Staff Reports
Victor Willis, the founding member of the Village People, has stirred the pot this week by defending Donald Trump’s use of the iconic song “Y.M.C.A.” during his campaign rallies. In a surprising twist that could make even a staunch liberal raise an eyebrow, Willis pointed to the legal licensing that Trump secured from BMI and stated that he simply couldn’t bring himself to stop the former president from enjoying the song. It appears that the world of music licensing has more drama than a daytime soap opera.
According to Willis, he has been on the receiving end of over a thousand complaints about Trump’s use of “Y.M.C.A.” since 2020. Despite this barrage of grievances, he decided to let it slide, as the Trump campaign was perfectly within their rights to keep the song playing, thanks to that little piece of paper called a license. Willis even noted that while many artists were pulling their songs from Trump’s grasp, he couldn’t help but notice how much fun the ex-president had when the upbeat track hit the airwaves. Perhaps there’s a lesson here about allowing people to have a good time, regardless of political affiliation, but that would be too logical for today’s debate.
What really has some folks scratching their heads is Willis’s acknowledgment that Trump’s use of the song actually brought it back to life on the charts. After sitting at a frustrating #2 for decades, “Y.M.C.A.” finally climbed to #1, and Willis credits the Trump campaign for giving it a boost. It seems that Trump’s dancing at rallies not only rejuvenated a long-forgotten disco hit but also resulted in a financial windfall, reportedly grossing millions for Willis. Who would’ve thought that a little presidential flair could have such lucrative side effects? Maybe Trump should consider a side gig as a DJ.
Then, to add some extra spice to the narrative, Willis took on the critics who claim that “Y.M.C.A.” is a gay anthem, suggesting that those allegations are based on flimsy assumptions. While some may believe that the song is closely tied to LGBTQ+ culture given some members of the Village People were gay, Willis insists that he had no idea the Y was a popular hangout for that crowd when he penned the lyrics. It’s almost as if he’s suggesting that people read too much into catchy disco tunes, which might not sit well with those who thrive on making everything about their identity politics.
Village People’s Victor Willis Defends Trump Using 'Y.M.C.A.' on Campaign Trail https://t.co/zSM1UrdbXa
— Brett Murphy (PatriotPointman) (@PatriotPointman) December 3, 2024
Ultimately, Willis points out that the song’s appeal is universal, crossing political and social boundaries. The discussion surrounding “Y.M.C.A.” as a “gay anthem” seems to be more of an attempt to shame Trump than an actual assessment of the song itself. He argues that the lyrics reflect simple experiences related to gym life in urban settings and that the interpretation of the song as a gay anthem is a distortion. In a world often dominated by absurd interpretations and divisive narratives, this throwback anthem stands as a reminder that catchy tunes can still unite people—if only to show off their questionable dance moves.
