Victor Willis, a founding member of the Village People and co-writer of the popular “Y.M.C.A.” disco song from 1978, defended Donald Trump using the single during his presidential campaign and said the tune was “not really a gay anthem.”
The 73-year-old songwriter wrote a lengthy Facebook post explaining that the popular song was based on his perception of the organization, saying he “knew nothing about the Y being a hang out for gays.” Y.M.C.A. is an acronym for the Young Men’s Christian Association nonprofit.
“When I say, ‘hang out with all the boys’ that is simply 1970s black slang for black guys hanging-out together for sports, gambling or whatever. There’s nothing gay about that,” he said of the lyrics.
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Willis added that even though some members of Village People were gay, “Y.M.C.A” was not meant to be about sexuality, and people should get their “minds out of the gutter.”The singer went on to say those assumptions are “damaging to the song” and that starting next year, he and his wife will sue any news outlet that refers to “Y.M.C.A.” as a gay anthem.
Willis said he has received “over a thousand complaints” about the use of “Y.M.C.A” at Trump’s campaign rallies. Trump started using the song on the campaign trail in 2020.
The songwriter added that while getting all the complaints was a “nuisance,” he eventually realized the benefit of Trump using the song and reviving its popularity more than four decades after its release.
“For example, Y.M.C.A. was stuck at #2 on the Billboard chart prior to the President Elect’s use. However, the song finally made it to #1 on a Billboard chart after over 45 years (and held on to #1 for two weeks) due to the President Elect’s use,” Willis wrote, saying, “the financial benefits have been great.”
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Victor Willis, a founding member of the Village People and co-writer of the popular “Y.M.C.A.” disco song from 1978, defended Donald Trump using the single during his presidential campaign and said the tune was “not really a gay anthem.”
The 73-year-old songwriter wrote a lengthy Facebook post explaining that the popular song was based on his perception of the organization, saying he “knew nothing about the Y being a hang out for gays.” Y.M.C.A. is an acronym for the Young Men’s Christian Association nonprofit.
“When I say, ‘hang out with all the boys’ that is simply 1970s black slang for black guys hanging-out together for sports, gambling or whatever. There’s nothing gay about that,” he said of the lyrics.
CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Willis added that even though some members of Village People were gay, “Y.M.C.A” was not meant to be about sexuality, and people should get their “minds out of the gutter.”The singer went on to say those assumptions are “damaging to the song” and that starting next year, he and his wife will sue any news outlet that refers to “Y.M.C.A.” as a gay anthem.
Willis said he has received “over a thousand complaints” about the use of “Y.M.C.A” at Trump’s campaign rallies. Trump started using the song on the campaign trail in 2020.
The songwriter added that while getting all the complaints was a “nuisance,” he eventually realized the benefit of Trump using the song and reviving its popularity more than four decades after its release.
“For example, Y.M.C.A. was stuck at #2 on the Billboard chart prior to the President Elect’s use. However, the song finally made it to #1 on a Billboard chart after over 45 years (and held on to #1 for two weeks) due to the President Elect’s use,” Willis wrote, saying, “the financial benefits have been great.”
“}]]
