My four-year-old daughter recently started singing “YMCA,” complete with all the iconic arm movements. It’s amazing how this song, famously performed by the Village People, remains a go-to track for DJs at any gathering aiming to get people of all ages onto the dance floor. This got me thinking about how many people actually realize that beneath its catchy tune and danceable rhythm, the YMCA song touches on themes of homelessness and economic hardship, particularly for young individuals moving to new cities.
The track “YMCA” was released in 1978 on the album Cruisin’. While it didn’t reach the #1 spot on the US Billboard charts (that was held by Rod Stewart’s Do You Think I’m Sexy? at the time), the YMCA song has achieved lasting popularity, transcending generations. From my parents’ generation to mine, and now to my children, the YMCA song is universally recognized and enjoyed.
At its heart, the narrative of the song is quite straightforward: a young person arrives in a new town, facing financial difficulties, and is advised to seek refuge at the YMCA for accommodation, hygiene, and sustenance.
The song also carries notable homosexual undertones, unsurprising given its origin with the Village People. Lines like “They have everything for young men to enjoy – you can hang out with all the boys” likely go unnoticed by most dancers focused on mastering the Y, M, C, and A arm formations. While the lyricist Victor Willis has mentioned that the song was intended to celebrate the YMCA as a recreational hub for urban youth, he has also acknowledged the double meanings and the YMCA’s reputation as a social and cruising spot for young gay men, and a place of affordable lodging.
However, I would challenge the notion implied in the song that staying in a homeless shelter is inherently “fun.” While the McBurney Branch of the YMCA featured in the music video isn’t a homeless shelter, many YMCAs do provide this crucial service. Depending on the shelter’s resources and quality, it can indeed be a better option than being unsheltered. Yet, the reality of homelessness is far from a lighthearted experience.
Despite this, the YMCA song does carry some genuinely positive and encouraging messages. Consider these lyrics:
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
This stanza effectively communicates the vital message that help is available and that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. I also appreciate the song’s element of outreach and empathy, evident in these lines:
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
Finally, the song subtly instills a sense of hope and aspiration, reminding us that even when facing hardship, dreams are still valid and attainable.
Ultimately, the YMCA song is undeniably fun, catchy, and universally appealing. It might seem like a song that doesn’t require deep thought. You might categorize this article as “Music Trivia” or “A Deeper Look at Pop Culture”. But the next time you hear the YMCA song at a social event, perhaps consider prompting a conversation about its underlying themes. Without dampening the mood, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness about issues like youth homelessness and the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth in the 21st century. Understanding the deeper context of this upbeat tune doesn’t diminish its fun; it simply enriches our appreciation of a song that’s about more than just four minutes of dance moves.
Village People performing YMCA
