70s

Y.M.C.A. stands for "Young Men's Christian Association," which is commonly associated with the gyms that often provide temporary housing to men. The Village People sing about the YMCA as a place where you can hang out with all the boys. It's implied that this is more of a concealed kind of place to gather in-the-closet gay young men so they can leave their worries and troubles behind and let loose. While the lyrics don't contain any specific gay references, the song became a gay anthem. (Source songfacts.com) 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 clean, you can have a good meal You can do what about 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 Y.M.C.A It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A. You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal You can do what about 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. It's fun to stay 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, I was pulling it down Young man