YMCA - VILLAGE PEOPLE
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A few years ago a friend and I attended the Panto inside the tower at Blackpool as a bit of a joke;- it was on ;- we were in the tower, and we thought 'why not.' In part of the show the host was getting all the boys and girls to sing a song - YMCA - and from around 5 - 15 years of age, all the children knew the words and movements to a song that was over 40 years old, has a powerful gay sex theme and yet, children all these years later know it and - do their parents not know what the words mean.... ???
The Village People is an American disco group well-known for their on-stage costumes, catchy tunes and suggestive lyrics. The group was originally conceived by Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo to target disco's gay audience. The group's name refers to New York City's Greenwich Village, at the time known for its large gay population. Its members were a symbolic group of fantasy stereotypes in attire often worn by gay men of Greenwich Village.
The group quickly became popular and moved into the mainstream, scoring several disco and dance hits internationally, including the hit singles "Macho Man", "In the Navy", "Go West" and their biggest hit, "Y.M.C.A.".
During the end of the disco music themed era, the group adapted to a more electronic and soulful music style with their later releases.
Today, the group only has one of it's original members, Victor Willis (the Policeman), but he's fronting a whole new revival with The Village People.
Years active: 1977-1985, 1987-present
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 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…
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