Victor Willis, the lead singer and co-writer of the iconic Village People hit “Y.M.C.A.,” recently expressed gratitude toward Donald Trump for his enthusiastic use of the song during his rallies. Willis noted that Trump’s association with the 1978 disco classic has significantly boosted its popularity and financial success.
A Surprising Partnership
Trump famously danced to “Y.M.C.A.” at the conclusion of his campaign rallies, turning it into a memorable feature of his events. While some musicians have objected to their songs being used by political figures, Willis took a different approach. “I’ve received over a thousand complaints about President Trump’s use of ‘Y.M.C.A.,’” Willis wrote in a Facebook post. “But I simply didn’t have the heart to stop him. He genuinely seems to enjoy it.”
Willis acknowledged the positive impact of Trump’s use of the song, noting that it finally reached #1 on a Billboard chart after 45 years. “The song was stuck at #2 for so long,” Willis explained. “Thanks to Trump, it achieved a new level of success, holding the top spot for two weeks.”
Clarifying Misconceptions About the Song, Y.M.C.A
Over the years, “Y.M.C.A.” has often been labeled a gay anthem, but Willis pushed back against this interpretation. “It’s a false assumption,” he said, attributing the belief to the fact that some Village People members and his co-writer were gay. He stressed that the lyrics were inspired by the YMCA’s role in urban communities during the 1970s, particularly in places like San Francisco.
“When I say, ‘hang out with all the boys,’ that’s just 1970s slang for guys hanging out, nothing more,” Willis explained. He emphasized that while he doesn’t mind the song being embraced by the LGBTQ+ community, branding it exclusively as a gay anthem has “damaged” its broader appeal.
Despite the controversies, Willis made it clear that he appreciates the song’s newfound success. “I’m glad I allowed Trump’s continued use of ‘Y.M.C.A.,’” he said. “And I thank him for choosing my song.”