About The Song
“Y.M.C.A.” is a disco song by the Village People, released in October 1978 as the single from their album “Cruisin'”. Co-written by Jacques Morali and Victor Willis, the song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The lyrics encourage a young man to find joy and community at the YMCA. The iconic dance associated with the chorus letters Y, M, C, and A has become a symbol of celebration and unity. The official music video, released in 1978, features the Village People performing the song in their trademark costumes and has gained widespread popularity.
On the surface, the song celebrates the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) as a place for fun, friendship, and support. It also has strong subtextual associations with the LGBTQ+ community, particularly gay men. The lyrics can be interpreted as embracing inclusivity and finding a place to belong, regardless of one’s identity.
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.
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 wanna be?
I said, young man, you can make real your dreams.
But you 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.
Young man, young man, there's no need to feel down.
Young man, young man, get yourself off the ground.
Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
Young man, are you listening to me?
Young man, young man, what do you wanna be?
Y.M.C.A.
You'll find it at the Y.M.C.A.
No man, young man, does it all by himself.
Young man, young man, put your pride on the shelf,
Y.M.C.A.
And just go to the Y.M.C.A.
Young man, young man, I was once in your shoes.
Young man, young man, I was down with the blues.
Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.