My four-year-old daughter recently belted out “YMCA,” complete with all the iconic arm movements. It’s a familiar scene – the Village People’s song is a guaranteed floor-filler at any event with a diverse age range. This moment sparked a thought: how many people truly consider the underlying story of this upbeat anthem? Beneath the catchy tune and dance craze, the Ymca Song subtly touches upon themes of homelessness and economic hardship, particularly affecting young individuals arriving in new cities.
Released in 1978 on the album Cruisin’, “YMCA” became a cultural phenomenon, even though it peaked at number two on the US Billboard charts, outshone by Rod Stewart’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy?”. Despite not reaching the top spot, the YMCA song has endured, transcending generations. From grandparents to grandkids, its infectious energy is universally recognized.
But beyond the dance, what is the song actually about? The narrative is deceptively simple: a young man, new to town and struggling financially, is advised to seek refuge at the YMCA for shelter, cleanliness, and sustenance.
The lyrics also carry a distinct layer of homosexual subtext, unsurprising given the Village People’s persona. Lines like “They have everything for young men to enjoy – you can hang out with all the boys” are often overlooked by dancers focused on mastering the arm choreography. While Village People lyricist Victor Willis initially described the song as celebrating the YMCA’s athletic facilities for urban youth, he later acknowledged the song’s double entendres and the YMCA’s reputation as a social and cruising spot for young gay men, and a safe haven for those in need of accommodation.
However, the song’s suggestion that staying in a homeless shelter is inherently “fun” needs a critical perspective. While some YMCA facilities, like the McBurney Branch featured in the music video, may not operate as homeless shelters, many YMCAs do provide crucial housing support. The experience of a shelter varies greatly depending on resources and conditions, and while it can be a necessary step up from living on the streets, “fun” is hardly the descriptor that comes to mind.
Yet, the YMCA song does offer genuinely positive and important messages. The stanza:
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
promotes the vital idea of seeking help and recognizing that support systems exist. This message of community outreach and empathy is further emphasized in lines like:
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
These lyrics resonate with feelings of isolation and despair, common among those facing homelessness, and offer a message of hope and understanding. Even in moments of hardship, the song suggests, dreams and aspirations remain valid.
The YMCA song is undeniably fun, catchy, and lighthearted on the surface. It’s easy to categorize it as simple music trivia or just a silly dance track. But the next time you hear it at a gathering, consider prompting a discussion about its potential deeper meaning. Without dampening the celebratory mood, we can use the YMCA song as a starting point to raise awareness about homelessness and the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable youth, including LGBTQ+ individuals, who disproportionately experience homelessness even today. This simple pop song, born decades ago, can spark conversations that extend far beyond the dance floor and into real-world empathy and understanding.
