From the arm choreography to the theatrical horn intro, “Y.M.C.A.” could probably be considered one of the least serious songs in recent memory—but Village People singer Victor Willis recently announced he’s bringing the hammer down on his iconic hit. (And no, Willis wasn’t the construction worker in the Village People, although that really would have sealed the deal on our choice of idiom.)
Videos by American Songwriter
In a December 2024 Facebook post, the lead singer of the costume-clad disco group detailed his connection to the song nearly five decades after its release. Most notably, Willis threatened legal action against anyone who misrepresents “Y.M.C.A.” as a “gay anthem” starting in 2025.
The Classic 1978 Track Is Not A Gay Anthem, Per The Songwriter
On the afternoon of December 2, 2024, Village People lead singer and co-founder Victor Willis posted a lengthy explanation as to why he allowed president-elect Donald Trump to use “Y.M.C.A.” at his political events, even as countless other artists have ordered cease-and-desists to the politician for the use of their songs. Willis cited the financial gains and higher chart placements he’s enjoyed since Trump added “Y.M.C.A.” to his rally playlist. Political affiliations aside, that’s not even the most notable part of Willis’ social media letter.
“There’s been a lot of talk, especially of late, that “Y.M.C.A.” is somehow a gay anthem. As I’ve said numerous times in the past, that is a false assumption based on the fact that my writing partner was gay, and some (not all) of Village People were gay, and that the first Village People album was totally about gay life,” Willis wrote. “This assumption is also based on the fact that the YMCA was apparently being used as some sort of gay hangout, and since one of the writers was gay and some of the Village People are gay, the song must be a message to gay people. To that, I say, once again, get your minds out of the gutter. It is not.”
Willis insisted he had no knowledge of the association of the YMCA with the gay community. “When I say, hang out with all the boys, that is simply 1970s black slang for black guys hanging out together. There’s nothing gay about that.”
Village People Singer Victor Willis Threatens Legal Action Over “Y.M.C.A.”
The Village People’s place in gay culture is undeniable, particularly in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s disco scene. But then again, “Y.M.C.A.” was a part of all cultures—that’s kind of the whole point. From the disco group’s choice of wearing blue-collar worker attire to the choreography that virtually any able-bodied individual can manage, part of the fun of “Y.M.C.A.” is that everyone can get into it. The song is a staple at sporting events, weddings, school dances, parties, and, yes, even LGBTQ+ pride events. It’s the group dance song, gay, straight, or other.
Nevertheless, Village People singer Victor Willis is no longer entertaining the idea that “Y.M.C.A.” was ever a gay anthem. In fact, he’s so over the entire debate that he’s now threatening legal action against those who claim it is.“My wife will start suing each and every news organization that falsely refers to “Y.M.C.A.,” either in their headlines or alluded to in the base of the story, that “Y.M.C.A.” is somehow a gay anthem because such notion is based solely on the song’s lyrics alluding to elicit activity for which it does not,” he wrote.
Willis’ post seems to ping-pong between being okay with the LGBTQ+ community co-opting the song and threatening to sue anyone who says that they have. “I don’t mind that gays think of the song as their anthem,” he wrote. Two paragraphs later, he added, “The song is not really a gay anthem other than certain people falsely suggesting that it is. This must stop because it is damaging to the song.”
Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be working on getting the opening horn riff to “Y.M.C.A.” out of our heads for the rest of the week.
Photo by Robin Platzer/Images/Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.