Trump is notorious for using music at his campaign rallies without the artists’ permission. However, one musician is happy that Trump used his song – and has denied that it is a “gay anthem”…
Controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s unauthorized use of artists’ music is nothing new, with many acts asking him to stop playing their songs at campaign events without direct approval.
This year alone, Céline Dion, Beyoncé, Woodkid, Jack White, Sinead O’Connor’s estateand several others issued statements criticising Trump for using their music, while Isaac Hayes’ estate went as far as filing a lawsuit against the politician.
The Village People originally asked Trump to stop using their 1978 hit song ‘Y.M.C.A.’ during his rallies, but doubled back once band member and ‘Y.M.C.A.’ singer and co-writer Victor Willis realized that the politician seemed to “genuinely like” and was “having a lot of fun” with the song.
That explains why you’ve been able to witness the President elect gyrating to the song this year.
Now, the 73-year-old singer-songwriter has defended Trump’s use of the song in a lengthy Facebook post.
Willis said he has received more than 1,000 complaints about the use of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ at Trump’s campaign rallies.
“I simply didn’t have the heart to prevent his continued use of my song in the face of so many artists withdrawing his use of their material. So I told my wife to inform BMI to not withdraw the Trump campaign political use license.”
In turn, Willis said he made more money.
“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 in the post, adding that “the financial benefits have been great.”
“Therefore, I’m glad I allowed the President Elect’s continued use of Y.M.C.A.” the musician wrote. “And I thank him for choosing to use my song.”
Willis also went on to deny that the disco tune was intended as a “gay anthem,” saying he “knew nothing about the Y being a hang out for gays” when he wrote the lyrics.
“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 one of the song’s most famous lines.
He added that people should get their “minds out of the gutter.”
Charming.
Willis also said that he doesn’t mind that the song is considered a gay anthem but that the false assumptions are “damaging to the song.” Starting in January, he said, his wife will sue any news organization that refers to ‘Y.M.C.A.’ as a gay anthem.
Doubly charming.
‘Y.M.C.A.’ has been widely adopted by the LGBTQ+ community over the years, with many interpreting the lyrics as obvious references to the gym chain’s reputation as a popular cruising site.
It’s also worth mentioning that the track was off of The Village People’s 1978 album titled ‘Cruisin’’…
As the poet Cardi B once stated: “That’s suspicious.”
So, if any news organization is thinking of referring to ‘Y.M.C.A.’ as a gay anthem, you’ve got little under a month to do so. You’ve been warned.
