70s band behind Y.M.C.A fighting over song’s ‘gay anthem’ status-Danni Scott-Entertainment – Metro

The Village People are arguing over the meaning of the Y.M.C.A. (Picture: Bettmann Archive)

The Y.M.C.A. has been on party playlists since the 70s, with everyone instinctively bursting into the dance routine without a second thought.

The Village People’s biggest track has also taken on the mantle of being a ‘gay anthem’, due to YMCAs being considered safe spaces for gay men to meet.

However, it seems one of the original Village People and co-writer of the song does not like that it has become so iconic in the LGBTQ+ community.

Victor Willis, 73, who was the Policeman, claimed the hidden meaning for those in the know is ‘a false assumption based on the fact that my writing partner was gay.’

French producer Jacques Morali, who died in 1991 from AIDs complications, co-wrote the hit song as well as most of their discography.

‘The song is not really a gay anthem other than certain people falsely suggesting that it is,’ Willis wrote on Facebook. “

Victor Willis thinks it’s ‘damaging’ to say it’s a gay anthem (Picture: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The songwriter claimed the gay association is ‘damaging to the song’, which has sold 12million copies worldwide.

Originally, the song featured on the album Cruisin’ – an intentional innuendo meaning driving or the LGBTQ+ term cruising, which is looking for casual relationships.

The YMCA became known as one of these cruising spots in the 80s, so many in the community understood this as the focus of the track.

David Hodo, who performed with the Village People as the construction worker around the time the song was released, disagreed with Willis.

He still performs under the Village People name (Picture: Gari Garaialde/Redferns)

In a Facebook post, shared on X by @peacebisquit he wrote: ‘Just to be clear, there would be no YMCA song without Jacques Morali.

‘He came up with the hook, as he did with all the VP music, after Randy Jones took him to a YMCA and introduced him to several gay porn stars who worked out there.’

‘It’s only slightly nauseating to hear Willis speak as though he were a Stephen Sondheim,’ Hodo continued.

‘YMCA would have disappeared from the charts for good had it not been for the fact that the kids from American Bandstand came up with the arm movements. That silly little dance is why this song has endured, not the “brilliant” song writing.’

This sparked outrage from Willis, who claimed his late writing partner ‘hated’ Hodo and accused him of ‘lying’ that he is an original member.

Hodo, 77, took over from Mark Mussler in 1978 after the original member left and became a makeup artist until his death in 1987.

He performed as the Construction Worker throughout the band’s height of fame and even returned to the group in the late 80s until 2013.

‘I wouldn’t put much stock in whatever you have to say about me and Jacques,’ Willis added before telling him: ‘Back in your hole before I crush you again.’

David Hodo defended the track online (Picture: Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

The Macho Man singer has not made his dislike of Hodo a secret, accusing him of ending the Village People with his ‘terrible singing voice’ in 2020.

Willis recently allowed Donald Trump to continue to use both the Y.M.C.A. and Macho Man in his presidential campaigns, despite endorsing Kamala Harris to Billboard.

The group did send a cease-and-desist when Trump brought out dancers dressed as the Village People at a rally in 2023 as it made it look as if the band was endorsing the convicted felon.

In 2020, Willis told the BBC: ‘I like hearing music at all times and I like the fact that fans of all kinds, Democrats or Republicans, they all like YMCA and that is something that is pleasing to me.

Donald Trump used the Village People’s song in his campaign (Picture: Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)

‘As far as endorsing Trump, I don’t endorse Trump, I’ve never endorsed Trump, nor has Village People. We have even asked him basically to stop even playing our music at his rallies.’

However, the Policeman said in 2024 he ‘didn’t have the heart’ to block Trump from using the track, especially as it prompted a resurgence of the song in the charts.

Many members of the LGBTQ+ community were outspoken about this choice, condemning the use of this gay anthem to promote the Republican candidate.

Although Willis may not like it, the Village People have become certified gay icons and his personal opinions are unlikely to change 40 years of association.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More