View source for Y.M.C.A. (song)

{{short description|1978 single by Village People}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Y.M.C.A.
| cover      = YMCA by Village People US vinyl single A-side label-.png
| caption    = One of A-side label variants of U.S. 7-inch vinyl single
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Village People]]
| album      = [[Cruisin' (Village People album)|Cruisin']]
| B-side     = The Women
| released   = 1978
| recorded   = 1978
| studio     = [[Sigma Sound Studios, New York City|Sigma Sound]], New York City
| venue      =
| genre      = [[Disco]]
| label      = [[Casablanca Records|Casablanca]]
| length     =
* 3:49 <small>(single/video version)</small>
* 4:47 <small>(album version)</small>
* 6:47 <small>(12" disco version)</small>
| writer     =
* [[Jacques Morali]]
* [[Victor Willis]]
| producer   = [[Jacques Morali]]
| prev_title = [[Macho Man (song)|Macho Man]]
| prev_year  = 1978
| next_title = [[In the Navy]]
| next_year  = 1979
| misc       = {{External music video|{{YouTube|CS9OO0S5w2k|"Y.M.C.A."}}}}
}}

"'''Y.M.C.A.'''" is a song by American [[disco]] group [[Village People]], written by [[Jacques Morali]] (also the record's producer) and singer [[Victor Willis]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Littlefield |first=Dana|date=March 5, 2015|title=Village People cop wins 50% of 'YMCA' rights |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-village-people-singer-writer-owns-ymca-song-2015mar05-story.html|website=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103170525/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-village-people-singer-writer-owns-ymca-song-2015mar05-story.html|archive-date=November 3, 2018|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref> and released in October 1978 by [[Casablanca Records]] as the only single from their third studio album, ''[[Cruisin' (Village People album)|Cruisin'<nowiki/>]]'' (1978). A [[medley (music)|medley]] with "[[Hot Cop]]" reached No. 2 on the US ''[[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]]'' [[Dance Music/Club Play Singles]] chart,<ref name=chart>{{cite web|title=The Village People Awards|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-village-people-mn0000808201|website=[[Allmusic]]|access-date=October 31, 2012}}</ref> while the song reached No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot 100]] in early 1979, placing behind both "[[Le Freak]]" by [[Chic (band)|Chic]] and "[[Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?]]" by [[Rod Stewart]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100|title=Top 100 Songs &#124; Billboard Hot 100 Chart|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 2, 2013}}</ref> Outside the U.S., "Y.M.C.A." reached No. 1 on the [[UK singles chart]] in 1979, becoming the group's biggest hit and one of the [[List of best-selling singles|best-selling singles]] with 12 million copies sold worldwide.<ref name="wwsales"/> In 2024, 46 years after its release, "Y.M.C.A." spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard [[Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/RealVillagePeople/photos/winningymca-returns-to-no1-for-the-6th-weekwinning/1136412651184972/ |via=Facebook|title=WINNING! Y.M.C.A returns to No.1 for the 6th week! WINNING!|publisher=Village People}}</ref><ref>https://x.com/billboardcharts/status/1884254042991518218</ref>

The song remains popular and is played at many [[sporting events]] in the US and Europe, with crowds joining in on the dance by spelling out the four letters of the song's title via arm movements. "Y.M.C.A." is No. 7 on [[VH1]]'s list of "The 100 Greatest Dance Songs of the 20th Century".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.disco-disco.com/other/vh1.shtml |title=the VH1's 100 Greatest Dance Songs|publisher=Disco-disco.com |access-date=March 28, 2014}}</ref> In 2020, "Y.M.C.A." was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]]<ref name="grammy.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/grammy-hall-fame-2021-inductions-welcomes-recordings-tribe-called-quest-billie-holiday-journey-linda|title=GRAMMY Hall of Fame 2021 Inductions Announced|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> and selected by the [[Library of Congress]] for preservation in the [[National Recording Registry]] for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref name=NRR-Mar2020>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=March 25, 2020 |title=National Recording Registry Class Produces Ultimate 'Stay at Home' Playlist |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-20-023/ |publisher=Library of Congress – National Recording Registry |access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name=BBC-Mar2020>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=March 25, 2020 |title=The Village People's YMCA is preserved for posterity |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52033153 |work=BBC News |access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref> In its official press release, the Library noted that "back in its heyday, 'Y.M.C.A.' was a hit around the world, going to No. 1 on the charts in over 15 countries, and its ongoing popularity is evidence that, despite the naysayers, disco has never truly died."<ref name=NRR-Mar2020 />

==History==
In the US, the [[YMCA]] began building [[single room occupancy]] (SRO) facilities in the 1880s to house men from rural areas who moved into cities to look for work.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |url=https://www.forestparkreview.com/News/Articles/10-26-2005/New-YMCA-would-drop-low_income-housing/ |title=New YMCA would drop low-income housing |last=Stern |first=Seth |date=October 26, 2005 |website=Forestparkreview.com |publisher=Forest Park Review |access-date=December 22, 2018 }}</ref> By the 1970s, the typical YMCA tenants were more likely to be homeless people and youth facing life issues, rather than people migrating from rural areas.<ref name="auto1"/>

