the group used their trademarked name without permission and that the song defamed their name.
Who are the characters in the YMCA song? ›After the performance, Mike Walsh greets the group and gets them to introduce themselves. They are Ray Simpson (the policeman), Randy Jones (the cowboy), David Hodo (the construction worker), Felipe Rose (the Native American), Glenn Hughes (the leatherman) and Alex Briley (the soldier).
What is the meaning of funeral song? ›: a song or hymn of grief or lamentation. especially : one intended to accompany funeral or memorial rites. a funeral dirge. : a slow, solemn, and mournful piece of music.
What is the meaning of the oh yeah song? ›Every time a movie, TV show or commercial wants to underline the jaw-dropping impact of a hot babe or sleek auto, that synth-drum starts popping and that deep voice rumbles, 'Oh yeah…". A 2014 article on The Dissolve website, suggests the song is used to metaphorically represent lust (in various forms) and cocaine.
Who were the 5 Village People? ›The disco music fad was brief, but heady for the original members of the Village People. Victor Willis, David Hodo, Felipe Rose, Alex Briley, Randy Jones, and Glenn Hughes reeled when record sales slumped in the early 1980s.
Was the village true story? ›Late in the film, Shyamalan reveals that the reality the whole film has been based on is a lie. The Village seems to be set in a New England agrarian community in the 1700s or 1800s, whose residents eke out their livelihood based on what they can coax the earth into giving up.
What are all the Village People? ›What is the YMCA policy on Lgbtq? ›
At the Y, we provide LGBTQ youth and adults a safe space to be themselves, socialize, participate in clubs, activities, events, programs, services and more to learn, grow and thrive.
Why did YMCA change its name? ›WASHINGTON, DC -- It's official—the YMCA is now just called the Y. The YMCA of the USA announced its new brand strategy in an effort to modernize its image and draw attention to its core areas of focus, Y officials said today in a press conference.
How many Village People are in the YMCA? ›Village People consisted of six members, each of whom personified a popular gay archetype. Twenty-one year-old Victor Willis, who was African American and heterosexual, was the soulful voice of the group.
Who wrote the Y.M.C.A. song? › Was the Y.M.C.A. song a commercial? ›“When 'Y.M.C.A. ' became a big hit,” said Randy, “there was a legal decision that those letters remained the property of the Young Men's Christian Association. By that time, though, the Y was thinking of our song as a free commercial, so everything was cool.”
What instruments are in the Y.M.C.A. song? ›Playable with 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, piano and drums. Y.M.C.A.
What song is dedicated for funeral? ›Here are some of the most popular funeral songs:
Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Eric Idle (Monty Python's 'Life of Brian') Time to Say Goodbye – Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. You'll Never Walk Alone – Gerry and the Pacemakers.
“Hurrian Hymn No. 6” is considered the world's earliest melody, but the oldest musical composition to have survived in its entirety is a first century A.D. Greek tune known as the “Seikilos Epitaph.” The song was found engraved on an ancient marble column used to mark a woman's gravesite in Turkey.
What is the final song at a funeral called? ›A dirge (Latin: dirige, naenia) is a somber song or lament expressing mourning or grief, such as would be appropriate for performance at a funeral.
What is the meaning of Oh Happy Days song? ›"O Happy Day" is a hymn that celebrates the covenant with God and salvation found in Jesus of the Non-Conformists in 18th Century England. It includes vivid imagery of the rejoicing its author, Philip Doddridge, felt for his savior and God.
What is the history of Yello? ›
Band history
Dieter Meier (vocals, lyrics), a millionaire industrialist and gambler, was brought in when the two founders realised that they needed a singer. The new band's name, Yello, was chosen as a neologism based on a comment made by Meier, "a yelled Hello". Yello's first release was the 1979 single "I.T. Splash".
The Edge of Forever – The Dream Academy
The dreamy synth song plays towards the film's end as Ferris says goodbye to the girl he's in love with before heading home. English pop-rock band, The Dream Academy, enjoyed short-lived fame in America when this song was included in the movie's soundtrack.
Felipe Swift Arrow Ortiz Rose (born 12 January 1954) is an American musician who was an original member of the disco group the Village People. While in the group, he performed as a Native American character - usually wearing a costume consisting of an imitation war bonnet, loincloth and theatrical face paint.
Who was the leader of The Village People? ›Victor Wills, the lead singer of The Village People, is reiterating his request to Trump, imploring him to stop using the band's music.
Where were most of The Village People going? ›Answer: The village people were going to the fair as it was being while since they step out from their homes.
What is the controversy with The Village? ›The ending of The Village drew considerable controversy after revealing that there were no monsters in the woods at all. Instead, the movie becomes a psychological horror with village elders lying about the presence of the creatures to prevent people from leaving.
Is The Village based on Amish? ›The Village is Shyamalan's latest theatrical effort. It tells the story of a small Amish-like community that had settled near a forest inhabited by menacing creatures.
What is the monster in The Village? ›The creature is actually Noah in a costume that he had found previously under the floorboards of the room where he had been locked away after the stabbing.
Is the village people still around? ›Village People is currently touring across 3 countries and has 7 upcoming concerts.
Who are the most important people in a village? ›The most important social institutions in village life are the clan, the village council and headman, or chief.
When did the village people start? ›
Is YMCA about the gym? ›YMCA gives you access to the gym, as well as basketball courts, swimming pools, jogging tracks, child care, and classes.
