Y.M.C.A not to be Sochi protest song
LGBTI activists in the USA have called for their country’s 2014 Winter Olympic team to use the Village People’s disco classic Y.M.C.A as they march in the opening ceremony in protest against Russia’s anti-gay propaganda legislation that was passed earlier in 2013.
However, the Village People’s original lead singer Victor Willis has spoken against the push on website wenn.com, stating that the song should not be used as a protest song as it was not intended to be a gay anthem.
“If they want to use the song that way, go right ahead, but I think it’s silly because the lyrics were written by me as an expression of urban youths having fun at the Y.M.C.A.,” Willis said.
“The words were crafted by me to be taken any number of ways but not specific to gays. It’s much broader than that. The song is universal.
“I don’t mind that gays think the song is about them but I won’t perform the song in support of any protest. But I would consider performing the song as part of the opening ceremonies and lead the stadium into the Y.M.C.A. dance as a show of world unity because that’s something I believe the world can relate to.
“But I have only been asked to perform as part of a protest. And to that, I say no.”
He may have wrote it but it was GAY producer Jacques Morali who had the idea in the first place. You only need to look at any Village People albums to be certain that Jacques had GAY subtext in mind with this song. It’s called double entendres, Victor. Besides given his criminal history I’m not really sure we want him representing us anyway. If it was the still performing group that would be a different story.
Wouldn’t Gloria Gaynor’s “I am what I am” be a better choice, with a very clear meaning?