Macho Man - Village People (1978) 4/2/23

Wanted: Men with mustaches. Must be macho and be able to sing and dance."

In 1977, producers Jacques Morali and Hentry Belolo ran that want ad in underground newspapers in the Greenwich Village area of NYC.

Jacques had been a part of the LGBTQ disco scene for quite a while, and wanted to tap into the growing fad of men dressing up in macho" costumes for a night of "clubbing," by creating a disco group made up of Iconic archetypes.

Things happened fast: In short order, he hired Randy Jones (The Cowboy), Felipe Rose (The Native American), David Hodo (The Construction Worker), Alex Briley (The Soldier), Glenn Hughes (The Biker) and Victor Willis (The Policeman).

A week or so later, they were in the studio recording today's "Great Song of 1978" while reading handwritten lyrics off a coffee-and-egg-stained breakfast napkin.

"Macho Man" became the title of their debut album, and when it was released as a single, it first became a huge hit in the LGBTQ clubs, and then it crossed into the mainstream. In the end, it peaked at #14 on the Dance Chart and #25 on the Hot 100.

The song remains a classic...in part because it's so much fun. But it's interesting to note that Randy Jones says the song is about self-confidence--as opposed to just "playing dress-up and dancing." And Victor Willis says the song was written from a straight (not gay) perspective.

Critics ignored the issue altogether, and praised the music itself.

Billboard called it a "spirited fast paced percussive track highlighted by multi -part harmonies and a rugged lead vocal.

Cash Box predicted it would be "a dance floor hit." Record World called it "energetic...with a touch of humor."

Over the years, "Macho Man" has been used in several films, including "Adams Family Values," "The Nutty Professor," and "Terminator 3...and TV shows like Friends," "Ally McBeal," 3rd Rock from the Sun," "Scrubs," and "Jane the Virgin."

"Macho Man" by the Village People: an iconic trailblazer, a classic dance tune, and a "Great Song of 1978!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bLRaGo-Qwc