The story behind the meaning of the song lyrics of “Y.M.C.A.” is convoluted. On the one hand, there is the theory that the song extols the virtues of the “Y” as a spot for gay men and teens to hookup. On the other hand, there is lead singer Victor Willis’s assertion that the song is instead about the fun activities urban Black youth can enjoy at the “Y,” such as swimming and basketball. The song is nearly 50 years old at this point, and there is no definitive answer. Willis, to be fair, told News Corp Australian Network that the song isn’t about being gay because he isn’t gay. The song’s producer, Jacques Morali, was gay, however. No matter what Willis as stated in the past, the song has become a sort of gay anthem that celebrates diversity in both gender and sexual orientation.
The Song’s Importance When it Comes to Diversity
The LGBTQ2IA+ community embraced the song not only because of the lyrics but also because of the images in the iconic video. Many folks identified with the chaps-wearing cowboy, the fatigues-wearing solider, and especially Willis’s uniformed police officer. Despite Willis’s denial that the song is a gay anthem, he says that the LGBTQ2IA+ community treating the song as such is all right with him.
Even though not every member of the group was gay, every member supported rights for every member of the community. The name itself came from Greenwich Village, that area of New York between Houston Street and West 14th Street that has been a bastion of LGBTQ2IA+ safety and empowerment since the 1880s. The modern gay rights movement started at the Stonewall Inn during the Stonewall Riots. General consensus is that it started when the police smashed Stormé DeLarverie with their batons when she complained about her handcuffs being too tight. Marsha P. Johnson and others, who arrived shortly thereafter, joined the fray. It’s a powerful reminder of a time when simply not being cishet could get you arrested or worse.
Appearances in Other Media
The song has appeared in all genres of television programs from police procedurals like “Cold Case” to situation comedies like “Friends.” It’s interesting to note its use in “Friends” because that show has aged badly. Many of its gags were homophobic. From its cameo in Melvin Udall’s car in “As Good as it Gets” to the soundtrack of Wayne’s World 2, it has been central to many film soundtracks as well. The song has a feel-good vibe to it and is almost compulsorily upbeat, making it a popular choice for wedding receptions and other parties.
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 you 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 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 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 you 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 what ever 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 tight
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 you 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, pick yourself off the ground
Y.M.C.A., it’s fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
Young man, 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.
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Henri Belolo / Jacques Morali / Victor Edward Willis
Y.M.C.A. lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Listeners that enjoy this song about Inspiration may also enjoy the song How to save a life by The Fray
