by KnutK » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:06 pm
Gay subtext
Many straight listeners were unaware of its camp undertones and thought it was simply a musical celebration of the organization. However, on closer examination, once one is aware of the role of the YMCA in gay history, possible double meanings become clear.
They have everything a young man could enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys ...
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal,
You can do ... whatever you feel!
It references the angst felt by many young gay men:
Young man, I was once in your shoes.
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
The song even seems to suggest at one point that picking up men at the Y is preferable to masturbation:
No man ... does it all by himself,
Young man ... put your pride on the shelf!
And just go there, to the YMCA
I'm sure they can help you today
Det er bedre å drite seg ut enn å dø av forstoppelse....