Single:
YMCA entered the Australian singles chart* on 6 November 1978 and peaked at #1. The song was #4 on the Top 100 of 1978.
Album:
The song is on Cruisin’ which entered the Australian albums chart* on 30 October 1978 and peaked at #16.
Songwriters:
Jacques Morali, Victor Willis
Producer:
Jacques Morali
Record label of Australian release:
RCA Victor
Music video:
The music video was filmed in New York City in July 1978 and features the band singing the song and dancing all over the city. The location shown the most is the original site of YMCA, McBurney, 213 West 23rd Street. Other filming locations included 395 West Street – site of the Ramrod gay club – the West Side Piers and Hudson River Park. It ends with the camera zooming in on the Empire State Building.
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
Songfacts:
This song has a dance associated with it where participants form the letters with their arms. It is commonly performed at weddings and other celebrations, and is extremely popular as it’s very easy to do. The Village People popularised the dance moves when they performed the song; over the years they have sometimes given instructions on how to do it correctly.
The song’s co-writer, Victor Willis, who is not gay, insists this is not a “gay song”, with the line “you can hang out with all the boys” inspired by his youth, when he would play basketball with his friends at the YMCA.
“I wanted to write a song that could fit anyone’s lifestyle,” he told News Corp Australia. “I’m happy the gay community adopted it as their anthem, I have no qualms with that.”
Read more: www.songfacts.com/facts/the-village-people/ymca
Lyrics:
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
Click for full lyrics
Find more songs to enjoy: Bang a Gong song finder
New to Bang a Gong? Click HERE to learn more about us.