Victor Willis, the co-founder and lead vocalist of the disco group Village People, has spoken out against the notion that their 1978 hit “Y.M.C.A.” is a gay anthem. In a recent Facebook post, Willis addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the song’s use at Donald Trump’s political rallies.
Willis initially asked the Trump campaign to stop playing the song, citing feedback from fans who felt uncomfortable with its use in a political context. However, after deciding that Trump genuinely enjoyed the track and that it had helped boost its popularity, Willis reconsidered his position.
The issue arose when Trump started using “Y.M.C.A.” at the end of his rallies, debuting his signature fist-pumping dance move. Willis wrote on Facebook that he didn’t have the heart to prevent Trump’s continued use of the song, given its surge in popularity and the fact that it had reached the top of Billboard’s Dance/Electronic chart.
Willis pointed out that Trump’s campaign obtained the necessary political use license from Broadcast Music Inc., allowing the song to be played legally at rallies. The Village People have consistently rejected the idea that “Y.M.C.A.” was written as a statement for the gay community, and Willis explained that the double entendre associated with the song was not intentional.
When he penned the lyrics, Willis was unaware of the YMCA’s connection to gay men seeking a sexual partner, according to him. He attributed the song’s double meaning to Jacques Morali, the band’s co-founder who co-wrote and assembled the track.
Willis emphasized that “Y.M.C.A.” has become part of Trump’s rally tradition, with supporters often mimicking the dance moves. While the song has been embraced by the LGBTQ community, Willis warned that labeling it as a gay anthem is damaging to the song and will be taken to court if it continues.
Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/village-people-victor-willis-trump-ymca-19956193.php