[[Victor Willis]], lead singer and lyricist, recalls that while in the studio, producer [[Jacques Morali]] asked him, "What exactly is the YMCA?" After Willis explained it to him, he saw the expression on Morali's face and said, "Don't tell me, Jacques, you want to write a song about it?" and they quickly wrote the track for the album ''[[Cruisin' (Village People album)|Cruisin']]''.<ref>Victor Willis Interview, SiriusXM Radio, Studio 54 Channel, Marc and Myra Show, September 24, 2013</ref>  Upon the song's release, the YMCA threatened to sue the band over trademark infringement, but ultimately settled with the composers out of court, later expressing pride regarding the song's purpose as a tribute to the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/61754/how-did-real-ymca-react-disco-song-about-it|title=How Did the Real YMCA React to the Disco Song About It?|date=February 20, 2015|website=Mentalfloss.com|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref>

In 2015, Willis won a legal case against Can't Stop Productions, successfully claiming that he and Morali had written this and other Village People songs together, without any involvement from executive producer [[Henri Belolo]], who was credited on the song's original release.  The production company claimed that Belolo had written French lyrics that were then adapted by Willis, but this claim was rejected by the court which ruled that Belolo's name as co-writer should be removed.<ref>[https://completemusicupdate.com/article/victor-willis-wins-a-50-stake-in-ymca/  Chris Cooke, "Victor Willis wins a 50% stake in YMCA", ''CMU.com'', 6 March 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110011235/https://completemusicupdate.com/article/victor-willis-wins-a-50-stake-in-ymca/ |date=November 10, 2021 }}. Retrieved August 6, 2019</ref>

==Composition and background==
===Lyrical content===
Taken at face value, the song's [[lyrics]] extol the virtues of the Young Men's Christian Association ([[YMCA]]). However, according to some in the [[Sexuality and gender identity-based cultures#Gay male culture|gay culture]], the song was implicitly understood as celebrating YMCA's reputation as a popular [[cruising for sex|cruising]] and [[casual sex|hookup]] spot, particularly for the younger men to whom it was addressed.<ref>Neumann, Caryn E. glbtq: An Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Culture [http://www.glbtqarchive.com/ssh/ymca_S.pdf YMCA]</ref> The initial goal of Village People producers Morali and Belolo was to attract disco's gay audience by featuring popular gay fantasy in their music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3492500086.html|title=The Village People|website=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref> Although co-creator Morali was gay and the group was initially intended to target gay men, the group became more popular and more mainstream over time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gawker.com/village-person-says-y-m-c-a-isnt-about-gays-is-pro-1493380284|title=Village Person Says "Y.M.C.A." Isn't About Gays, Is Probably Lying|last=Juzwiak|first=Rich|website=Gawker.com|date=January 2, 2014 |language=en-US|access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref>

Willis has maintained that he did not write "Y.M.C.A." as a [[gay anthem]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/macho-man-y-m-c-a-about-straight-fun-publicist-1.251160 |title='Macho Man,' 'Y.M.C.A.' about straight fun: publicist |publisher=CTV News |date=August 2, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220183557/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070802/village_people_070802?s_name=&no_ads= |archive-date=February 20, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.towleroad.com/2007/08/village-people-.html |title=Village People Cop: Y.M.C.A. Not about Gay Cruising |date=August 3, 2007 |access-date=June 13, 2013}}</ref> and that lyrics such as "hang[ing] out with all the boys" was "simply 1970s Black slang for Black guys hanging out together for sports, gambling or whatever".<ref name="Guardian 2024" /> However, Willis has often acknowledged his fondness for [[double entendre]].<ref>{{cite news|title = Gay Village People Co-Founder Says 'YMCA' Not A Gay Song|newspaper = [[HuffPost]] Canada|first = Benjamin|last = Boles|date = February 7, 2014|access-date = November 28, 2021|url = https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/the-village-people-ymca_n_5543849}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Victor Willis on life & music, post-Village People|first = George|last = Varga|date = August 2, 2015|url = https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-victor-willis-interview-2015aug02-story.html|access-date = December 19, 2016|newspaper = [[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]}}</ref>

In 2024, Willis reiterated his denial that "Y.M.C.A." was written as a gay anthem, that people needed to "get their minds out of the gutter", that the "false assumptions were damaging to the song", and further said, "my wife will start suing each and every news organization that falsely refers to Y.M.C.A. [as] a gay anthem".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schwanemann |first1=Kaitlyn |title=Village People singer defends Trump's use of 'Y.M.C.A.,' says song isn't a 'gay anthem' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/village-people-singer-defends-trumps-use-ymc-says-song-isnt-gay-anthem-rcna182538 |website=NBC News |date=December 2, 2024 |access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Padgett |first1=Donald |title=Village People founder bizarrely defends use of 'Y.M.C.A.' by Trump |url=https://www.out.com/gay-music/ymca-village-people-trump |website=Out |access-date=6 December 2024 |ref=Out |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241206213630/https://www.out.com/gay-music/ymca-village-people-trump |archive-date=6 December 2024}}</ref> Willis also added that "I don't mind that gays think of YMCA as their anthem."<ref name="Guardian 2024">{{cite news |title=YMCA has never been gay, says the song's lyricist and singer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/dec/05/ymca-has-never-been-gay-says-the-songs-lyricist-and-singer |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=5 December 2024}}</ref>