Why did he choose YMCA pool? ›When he decided to learn to swim, Douglas chose the YMCA pool as the Yakima river was too dangerous. The pool on the other hand was only two or three feet deep at the shallow end and even at the deep end, the drop was gradual. So it was the perfect place for him to learn swimming with the help of water wings.
What is the biggest YMCA ever? ›Welcome to the Fremont Family YMCA, the largest YMCA in the United States, with over 235,000 square feet! Since 1888, we have proudly served Fremont and surrounding communities. We focus on serving through programs and services that focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.
What is the oldest YMCA in America? ›The first YMCA in the United States opened on December 29, 1851, in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1851 by Captain Thomas Valentine Sullivan (1800–59), an American seaman and missionary.
What genre is YMCA Village People? ›David Hodo (born Richard Davis Hodo; July 7, 1947) is an American dancer/singer. He is most well known as a member of the group Village People, in which he was the construction worker character from 1978 to 1982 and from 1987 to 2013.
What is the smallest YMCA in America? ›The smallest YMCA to exist in the U.S. can now be found in Gothenburg, Nebraska. The new Gothenburg YMCA opened its doors at noon on April 27. The community as a whole was beyond excited for the new facility.
What does YMCA mean on Tiktok? ›' The lyrics, “Met a girl named Macy, had sex with her all day. But she was dyslexic, so I ended up doin the YMCA”, have gone viral on the app, referencing the Village People's iconic 'YMCA' dance routine. YMCA stands for 'Young Men's Christian Association'.
Who owns the rights to the Village People songs? ›Village People singer-songwriter Victor Willis has finally prevailed in reclaiming 50 percent of the copyright to many of the group's songs, including “Y.M.C.A.”
Who owns the rights to YMCA? ›
In the lucrative world of music copyright, it may be something of a watershed moment: on Friday, after six years of legal wrangling and decades after he wrote the lyrics to the hit song “YMCA,” Victor Willis will gain control of his share of the copyright to that song and others he wrote when he was the lead singer of ...
Who did the YMCA dance? ›Who Came Up with the "YMCA" Dance Moves? When French music producer Jacques Morali formed the Village People, in 1977, he probably never imagined that the group would still be touring today with two of its original members.
When did YMCA start? › Is YMCA copyrighted? ›The trademarks, service marks, designs, and logos (collectively, the "Trademarks") displayed on the Site are the registered and unregistered Trademarks of the YMCA and its licensors.
What instruments are used in the YMCA village people? ›Disco Music reached its peak in the years from 1977-1979, and the song "Y.M.C.A." made a considerable contribution to that success. “Many different instruments such as Woodwind, Brass, percussions, and strings were used to compose the track.
Which guitar hero has YMCA? ›- Guitar Hero.
- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
- Guitar Hero World Tour.
- Guitar Hero 5.
If you like Ymca, you might also like Macarena - Bayside Boys Remix by Los Del Rio and Don't Leave Me This Way (with Sarah Jane Morris) by The Communards and the other songs below ..
Who wrote the YMCA song? › What is the meaning of u2 song where the streets have no name? ›Lead vocalist Bono wrote the lyrics in response to the notion that it is possible to identify a person's religion and income based on the street on which they lived, particularly in Belfast.
Was the YMCA song a commercial? ›“When 'Y.M.C.A. ' became a big hit,” said Randy, “there was a legal decision that those letters remained the property of the Young Men's Christian Association. By that time, though, the Y was thinking of our song as a free commercial, so everything was cool.”
When were the Village People? ›
During the late 1970s and early '80s, Village People sold more than 100 million records, had three top ten pop hits, four top twenty dance/club hits, toured the world (selling out New York City's 20,789-seat Madison Square Garden twice), and made a major motion picture--1980's “Can't Stop the Music.” They were award ...
What does the streets never forget mean? ›Often in the soccer/football world, a player who the streets will never forget refers to someone who played well for a small period of time and then disappeared. Or had a memorable moment and also disappeared.
What was the controversial U2 song? ›"Sunday Bloody Sunday" has been performed more than 600 times by U2.
What city is mentioned the most in song lyrics? ›The 10 most sung about places in the world: New York, USA – 161 songs. London, UK – 102 songs.
What was the YMCA called before? ›It was founded on 6 June 1844 by George Williams in London, originally as the Young Men's Christian Association, and aims to put Christian values into practice by developing a healthy "body, mind, and spirit".
What sport did the YMCA invent? ›The very first game of basketball was played on December 21, 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The creator was James Naismith, a 30-year-old physical education faculty member at the YMCA International Training School (later to be named Springfield College.)
What two sports did the YMCA invent? ›During its long history, three sports were invented at the YMCA that are still played today; basketball, volleyball, and racquetball. In 1891, James Naismith, a Canadian that had moved to the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, invented the game of basketball.
Is the YMCA copyrighted? ›The trademarks, service marks, designs, and logos (collectively, the "Trademarks") displayed on the Site are the registered and unregistered Trademarks of the YMCA and its licensors.
What commercial used still the one song? ›In popular culture. In 1977, "Still The One" was used as a jingle by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) to promote the 1977-78 television season, and again in the 1979-80 television season, when the network was the highest rated in the country.
How many records did village people sell? ›VILLAGE PEOPLE sold over 6,136,880 albums, including 4,000,000 in the United States and 160,000 in the United Kingdom. The best-selling album by VILLAGE PEOPLE is CRUISIN', which sold over 1,899,080 copies .