Oliver Anthony’s coal country ballad “Rich Men North Of Richmond” has elicited a negative reaction from mainstream media and some social media users, similar to the backlash Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” experienced.
Both songs echo sentiments and frustrations common among rural Americans and conservatives towards the prevailing leftist ideologies.
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Recent releases from conservative musicians, specifically Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North Of Richmond,” have sparked strong reactions from both mainstream media and social media.
Drawing parallels to the backlash Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” faced, Anthony’s ballad is now labeled as a “right-wing anthem” by critics.
Aldean’s song was unapologetic in its portrayal of rural Americans’ and conservatives’ grievances with prevailing leftist ideologies.
This was evident in its strong message, warning against trying to bring such ideologies to their communities.
This outspokenness drew ire from Democrats who attempted to cast the song in a racially charged light.
Anthony’s “Rich Men North Of Richmond” is more nuanced, hearkening back to the tones of 1960s and 1970s protest songs.
The song’s classic country vibe pays homage to legends like Hank Williams Jr., offering a break from the modern music scene.
Given its direct observations and inherent honesty, the song’s critique from the media seems anticipated.
However, the left’s initial critique tried to misrepresent the song as having ties to the Civil War, painting it as an endorsement of the Confederacy and slavery.
But when informed about the actual context, which criticizes elite politicians in Washington DC, detractors pivoted to claiming that white Americans couldn’t understand real hardship.
Major media outlets, while refraining from overtly branding the song as racist, have nonetheless tagged it as a “right-wing anthem.”
RELATED: Oliver Anthony’s Meteoric Rise Continues After 9 Songs Break Into Top 25 on iTunes
Rolling Stone’s critique, for instance, pointed towards the song’s mention of critiques on welfare systems and “Regan era talking points.”
Such criticisms imply that concerns over welfare are outdated, aiming to sideline those who disagree as archaic in their thinking.
Interestingly, media outlets like Rolling Stone and The New York Daily News were visibly bothered by the song’s references to Epstein’s Island and the involvement of powerful figures in illegal activities there.
Despite factual records of such occurrences, these outlets sought to play down or dispute the events, framing them as conspiracy theories.
Conservative observers might note the irony: mainstream media and the political left appear to expose their biases more through what they criticize and seek to undermine.
Anthony’s song, which champions the blue-collar worker and questions government integrity, evidently strikes a chord — perhaps explaining why it has surged in popularity.
As recent data suggests, with Anthony’s music dominating iTunes, the voices of working-class America are resonating louder than ever.
RELATED: Rolling Stone Triggered by Oliver Anthony’s Hit Song, Loses It Over Reference to Epstein