While describing his love for the song, U.S. president Donald Trump said, "They call it the gay national anthem. 'Y.M.C.A.' gets people up and it gets them moving."<ref name="NY Mag Trump gay">{{cite news |last1=Hartmann |first1=Margaret |title=Trump Explains His Love of 'Y.M.C.A.,' Which He Claims Is the 'Gay National Anthem' |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/03/donald-trump-loves-ymca-gay-national-anthem.html |access-date=November 24, 2024 |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220311163553/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/03/donald-trump-loves-ymca-gay-national-anthem.html|archive-date=2022-03-11}}</ref>

In an article for ''Gothamist'', writer Abbey White states the atmosphere of the YMCA was "more complicated than the lyrics portray, with gay culture and working-class workouts coexisting in a single communal space", creating "a mix of white-collar and blue-collar residents, along with retired seniors and veterans", with about half of the residents being gay.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/the-real-story-of-the-ymca-that-inspired-the-village-peoples-gay-anthem |title=The Real Story Of The YMCA That Inspired The Village People's Gay Anthem= |last=White |first=Abbey |date=December 20, 2018 |publisher=Gothamist |access-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220142205/http://gothamist.com/2018/12/20/real_ymca_village_people.php |archive-date=December 20, 2018 }}</ref> While the song gives the impression that YMCA's [[single-room occupancy]] (SRO) units in the 1970s had a party atmosphere, Paul Groth states that YMCA SROs actually had "more supervision of your social life — a kind of management as to how you behaved ... [than] in a commercial rooming house, which mostly wanted to make sure the rooms were rented", without monitoring who you brought to your room.<ref name="auto"/>

===Song structure===
The song, played in the [[key (music)|key]] of [[G♭ major]], begins with 6 bars of a D♭ suspended chord over a bare disco drum beat. This is followed by a [[brass instruments|brass]] riff, backed by the constant pulse that typified disco. Many different instruments are used throughout for an overall orchestral feel, another disco convention, but it is brass that stands out.

As with other Village People hits, the lead vocals are handled by Willis and the background vocals are supplied by Willis and professional background singers. The distinctive vocal line features the repeated "Young man!" [[ecphonesis]], followed by Willis singing the verse lines. The background vocals join in throughout the song.

Willis' version of the song is used in the Village People film ''[[Can't Stop the Music]]'', though by that time [[Ray Simpson]] had replaced him as the policeman.

==Reception==
''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' stated that "Y.M.C.A." is "another example of [the Village People's] droll humor, playing off its gayness with hard hat themes."<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Single Picks|newspaper=Billboard|date=October 14, 1978|page=78|access-date=June 30, 2020|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-10-14.pdf}}</ref>  ''Billboard'' also called "Y.M.C.A." (and its B-side, "The Women") one of the best cuts on the ''Cruisin{{'}}'' album.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Album Picks|page=82|date=October 7, 1978|access-date=June 30, 2020|newspaper=Billboard|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-10-07.pdf}}</ref>  ''[[Cash Box]]'' said that "Y.M.C.A." has "layered horn work and strings and a bright, soaring chorus" and that "Willis' lead vocals are commanding."<ref name=cb>{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=October 21, 1978|page=28|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2022-01-01|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-10-21.pdf}}</ref>  ''[[Record World]]'' said that it "has the same foot-stomping bass line and tongue-in-cheek lyrics" as previous Village People hit "[[Macho Man (song)|Macho Man]]" and that "the vocals are strong and the production thunderous".<ref name=rw>{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=October 21, 1978|accessdate=2023-02-13|title=Hits of the Week|page=3|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/78/RW-1978-10-21.pdf}}</ref>

Despite not reaching No. 1 in the United States, it became a No. 1 hit throughout the world and has since remained popular at parties, sporting events, weddings.

==Music video==
The accompanying music video for "Y.M.C.A.", filmed in [[New York City]] in July 1978, features the band singing the song and dancing all over the city. The location shown the most is the original site of [[YMCA of Greater New York|YMCA, McBurney]], 213 West 23rd Street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://flatironnomad.nyc/the-district/history/|title=History|website=Flatiron NoMad}}</ref> Other filming locations included 395 West Street – site of the [[Ramrod (gay club)|Ramrod]] gay club – the West Side Piers and [[Hudson River Park]]. It ends with the camera zooming in on the [[Empire State Building]].

==Origin of dance and hand movement==
[[Image:YMCA dance.jpg|thumb|The YMCA dance demonstrated in a [[photomontage]]. In this rendition, the M (second from left) is done in a popular variant.]]
[[Image:Ymca dance.jpg|thumb|Members of the grounds crew of [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]] pause to do the YMCA dance.]]
''YMCA'' is also the name of a group dance with cheerleader Y-M-C-A choreography invented to fit the song. One of the phases involves moving arms to form the letters Y-M-C-A as they are sung in the chorus:

:Y {{emdash}} arms outstretched and raised upwards
:M {{emdash}} made by bending the elbows from the 'Y' pose so the fingertips meet in front of the chest<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialvillagepeople.com/VP%20Live%20page/pages/020_20.htm |title=Official Village People website, July 4, 2004 |publisher=Officialvillagepeople.com |access-date=August 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214163935/http://www.officialvillagepeople.com/VP%20Live%20page/pages/020_20.htm |archive-date=February 14, 2012 }}</ref>
:C {{emdash}} arms extended to the left
:A {{emdash}} hands held together above head

