Canadian band reimagines Village People's Y.M.C.A. with youth mental health focus
A timeless disco tune is getting a soulful twist as part of a youth mental health program through the YMCA.
Canadian indie pop band Walk off the Earth is known for creative covers of classic hits featuring beautiful harmonies and a wide-array of instruments.
When they were approached by the YMCA to reinvent the Village People's original Y.M.C.A. song, the band says it was a no-brainer.
"When we found out it was to benefit mental health in teens, instantly, we were like, 'Absolutely yes, this sounds amazing,'" said lead singer Sarah Blackwood.
"We all grew up going to the YMCA. ... Now, Gianni (Blackwood's husband and bandmate) and I have three kids who also go to the YMCA for different things and activities. It's just such a wonderful place in our community."
While the song may sound different, the majority of the original lyrics remain, with the aim of highlighting today's need for community and open dialogue surrounding mental health.
"I think it did something really special for the song," said Samantha Hartley-Folz, YMCA BC's vice-president of community operations.
"All of us feel stress and worry in our lives ... but sometimes, there's that message of, 'Don't worry, be happy,' or, 'Just keep going,' and we want youth to say, 'It's OK to feel stressed or worried.'"
Hartley-Folz says youth also should still be able to do all the activities they want to do in their lives and that community programs like Y Mind are part of that equation.
Y Mind boasts several programs at YMCAs across the country and online for youths and young adults, aimed at offering both preventive or early-intervention-based mental health services free of charge.
Cameron Norek, 13, is an avid user of Calgary's YMCAs and aspires to be a counsellor at the Y in a few years.
While conversations around mental health can still be a struggle, she is encouraged knowing there is a support service in her community.
"It definitely helps and makes you feel better knowing that you can get help or even just talk to someone," Norek said.
Canadian indie pop band Walk off the Earth has reinvented the Village People's original Y.M.C.A. song. (Courtesy: The Village People/YouTube)
As for the new Y.M.C.A. cover, Norek says it hits all the right notes.
"I thought it was really cool how they added mental health into it and they talked about how the Y is just a free place you can go to, to help you with stress and anxiety," she said.
In just three weeks, the cover has already reached nearly 200,000 views on YouTube.
More details about Y Mind, available at 22 YMCA Associations across Canada, can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.