Village People : Y.M.C.A.
On November 19, 1978 the new Village People single, "Y.M.C.A.", entered the U.K. charts at #42. It would hit #1 in the U.K. and peak at #2 in the U.S. Judging from its enthusiastic reception at elementary school dances, it may very well be the most enduring song from the entire decade. By confronting the public with in-your-face homosexuality, especially in the music video, could "Y.M.C.A." be more punk than anything the Sex Pistols recorded?
At first the Young Mens Christian Association threatened to sue the band over trademark infringement. They knew the YMCA's reputation as a popular cruising and hookup spot for gay men. But songwriter Victor Willis says he was thinking about the YMCA's reputation among inner city kids as a place to play basketball and swim. Felipe Rose, who was the Indian in the band, says "It was just a filler song, based on the ex-producer seeing the YMCA sign during lunch and asking us what it meant. Sure, there was ambiguity and they were using a double entendre, but it was really just supposed to be one more song to fill out the album."
Yes, there are many ways to have a good time.
Much of the enthusiasm for the song comes from its cheerleader choreography, first seen nationally in 1979 on American Bandstand in the clip below.
Y —arms outstretched and raised upwards
M —made by bending the elbows from the 'Y' pose so the fingertips meet in front of the chest
C —arms extended to the left
A —hands held together above head
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