The dance originated during the group's performance of the song on the January 6, 1979 episode of ''[[American Bandstand]]''. Host [[Dick Clark]] then said to Willis that he would like to show him something, playing the song again with the audience doing YMCA hand gestures.<ref name="American Bandstand 1978">''American Bandstand'' 1978</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title= Rick Springfield, Jill Zarin, Terry Fator and the Village People |series=[[Oprah: Where Are They Now?]] |date=February 7, 2014|access-date= November 6, 2020|url=http://www.oprah.com/own-where-are-they-now/who-inspired-the-ymca-dance-moves-video |network=OWN |season=3|number=306|last=Winfrey|first=Oprah (host)}}</ref> Willis immediately picked up on the dance and mimicked the hand movements back at the audience as other Village People members stared at him with puzzled looks. Clark then turned to Willis and said, "Victor, think you can work this dance into your routine?"  Willis responded, "I think we're gonna have to."<ref name="American Bandstand 1978"/> In a 2008 retrospective article for ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', Randy Jones explained that the dance originated as a misunderstanding: the group's original choreographed dance had the group clapping above their heads during the chorus and the audience, believing them to be making the letter "Y", began following suit.<ref name=Oralhistory>{{cite web|last1=Pearlman|first1=Jeff|title=Y.M.C.A (An Oral History)|website=Spin.com|date=May 27, 2008|url=http://www.spin.com/2008/05/ymca-oral-history/|access-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref>

Following the sixth inning of [[New York Yankees]] [[baseball]] games at [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee]] [[Yankee Stadium|Stadium]], the grounds crew traditionally grooms the [[infielder|infield]] while leading the crowd in the dance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theweblicist.com/wordpress/2007/08/05/ny-yankee-stadium-7th-inning-stretch/|title=NY- Yankee Stadium- 7th Inning Stretch|work=I Photo New York|access-date=April 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407085452/http://theweblicist.com/wordpress/2007/08/05/ny-yankee-stadium-7th-inning-stretch/|archive-date=April 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Bleacher Creatures]] used to sing "why are you gay?" to the tune when it was played but agreed in 2010 to stop doing it.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/15542 | title=Yankee Stadium's Bleacher Creatures agree to put a halt to homophobic chant | date=October 17, 2010 }}</ref>

==Impact and legacy==
[[VH1]] placed "Y.M.C.A." at #7 on their list of "100 Greatest Dance Songs" in 2000,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/vh1dance.htm|title=Rock On The Net: VH1: 100 Greatest Dance Songs|website=Rockonthenet.com}}</ref> while ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste Magazine]]'' ranked the song #1 on their list of "The 60 Best Dancefloor Classics" in February 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/dance/the-60-best-dance-floor-classics/|title=The 60 Best Dancefloor Classics|date=February 28, 2017|publisher=Paste Magazine|access-date=November 28, 2021|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918130740/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/dance/the-60-best-dance-floor-classics//|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2022, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked it #139 in their list of "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".<ref>{{cite magazine|first1=Jon|last1=Dolan|first2=Julyssa|last2=Lopez|first3=Michaelangelo|last3=Matos|first4=Claire|last4=Shaffer|title=200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/200-greatest-dance-songs-of-all-time-1372888|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 22, 2022|accessdate=October 30, 2022}}</ref> In 2024, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' placed "Y.M.C.A." at #61 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Jock Jams of All Time".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Billboard Staff|title=The 100 Greatest Jock Jams of All Time|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-jock-jams-sports-songs-all-time|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=February 8, 2024|access-date=May 25, 2024}}</ref>

The Village People recorded a version of the song for [[Pepsi]] in 1997 for a commercial featuring a group of dancing bears, changing the lyrics to match the drink and spelling out P-E-P-S-I.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/vlEZnIH_tyA]{{dead link|date=June 2022}}</ref> A few months afterwards, Pepsi used the song again as part of its new blue-themed imaging for the [[Pepsi Globe]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/4pvOkk-E_zY]{{dead link|date=June 2022}}</ref> In September 2000 "Y.M.C.A." was used as the [[Space Shuttle]] wake-up call on day 11 of [[STS-106]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-106/html/ndexpage.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001017173545/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-106/html/ndexpage.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2000 |title=Audio Wakeup Call Index |publisher=Spaceflight.nasa.gov |access-date=August 19, 2011}}</ref> On December 31, 2008, "Y.M.C.A." set a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] when 40,148 people danced to Village People's live performance of the song at the [[2008 Sun Bowl]] game in [[El Paso, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Largest "YMCA" dance |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-ymca-dance |website=[[Guinness World Records]] |access-date=January 21, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web archived|last=Peterson |first=Jan |url=https://tv.yahoo.com/news/dancing-without-stars-ymca-other-record-breaking-dance-20110202-225100-660.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220154400/https://tv.yahoo.com/news/dancing-without-stars-ymca-other-record-breaking-dance-20110202-225100-660.html |title=Dancing Without the Stars: "YMCA" and Other Record-Breaking Dance Events |publisher=Yahoo TV |date=February 2, 2012|archive-date=February 20, 2014}}</ref>

In 2001 it was part of the "Swamp Karaoke Dance Party" in ''[[Shrek]]'' (2001) performed by Monsieur Hood and the Merry Men.

