When the Village People first released the song “Y.M.C.A.” in 1978, it was an instant hit, turning them into mainstream pop culture icons and giving the Young Men’s Christian Association some free publicity. The only problem was the YMCA wasn’t having it. The organization accused the Village People of trademark infringement, and pursued an out of court settlement, all the while dodging rumors that YMCA officials were opposed to the song’s (and performers’) association with LGBT communities.
Now, nearly 40 years later, YMCA Australia, one of 119 international YMCAs, is fully embracing the song, partnering with Boy George to record a cover to benefit the organization’s Why Not? youth campaign. The flip is yet another example of major organizations coming to accept people they had once rejected. Earlier this year, Gucci was caught “paying homage” to a Dapper Dan design, despite suing him decades earlier.
YMCA Australia CEO Melissa Crole told Guardian Australia of the new “Y.M.C.A.” cover: “When you listen to the reason why the song was written and listen to the verses, then you see it fits with our social mission. We want to be a social movement for young people and with young people.”
