Y.M.C.A. – English Lyrics

• By: Village People

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the vibrant world of disco and LGBTQ+ culture with the Village People's “Y.M.C.A.” This song offers a glimpse into the late 1970s, a time of social change and iconic dance moves. Discover how a simple tribute to the YMCA became a cultural phenomenon and a symbol of inclusivity, offering a fun way to learn about music history and cultural shifts.

[English]

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Yeah-hey

I swear to you people, it must be my fate

The cards were against me, now there's no escape

I have this here problem who keeps me up late

My roommate!

My roommate!

He thinks he's the greatest dancer of all time

He never stops dancing, he's out of his mind

In the bathroom singing off key out of time

My roommate!

My roommate!

I can't sleep the day, no, nor night

I can't sleep the day, no, nor night

I can't take much more

My roommate! My roommate!

He's driving me insane

My roommate! My roommate!

He plays so many games

My roommate! My roommate!

He breaks all of the rules

My roommate! My roommate!

He is a dancing fool!

I go to the closet to put on my coat

Instead on the hanger, I find pinned-up notes

I went to the disco, I took your best coat

My roommate!

My roommate!

I come home real early, thinking he is asleep

Instead I am greeted by big ugly feet

I've got this new dance step, 5, 6, 7, 8!

My roommate!

My roommate!

I can't sleep the day, no, nor night

I can't sleep the day, no, nor night

I can't take much more!

He's my roommate! My roommate!

He's driving me insane

My roommate! My roommate!

He plays so many games

My roommate! My roommate!

He breaks all of the rules

My roommate! My roommate!

He is a dancing fool!

My...

He's a dancing fool, y'all!

Let me tell you about him!

Well...

Talkin' 'bout my roommate

My roommate is the kind of guy

Who likes his music playing high

My roommate is the kind of guy

Who likes his music playing high

He dances all night

He dances all day

He dances all night

He dances all day, yeah!

I can't sleep the day, no, nor night

I can't sleep the day, no, nor night

I can't take much more!

He's my roommate! My roommate!

He's driving me insane

My roommate! My roommate!

He plays so many games

My roommate! My roommate!

He breaks all of the rules

My roommate! My roommate!

He is a dancing fool!

He's my best friend!

My roommate! My roommate!

He's driving me insane

He'll give me all his money!

My roommate! My roommate!

He plays so many games

He'll give me all his money!

My roommate! My roommate!

He breaks all of the rules

He's my roommate! My roommate!

He's driving me insane

He's my roommate! My roommate!

He plays so many games

He's my roommate! My roommate!

He breaks all of the rules

He's my roommate! My roommate!

He is a dancing fool!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
fate /feɪt/ B1	noun - the development of events beyond a person's control regarded as determined by a supernatural power
escape /ɪsˈkeɪp/ B2	verb - to get free from a place or situation noun - an act of escaping
problem /ˈprɒb.ləm/ B1	noun - a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with
dancer /ˈdæn.sər/ A2	noun - a person who dances
rules /ruːlz/ A2	noun - established regulations or principles governing conduct
friend /frɛnd/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
music /ˈmjuː.zɪk/ A1	noun - vocal or instrumental sounds combined to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression
dances /ˈdæn.sɪz/ A2	noun - plural of dance; rhythmic movement to music
party /ˈpɑːr.ti/ A2	noun - a social gathering of invited guests
rules /ruːlz/ A2	noun - established regulations or principles governing conduct
fool /fuːl/ B2	noun - a person who acts unwisely or imprudently
clothes /kloʊðz/ A1	noun - garments worn on the body
notes /noʊts/ A2	noun - written or printed material that gives information or is used for musical purposes
disco /ˈdɪs.koʊ/ B2	noun - a nightclub for dancing to recorded music

Key Grammar Structures

• He never stops dancing, he's out of his mind.

  ➔ Present Perfect Simple with 'never' to indicate an action that has not occurred until now.

  ➔ The **present perfect** tense describes an action that occurred at an unspecified time before now, and 'never' emphasizes it has not happened at all.

• I go to the closet to put on my coat.

  ➔ Simple present tense to describe habitual action or routine.

  ➔ The **simple present** tense is used here to express a routine or habitual action that the speaker regularly performs.

• He is a dancing fool!

  ➔ Use of the noun phrase 'a dancing fool' with the verb 'be' to describe a characteristic.

  ➔ The **be** verb ('is') links the subject to its description 'a dancing fool', which characterizes the roommate's behavior.

• He plays so many games.

  ➔ Simple present tense to describe habitual or repeated actions.

  ➔ The **simple present** tense here indicates a characteristic behavior of the roommate, implying it is a regular occurrence.

• He's driving me insane!

  ➔ Present continuous tense showing an action that is happening now and causing frustration.

  ➔ The **present continuous** tense ('He's driving') emphasizes that the action is happening at the current moment and is ongoing, leading to emotional effect.

• He breaks all of the rules.

  ➔ Simple present tense with 'breaks' to denote habitual or general truth about infringing rules.

  ➔ The **simple present** tense ('breaks') conveys that the roommate habitually or generally tends to violate rules.

• He is a dancing fool!

  ➔ Use of the noun phrase 'a dancing fool' with the verb 'be' to describe a characteristic.

  ➔ The **be** verb ('is') links the subject to its description 'a dancing fool', which characterizes the roommate's behavior.