In 2012, in a landmark ruling in accordance with the [[Copyright Act of 1976]], Willis terminated his copyrights granted to the publishers Can't Stop Productions and Scorpio Music.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/village-people-ymca-lawsuit-victor-willis-321576 |title=Village People Songwriter Victor Willis Wins Case Over Termination of 'Y.M.C.A.' Rights |publisher=Hollywood Reporter |date= May 8, 2012|access-date=March 28, 2014 |first=Eriq |last=Gardner}}</ref>
In March 2015, it was determined that the sole writers of the song were Morali and Willis.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/jury-decides-village-people-ymca-779420|title=Jury Decides Village People 'Y.M.C.A.' Songwriter Has 100 Percent Song Share|author=Eriq Gardner|date=March 5, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>

In March 2020, the US [[Library of Congress]] added the song to its [[National Recording Registry]], which preserves for posterity audio that is "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52033153|work=[[BBC News]]|title=The Village People's YMCA is preserved for posterity|date=March 25, 2020}}</ref>  In December 2020, "Y.M.C.A." was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]].<ref name="grammy.com"/>

===Donald Trump===
[[President of the United States|U.S. president]] [[Donald Trump]] began using the song (as well as another Village People song, "[[Macho Man (song)|Macho Man]]") to close out his rallies during [[Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign|his 2020 re-election campaign]]. Willis initially approved its use but after several incidents involving the [[Black Lives Matter]] protests, he demanded Trump stop, although he later relaxed his stance.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Blistein|first1=Jon|date=June 8, 2020|title=Village People Singer Victor Willis Tells Trump to Stop Using Their Music at Rallies|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/village-people-singer-victor-willis-trump-ymca-macho-man-rally-1011613/|access-date=October 25, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref name="tmz.2024">{{cite web | url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/10/15/village-people-singer-says-trumps-use-of-ymca-is-good-for-business/ | title=Village People Singer Says Trump's Use of 'YMCA' is Good for Business | date=October 15, 2024 }}</ref> ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' parodied the song and the group's reaction with a "[[cease and desist]]" on the October 24, 2020 segment of ''[[Weekend Update]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Keveney|first=Bill|title='SNL' Weekend Update: Village People rewrite lyrics to order Trump to stop playing 'Y.M.C.A.'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/10/25/snl-village-people-trump-ymca/6031261002/|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=USA Today}}</ref> As a result of the renewed attention, the song was back in the Top 20 on [[iTunes]] in November 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=Village People's "Y.M.C.A"" Is Top 20 On US iTunes |author=Mike Wass |website=idolator |date=3 November 2020 |url=https://www.idolator.com/7915833/village-peoples-y-m-c-a-is-top-20-on-us-itunes }}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and hit the #2 spot on the Billboard Dance Digital Song Sales chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-electronic-digital-song-sales/2020-11-14|title = Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales Chart|magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date = January 24, 2013}}</ref> On November 6, following the media's declaration that [[Joe Biden]] had taken the lead in Pennsylvania over Trump in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]], Biden supporters celebrated by dancing in the streets and singing the song across the city of Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/video-philadelphia-residents-celebrate-joe-bidens-victory-in-the-state-2020-11|title = Philadelphians are dancing in the streets to celebrate Joe Biden's lead in Pennsylvania|website = [[Business Insider]]}}</ref> Trump blared the song over loudspeakers as he boarded [[Air Force One]] on January 20, 2021, en route to [[Florida]] before [[inauguration of Joe Biden|Biden's inauguration]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Amatulli|first=Jenna|date=January 20, 2021|title=Trump Ends Presidency Blasting 'YMCA' As He Boards Air Force One, Twitter Takes Off|work=Huffpost|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-village-people-ymca_n_60083bd4c5b62c0057c20812|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref>

In his [[Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign|2024 presidential campaign]], Trump once again used the song at his rallies, usually performing [[Trump dance|his signature dance]] while it played. Willis lamented his use of the song since 2020 and even considered a lawsuit to block Trump from using it. Ultimately, Willis decided there was "not much he can do about it" and decided it was "beneficial" to have the song back on the charts, stating it was "good for business."<ref name="tmz.2024"/>

In January 2025, Village People performed the song at several events for Trump's [[Second inauguration of Donald Trump|second inauguration]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump dances to 'YMCA' with Village People at pre-inaugural victory rally |first1=Kelsey|last1=Walsh |first2=Soo Rin|last2=Kim|first3=Lalee|last3=Ibssa|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-dances-ymca-village-people-pre-inaugural-victory/story?id=117870577 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=January 20, 2025|accessdate=February 12, 2025}}</ref>

