"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, peaking at number three.
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 worldwide youth organization 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 free on condition that the Navy help them shoot the music video. Less than a month later in June 1978, the 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") could recover his share of the copyrights to songs co-written by him. Willis now owned 33% of his songs.
Another music video for the song was made during production of the 1996 comedy movie Down Periscope, featuring the movie's cast and clips from the movie. The music video is shown during the movie's end credits.
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." Record World called it a "pounding disco number with a chuckle in the lyrics."
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1979)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)7Canada Top Singles (RPM)1 Ecuador (Radio Vision)5Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)3Ireland (IRMA) Only results when searching "In the Navy"2Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Village People".12UK Singles (OCC)2US Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - 3West Germany (Official German Charts)3 Chart (1994)PeakpositionUK Dance (Music Week)18
Year-end charts Chart (1979)RankAustralia (Kent Music Report)51Canada Top 200 (RPM)27UK Top 100 (Record Mirror)49US Billboard Hot 100 48US Cash Box Top 10036
Certifications and sales
In popular culture In the Black Mirror episode "Loch Henry", characters create a parody of "In the Navy" where they change the song's lyrics as a form of gallows humor while describing a site where murders had taken place. It was also used in The Simpsons episode "Simpson Tide", and in The Muppet Show with guest star Roger Moore.
References