In The Navy

I recall watching a programme on BBC some time ago. It was running a series of top 20 No. 1 British hits. So there were times when they featured the top 20 rauchiest singles (like Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Relax, Serge Gainbourg's Je T'aime Moi Non Plus) and they introduced the Village People in the top 20 campiest.

And that's where I learnt how the US Navy had wanted to use the Village People hit single In The Navy.

It can be found in Wikipedia as well:

The United States Navy considered using the Village People hit "In the Navy" in a recruiting advertising campaign on television and radio. They contacted Belolo, who decided to give the rights for free on the condition that the Navy help them shoot the music video. Less than a month later, The Village People arrived at the San Diego Naval base. The Navy provided them with a war ship, several airplanes, and hundreds of Navy men. When the video started showing and the Navy started the planned ad campaign, some newspapers protested using taxpayer money to fund music videos (especially for a group considered by some to be "morally dubious"). The Navy quickly cancelled the campaign. The scandal tremendously boosted the popularity of the song.

Extracted from Wikipedia

The US Navy must have been relieved.
In a queer way.

But can you really blame them when the song has lyrics that say:

Where can you find pleasure (oh no)
Search the world for treasure
Learn science technology
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea
Where can you learn to fly
Play in sports and skin dive (skin dive??)
Study oceanography
Sign of for the big band
Or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand (make what stand?)
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand (what for? hold what?)
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man (ah!!)
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you (no kidding)
They want you as a new recruit

If you like adventure
Don't you wait to enter (haha, you serious?)
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate
There is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen fast
Maybe you are too young
To join up today
Bout don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be
Always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

Who me?

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

But, but but I'm afraid of water.
Hey, hey look
Man, I get seasick even watchin' it on TV!

They want you, they want you in the navy

Oh my goodness.
What am I gonna do in a submarine?

They want you, they want you in the navy
It's just my imagination.




.....there's no place like home.....there's no place like home....