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1978–1979)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=329}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/chartfeatures/aus/aus70.htm |title= Australia n°1 Hits – 70's |publisher= Worldcharts.co.uk |access-date= June 10, 2013 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140424142031/http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/chartfeatures/aus/aus70.htm |archive-date= April 24, 2014 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{Single chart|Austria|1|artist=Village People|song=Y.M.C.A.}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|1|artist=Village People|song=Y.M.C.A.}}
|-
|Canada Top Singles ([[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']])<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0091a&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=u9874ano8k0c5b6bkp4r8qrbp3 |title= Y.M.C.A. in Canadian Top Singles Chart |publisher= Library and Archives Canada |access-date= June 3, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121228014032/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php |archive-date= December 28, 2012 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|Canada Adult Contemporary ([[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']])<ref name="RPM">{{cite web |url= http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0075&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=u9874ano8k0c5b6bkp4r8qrbp3 |title= Y.M.C.A. in Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart |publisher= Library and Archives Canada |access-date= June 3, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160316052205/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0075&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=u9874ano8k0c5b6bkp4r8qrbp3 |archive-date= March 16, 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|Canada Disco Singles ([[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']])<ref name="RPM"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|Canada Top 15 12inch ([[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']])<ref name="RPM"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|Finland ([[Suomen virallinen lista]])
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|France ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]])<ref name="FR">{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Number1_70.php |title=Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70 |publisher=Infodisc.fr |date=June 3, 2013 |language=fr |access-date=June 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330183336/http://infodisc.fr/Number1_70.php |archive-date=March 30, 2014 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|Ireland ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref name="Ireland singles charts">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement |title=Ireland singles charts |publisher=Irishcharts.ie |access-date=May 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602061251/http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement |archive-date=June 2, 2009 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|Italy ([[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|FIMI]])
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|1|year=1979|week=3}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|1|artist=Village People|song=Y.M.C.A.}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Village People|song=Y.M.C.A.}}
|-
{{single chart|Norway|2|artist=Village People|song=Y.M.C.A.}}
|-
|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(V).html |title= Y.M.C.A. in South African Chart |author= John Samson |access-date= June 3, 2013}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
|Spain ([[Productores de Música de España|AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st |date=February 1979|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|1|artist=Village People|song=Y.M.C.A.}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Village People|song=Y.M.C.A.}}
|-
|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK">{{cite web |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/village%20people/ |title= Village People |publisher= Official Charts Company |access-date= June 3, 2013}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|2|artist=Village People|access-date=August 8, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|2|artist=Village People|access-date=August 8, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|32|artist=Village People|access-date=August 8, 2021}}
|-
|US [[Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles|''Cash Box'' Top 100]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790203.html|title=Cash Box Top 100 2/03/79|website=Tropicalglen.com|access-date=August 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214174823/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790203.html|archive-date=February 14, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
{{single chart|West Germany|1|artist=Village People|song=Y.M.C.A.|songid=546|access-date=February 13, 2019}}
|}
{{col-2}}

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1993–1994) (Y.M.C.A. '93)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/IAzkwcC.jpg|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 03 Apr 1994|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|76
|-
|Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-12-11.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=10|issue=50|date=December 11, 1993|page=23|access-date=March 24, 2024}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|36
|-
|France ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]])<ref name="FR"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|90
|-
|Ireland ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref name="Ireland singles charts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
|New Zealand ([[RIANZ]])<ref>{{cite web |url= https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Village+People&titel=Y%2EM%2EC%2EA%2E+%2793+Remix&cat=s |title= Y.M.C.A. '93 in New Zealand Chart |publisher= IRMA |access-date= June 6, 2013}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|46
|-
|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
|UK Airplay ([[Official Charts Company|ERA]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Hit-Music/1994/Hit-Music-1994-01-15.pdf|title=Airplay 100|magazine=[[Hit Music]]|date=January 15, 1994|page=19|access-date=May 6, 2024}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|88
|-
|UK Dance Singles (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref name="Music-Week.1993">{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-12-04.pdf |title= Dance Singles |magazine= [[Music Week]] |date= December 4, 1993 |page= 22 |accessdate= April 9, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|10
|-
|[[Record Mirror Club Chart|UK Club Chart]] (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref name="Music-Week.1993"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|47
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1999)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|35
|-
|[[UK Dance Singles Chart|UK Dance]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19991107/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40|publisher=officialcharts.com}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|28
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (2024)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|[[Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/village-people/chart-history/ddt/ | title=Chart History, Village People | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref>
!1
|-
|[[TikTok Billboard Top 50]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="TikTok Billboard Top 50">{{cite magazine|title=TikTok Billboard Top 50 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/tiktok-billboard-top-50/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>
!15
|}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!align="left"|Chart (1978)
! style="text-align:center;"|Rank
|-
|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/0gmvDHH.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978|publisher=[[Kent Music Report]]|via=Imgur.com|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|50
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!align="left"|Chart (1979)
! style="text-align:center;"|Rank
|-
|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref name="australian-charts.com">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=40275|title=australian-charts.com – Forum – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)|first=Steffen|last=Hung|website=Australian-charts.com|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name="aus79">{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/VVyraDN.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 288 – 31 December 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1979|publisher=[[Kent Music Report]]|via=Imgur.com|access-date=10 January 2023}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|15
|-
|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=1979|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 1979|website=austriancharts.at|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1979|title=Jaaroverzichten 1979|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6855a&URLjpg=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f4/nlc008388.6855a.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6855a|title=Image : RPM Weekly|first=Library and Archives|last=Canada|date=July 17, 2013|website=Collectionscanada.ca|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1979|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1979|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|22
|-
|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1979&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1979|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
|New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3868|title=The Official New Zealand Music Chart|website=Nztop40.co.nz|access-date=August 13, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704164437/http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3868|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|11
|-
|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1979|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1979|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Singles 1979 |magazine=[[Music Week]] |publisher=Spotlight Publications |location=London, England |page=27 |date=22 December 1979}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|26
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1979.htm|title=Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979|website=Musicoutfitters.com|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|US ''Cash Box'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html|title=Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1979|website=Tropicalglen.com|access-date=August 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713094315/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html|archive-date=July 13, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
|West Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1979|title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts|language=German|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|}

