Victor Willis, the founding member and lead singer of the Village People, has addressed why he allowed Donald Trump to use their iconic song Y.M.C.A. at campaign rallies. Despite initial reservations and over 1,000 complaints from fans, Willis permitted the use since Trump's campaign had obtained the necessary license from BMI.

Willis noted that Trump's use boosted the song's popularity, leading it to finally reach #1 on the Billboard charts after 45 years and generating "several million dollars" in revenue. He emphasized that he did not want to join other artists in withdrawing their music from Trump's campaigns.

Willis also denied that Y.M.C.A. is a "gay anthem," attributing this misconception to the song's association with the LGBTQ+ community due to some band members and the co-writer being gay. He plans to take legal action against media outlets perpetuating this misinterpretation, arguing it harms the song's legacy. The lyrics, according to Willis, were inspired by YMCA locations as social hubs in 1970s San Francisco.

To be transported back to the era in question, check out Greatest Hits of the 1970s from YouRadio.