Pop Music

Cease Calling ‘Y.M.C.A.’ a ‘Homosexual Anthem’


Village Folks singer Victor Willis has referred to as on the media to cease calling his band’s 1978 hit single “Y.M.C.A.” a “homosexual anthem.”

In a protracted put up to Fb, Willis — who generally carried out dressed as a police officer — addressed the well-known track’s historical past.

“There’s been a whole lot of discuss, particularly of late, that ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is in some way a homosexual anthem,” the singer famous. “As I’ve mentioned quite a few instances up to now, that may be a false assumption based mostly on the truth that my writing associate was homosexual, and a few (not all) of Village Folks had been homosexual, and that the primary Village Folks album was completely about homosexual life.”

Willis went on to insist that he “knew nothing” about YMCA’s “being a hang around for gays” when he wrote the track’s lyrics.

READ MORE: Prime 200 ’70s Songs

“I due to this fact wrote ‘Y.M.C.A.’ in regards to the issues I knew in regards to the Y within the city areas of San Francisco similar to swimming, basketball, observe, and low cost meals and low cost rooms,” he defined. “And once I say, ‘hang around with all of the boys’ that’s merely Nineteen Seventies black slang for black guys hanging-out collectively for sports activities, playing or no matter. There’s nothing homosexual about that.”

Willis went on to threaten authorized motion to those that proceed to name “Y.M.C.A.” a homosexual anthem.

“Come January 2025, my spouse will begin suing every information group that falsely refers to ‘Y.M.C.A.,’ both of their headlines or alluded to within the base of the story, that ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is in some way a homosexual anthem as a result of such notion is predicated solely on the track’s lyrics alluding to elicit exercise for which it doesn’t,” the singer declared, including that such insinuations had been “defamatory, and damaging to the track.”

Victor Willis Thanks Donald Trump for Utilizing ‘Y.M.C.A.’ at His Rallies

Elsewhere in his prolonged Fb put up, Willis addressed using “Y.M.C.A.” at Donald Trump rallies.

“Since 2020, I’ve acquired over a thousand complaints about President Elect Trump’s use of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ With that many complaints, I made a decision to ask the President Elect to cease utilizing ‘Y.M.C.A.’ as a result of his use had turn into a nuisance to me,” Willis famous. Nevertheless, the singer’s stance on Trump’s utilization softened as he noticed different artists refusing to let the controversial politician use their songs.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Wins 2024 Election: Rockers React With Pleasure and Anger

“I merely didn’t have the center to stop his continued use of my track within the face of so many artists withdrawing his use of their materials,” Willis defined. Trump’s embrace of “Y.M.C.A.” has additionally supplied a monetary windfall for the singer.

“’Y.M.C.A.’ is estimated to gross a number of million {dollars} because the President Elect’s continued use of the track,” he admitted. “Due to this fact, I’m glad I allowed the President Elect’s continued use of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ And I thank him for selecting to make use of my track.”

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Gallery Credit score: UCR Employees



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