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In the Navy
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = In the Navy
| cover = In_the_navy.jpg
| type = single
| artist = Village People
| album = Go West
| B-side = Manhattan Woman
| released = March 17, 1979
| recorded = 1978
| genre = Disco
| length = 5:39 (album version)
3:45 (single edit)
| label = Casablanca
| writer =
| producer = Jacques Morali
| prev_title = Y.M.C.A.
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = Go West
| next_year = 1979
| misc =
}}
"'In the Navy'" is a song by American disco group Village People. It was released as the first single from their fourth studio album, 'Go West' (1979). It was a number one hit in Canada, Flanders, Japan and the Netherlands, while reaching number two in Ireland, Norway and the UK. In 1994, a remix charted at number 36 in the UK. "In the Navy" was the last top 10 hit for the group in the United States.
Background, writing and video
After the enormous commercial success of their 1978 hit "Y.M.C.A." which unexpectedly became the unofficial hymn and powerful advertising tool for the YMCA, the group took on another national institution, the United States Navy. The Navy contacted group manager Henri Belolo to use the song in a recruiting advertising campaign for television and radio. Belolo gave the rights for free on the condition that the Navy help them shoot the music video. Less than a month later, the Village group arrived at Naval Base San Diego where the Navy provided them with access to film on the deck of the berthed frigate USS 'Reasoner'; in the end, the Navy did not use the video, choosing to remain with the traditional "Anchors Aweigh".
In a landmark ruling in 2012, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California ruled that under the Copyright Act of 1976, co-writer Victor Willis (Village People's "Cop"/"Naval officer") can recover his share of the copyrights to songs co-written by him. Willis now owns 33% of his songs.
Critical reception
According to 'Billboard Magazine', "In the Navy" is an "upbeat dance effort [which] showcases the group's familiar theme and sound with this comedic spoof on" the Navy. 'Cash Box' said it has "a vibrant beat, powerful horns, sweeping strings and another knock-out campy lyric."
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications and sales
References
Category:1978 songs
Category:1979 singles
Category:Casablanca Records singles
Category:disco songs
Category:military humor
Category:Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles
Category:song recordings produced by Jacques Morali
Category:songs about sailors
Category:songs about the military
Category:songs written by Jacques Morali
Category:songs written by Victor Willis
Category:Village People songs
Category:works about the United States Navy
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