Blurb:
On the surface, its lyrics extol the virtues of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) which operates like a hostel in larger cities. In the gay culture from which the group sprung, the song was understood as celebrating the YMCA's reputation as a popular cruising and hookup spot, particularly for the younger gay men to whom it was addressed (ironically, at the time that the song was a hit the gay community both increased its visibility and no longer felt the need to use organizations such as the YMCA as a cover for its sexual activities, and the YMCA moved toward being a more family-oriented and less exclusively male organization).
The song has continued to remain popular despite (or later, because of) its status as a disco classic and gay anthem, even among listeners who would otherwise want little to do with either. A popular dance in which the arms are used to spell out the four letters of the song's title may have much to do with this. It is frequently played during breaks in the action at sporting events, with crowds using the dance as an opportunity to stretch, similar to the later Macarena.
On the surface, its lyrics extol the virtues of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) which operates like a hostel in larger cities. In the gay culture from which the group sprung, the song was understood as celebrating the YMCA's reputation as a popular cruising and hookup spot, particularly for the younger gay men to whom it was addressed (ironically, at the time that the song was a hit the gay community both increased its visibility and no longer felt the need to use organizations such as the YMCA as a cover for its sexual activities, and the YMCA moved toward being a more family-oriented and less exclusively male organization).
The song has continued to remain popular despite (or later, because of) its status as a disco classic and gay anthem, even among listeners who would otherwise want little to do with either. A popular dance in which the arms are used to spell out the four letters of the song's title may have much to do with this. It is frequently played during breaks in the action at sporting events, with crowds using the dance as an opportunity to stretch, similar to the later Macarena.
(This video frequently gets removed from YouTube: please report if it does)
Scroll and Sing:
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 cleaned, 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 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 cleaned, 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 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 ... you'll find it 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 ... you'll find it 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 ... just go to the y-m-c-a.
young man, young man, are you listening to me?
young man, young man, what do you wanna be?
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