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

Songs You Should Know

“YMCA”, The Village People (1978)

This disco song is now played at sporting events, and is a gay anthem; although it was not originally meant to be according to heterosexual Victor Willis. At face value, it is about his times at the Young Men’s Christian Association when he was young – playing basketball and swimming.

I was taught swimming at the YMCA. After not doing so well when I was 6 years old at the local pool, my Dad decided I was going to learn dammit! So I was given bus fare and a membership card he had purchased for me, and downtown I went by myself. I was scared spit-less. I was 10 years old.