MULTIMEDIA-ENGLISH
YMCA (Village People)
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4:38
Video page URL
https://multimedia-english.com/videos/music/ymca-village-people-3211
Description

Karaoke YMCA, You will get so much fun!!


The YMCA (Young Men Christian Association) is an organization created to provide young people with activities, summer camps, low-cost temporary lodging, social groups and many other services, all designed to promote good values. All YMCA programs have a strong importance on the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. They were developed to help teach children right from wrong.

Today, the YMCA is a worldwide of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs. Founded on June 6, 1844 in London, England by Sir George Williams, the goal of the organization was putting Christian principles into practice, achieved by developing "a healthy spirit, mind, and body." The YMCA is a federated organization made up of local and national organizations in voluntary association. Today, YMCAs are open to all, regardless of faith, social class, age, or gender though still focus on promoting Christian values.

Transcript

Young man there's no need to feel down
I said young man pick yourself off the ground
I said young man 'cause your 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 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.

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

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.

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
There's a place there called the Y.M.C.A.
They can start you back on your way.

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.

Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the 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, pick yourself off the ground

Y.M.C.A.
just go to the Y.M.C.A.
Young Man, Young Man, I was once in your shoes,
Young Man, Young Man, I was out with the blues

Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A

Meaning

Since this band is gay, many people think this song is promoting the idea that YMCA groups are ideal places for picking up other gay boys. However, Victor Willis, Village People's lead singer and writer of the lyrics (who is heterosexual), insists that he did not write YMCA as a gay anthem, but simply as a reflection of the fun and support you can get at YMCA groups.


This song, from 1978, was a great success and it is still often played, especially at many sporting events.