===All-time charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Chart (1958–2018)
! Position
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary|title=Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 10, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|338
|}

{{col-end}}

==Certifications and sales==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''Y.M.C.A.''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|title=YMCA|artist=Village People|nocert=true|relyear=1978|salesamount=300,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-05-12.pdf|title=From The Music Capitals Of The World – Brussels|publisher=Billboard|first=Juul|last=Anthonissen|page=69|date=May 12, 1979 |access-date=July 28, 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|title=YMCA|artist=Village People|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1979|access-date=March 29, 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|title=YMCA|artist=Village People|award=Gold|id=11487|certyear=2022|access-date=July 18, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|title=Y.M.C.A.|artist=Village People|award=Gold|certyear=1979|salesamount=1,400,000|source=infodisc|salesref=<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1978.htm|title=TOP – 1978|author=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] (SNEP)|editor=Fabrice Ferment|access-date=March 11, 2022|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111092235/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1978.htm|archive-date=January 11, 2021|via=Top-France.fr|oclc=469523661}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|title=Y.M.C.A.|artist=Village People|award=Gold|relyear=1978|certyear=1979|salesamount=1,000,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nCQEAAAAMBAJ&q=germany%27s+metronome+label+booming|title=Germany's Metronome Label Booming|magazine=[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]|first=Wolfgang|last=Spahr|volume=91|issue=30|page=9|date=July 28, 1979|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=March 11, 2022}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|title=YMCA|artist=Village People|award=Gold|relyear=1978|certyear=2019|note=sales since 2009|access-date=November 27, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|title=YMCA|artist=Village People|nocert=true|salesamount=500,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1SQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=JApan+village+people+500,000+billboard&pg=PT124|title='Navy' Cover Conflict Breaks Out In Japan|magazine=[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]|via=Google Books|volume=91|issue=19|page=65|date=May 12, 1979|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=February 9, 2022}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|title=Y.M.C.A.|type=single|artist=Village People|award=Platinum|relyear=1978|certyear=1979|salesamount=250,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hAkEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22italy%22+%22no+Silver+disk+for+singles%22|title=Gold/Silver Record Chart|publisher=Billboard|date=December 26, 1974|access-date=April 15, 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|title=YMCA|artist=Village People|award=Gold|certyear=2024|access-date=1 July 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=Y.M.C.A.|artist=Village People|award=Platinum|relyear=1978|certyear=1979|id=8385-1353-1|access-date=March 29, 2012|salesamount=1,500,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/pride-special-celebrating-the-biggest-selling-singles-by-lgbt-artists__15453/|title=Pride special: Celebrating the biggest selling singles by LGBT artists|publisher=The Official Charts Company|date=June 25, 2016}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|title=Y.M.C.A.|artist=Village People|award=Platinum|relyear=1978|certyear=1979|access-date=March 29, 2012}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|type=single|title=Y.M.C.A.|artist=Village People|nocert=true|salesamount=12,000,000|salesref=<ref name="wwsales">{{cite news|title= Glenn Hughes |date=March 16, 2001|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1326570/Glenn-Hughes.html |newspaper= [[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=November 26, 2020|location= London |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120316005916/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1326570/Glenn-Hughes.html |archive-date=March 16, 2012|url-status= live}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

==Hideki Saijo version==
{{Infobox song
| name       = Young Man (Y.M.C.A.)
| cover      = YMCASaijo.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Hideki Saijo]]
| album      = Young Man/Hideki Flying Up
| B-side     = Hideki Disco Special
| released   = February 21, 1979
| recorded   =
| studio     =
| venue      =
| genre      = [[Kayokyoku]]
| length     = 4:43
| label      = {{hlist|[[RCA Records|RCA]]|[[Sony Music Entertainment Japan|RVC]]}}
| writer     = {{hlist|[[Jacques Morali]]|[[Victor Willis]]|[[Henri Belolo]]|Ryuji Amagai}}
| producer   = Kazuo Ohtani
| prev_title = Harukanaru Koibito e
| prev_year  = 1978
| next_title = Hop Step Jump
| next_year  = 1979
}}

In [[1979 in Japanese music|1979]], Japanese singer [[Hideki Saijo]] covered the song for his compilation album ''Young Man/Hideki Flying Up'' as "'''Young Man (Y.M.C.A.)'''". In Japan, the cover topped on the [[Oricon]] chart for five consecutive weeks and became the seventh best-selling single of 1979 in Japan. For the cover, the lyrics were re-written in Japanese by Saijo's manager, Ryuji Amagai. Most of the lyrics have been changed to encourage young people. This version is also notable for having a call-and-response in the middle where Saijo and a group of child singers chant the letters "Y M C A" back and forth.

===Commercial performance===
"Young Man (Y.M.C.A.)" debuted at number two on the [[Oricon Weekly Singles Chart]], and in the following week, it reached number one, where it stayed for five consecutive weeks. The song finally became the seventh best-selling single of 1979 in Japan and Saijo's best-selling single to date, with the sales of 808,000 copies.

