10 Famous Songs Whose Meaning The Fans (And The Pundits) Got Wrong

This was the song that made the Village People virtually overnight. If ever you wondered what catapulted the term to universal popularity (or infamy) and where ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage appropriated it from, now you know.

With lyrics that unashamedly praise the muscled male physique, interpreting the song as anything other than narcissistic male chest-beating or a mockery of the concept of the hot chiselled stud seems ludicrous at best, especially when you consider the Village People’s attire.

But the true meaning is something altogether more uplifting. According to band member Randy Jones, the song is about self confidence. In an interview in 1979 he said: “You get all kinds of things thrown at you by television and magazines over here but they can’t carry on dictating how you feel. We just pointed out that you shouldn’t worry about what other people think of you. Being yourself is the most important thing you can be.” Glenn Hughes, another band member, added: “We redefined that word... We changed it to mean strength of character, the strength to feel you can survive on your own.”