Staff Reports
Victor Willis, frontman of the Village People and the creative genius behind the catchy disco hit “Y.M.C.A.,” recently made headlines for clarifying his stance on President-elect Donald Trump’s use of the song. Contrary to the frequent claims that “Y.M.C.A.” serves as a gay anthem, Willis has come forward with a refreshing take that has more times than not been overlooked.
Much to the surprise of those who have been crying foul over Trump’s campaign rally playlist, Willis revealed that he is in fact quite appreciative of the attention his song has garnered thanks to the President-elect. He highlighted that despite receiving an avalanche of complaints regarding Trump’s usage of the song, he found it in his heart not to step on the Trump train. With many artists pulling their songs from Trump’s rallies, Willis decided to turn the tables by keeping “Y.M.C.A.” in the mix. After all, who can really ignore the potential that comes with a few million dollars rolling in?
Victor Willis, the singer behind YMCA, has released a message thanking President Trump for dancing to his song. He said the song has “benefited greatly” from Trump's use.
Willis also reiterated that the song is not a gay anthem and may sue news outlets calling it gay.
"Sadly,… pic.twitter.com/Yx5QFmJIyw
— George (@BehizyTweets) December 3, 2024
Willis’s comments seem geared toward stripping away the widely propagated misconception that “Y.M.C.A.” is anything other than a jolly tune meant for everyone, regardless of their preferences. He stressed that many associate the song with a gay anthem based solely on the sexual orientation of some Village People members and the song’s connection to a popular hangout. However, Willis insists that the lyrics were merely a nod to friendly camaraderie among men during the disco era, devoid of any hidden messaging related to sexual preference.
In a stroke of brilliance, Willis pointed out that “Y.M.C.A.” had its charts stuck at a miserable number two for over four decades before Trump’s very public embraces of the tune catapulted it to the top. He even revealed that the song made it to number one, thanks in part to the spotlight created by the Trump phenomenon. Talk about a silver lining! Clearly, this spin on the situation is not just a win for Biden’s opponents but also a lucrative turn for Willis himself.
Moreover, it seems that those financially benefiting from this melodic symbiosis are not limited to Willis alone. His late music partner’s French rights owners have also remained on the sidelines, allowing Trump’s campaign to keep the song alive and thriving. So much for artistic censorship in the era of cancel culture. Instead of being snuffed out, the spirit of the song continues to shine as brightly as ever, bringing joy and revenue in equal measures.
With the staggering financial benefits stacking up, it’s evident that the President-elect’s enthusiastic dance moves have made “Y.M.C.A.” more than just a fun disco track—it’s become a true American anthem, enjoyed by all walks of life. Victor Willis’s fearless refusal to label his song in a limited fashion reflects a broader message—that music should unite, not divide. His staunch defense against the song’s mischaracterization proves once again that misinterpretations often arise from ignorance, and sometimes, it takes a little disco magic to set the record straight.