Following the death of Saijo on 16 May 2018, the song re-entered the chart, peaking at number fifteen on the [[Billboard Japan Hot 100]].<ref name="japanhot100">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/chart_insight/detail?kind=h100&date=2018-05-28&main=130071#graph_sort=chartin&rank_or_point=rank&show_week=150|title=YOUNG MAN(Y.M.C.A.)|work=[[Billboard Japan]]|language=ja|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>

===Accolades===
"Young Man (Y.M.C.A.)" won the Grand Prix at the [[FNS Music Festival|FNS Music Festival '79]] and the [[Japan Music Awards|10th Japan Music Awards]]. Despite the hit, the song was disqualified for the [[21st Japan Record Awards]] due to the competition's guideline that requires the songs to be original work. At the award, Saijo instead won the golden award for his single, "Yuki ga Areba" (1979).

===Cover versions===
"Young Man (Y.M.C.A.)" has been covered by multiple other Asian musicians, including [[Keisuke Kuwata]], [[Aska (singer)|Aska]], [[George Lam]], [[Yang Kun]], and [[E-girls]].
It was covered by the [[Minions (Despicable Me)|Minions]] in the 2013 animated film ''[[Despicable Me 2]]''.

===Track listing===
'''7-inch single'''
# "Young Man (Y.M.C.A.)" – 4:43
# "Hideki Disco Special" (Medley)

===Charts===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

====Weekly charts====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;"|Chart (1979)
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br />position
|-
|align="left"|Japan ([[Oricon]])<ref name="saijooricon">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2111628/full/|title=西城秀樹さん、「YOUNG MAN」などヒット曲多数 男性ソロ歴代6位のシングル総売上1159万枚
|work=[[Oricon]]|date=May 18, 2018
|language=ja|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;"|Chart (2018)
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br />position
|-
|align="left"|Japan ([[Billboard Japan Hot 100|Japan Hot 100]])<ref name="japanhot100"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|15
|}
{{col-2}}

====Year-end charts====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;"|Chart (1979)
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br />position
|-
|align="left"|Japan ([[Oricon]])<ref name="saijooricon"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|}

{{col-end}}

==Touché version==
{{Infobox song
| name          = Y.M.C.A.
| cover         =
| alt           =
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Touché (band)|Touché]]
| album         = Kids In America
| B-side        =
| released      = September 14, 1998
| recorded      = 1998
| studio        =
| venue         =
| genre         = [[Eurodance]]
| length        = 3:09 {{small|(single version)}}<br />3:14 {{small|(album version)}}
| label         = [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]], [[Hansa Records|Hansa]]
| writer        = [[Jacques Morali]], [[Victor Willis]]
| producer      = [[Dieter Bohlen]]
| prev_title    = I'll Give You My Heart
| prev_year     = 1998
| next_title    = This Goodbye Is Not Forever
| next_year     = 1998
}}

In 1998, [[Touché (band)|Touché]] covered the hit for their album ''Kids in America'' with Krayzee. In this version Touche take over the vocal parts and only the rap contributes to Krayzee. In [[Belgium]], this cover version was a top ten hit, while the success in the German-speaking countries, however, was rather modest.

===Music video===
In the music video Touche and Krayzee perform the song in a city area, accompanied by elaborate effects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPh19tG7D-Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/SPh19tG7D-Y| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Touche – YMCA (ft. Krayzee, prod. Dieter Bohlen)|date=April 2011 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Track listing===
'''CD maxi'''

# "YMCA" (Rap Version) – 3:09
# "YMCA" (Vocal Version) – 3:14
# "Promise To Believe" (Touché) – 3:57
# "I Want Your Body" (Touché) – 3:19

===Charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;"|Chart (1998)
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br />position
|-
|align="left"|German Singles Chart
| style="text-align:center;"|31
|-
|align="left"|Austrian Singles Chart
| style="text-align:center;"|31
|-
|align="left"|Swiss Singles Chart
| style="text-align:center;"|23<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/song/Touche-feat.-Krayzee/YMCA-3765|title=Touché feat. Krayzee – YMCA – hitparade.ch|website=Hitparade.ch}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Belgium (Flanders) ([[Ultratop]])
| style="text-align:center;"|10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/eb5/touche-feat.-krayzee-ymca|title=Touché feat. Krayzee – YMCA|website=Ultratop.be}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
* [[1978 in music]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{external media
|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS9OO0S5w2k Original 1978 music video]
}}

{{Village People}}
{{Donald Trump}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Y.M.C.A. (Song)}}
[[Category:1978 singles]]
[[Category:1978 songs]]
[[Category:1979 singles]]
[[Category:1998 singles]]
[[Category:Bertelsmann Music Group singles]]
[[Category:Casablanca Records singles]]
[[Category:Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign]]
[[Category:Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign]]
[[Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles]]
[[Category:Hansa Records singles]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related songs]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Australia]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Austria]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Germany]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Italy]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Sweden]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Oricon Weekly number-one singles]]
[[Category:Presidential campaign songs]]
[[Category:RCA Records singles]]
[[Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Jacques Morali]]
[[Category:Songs written by Jacques Morali]]
[[Category:Songs written by Victor Willis]]
[[Category:Sony Music Entertainment Japan singles]]
[[Category:UK singles chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]
[[Category:Village People songs]]
[[Category:YMCA|Song]]
[[Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles]]