Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Oliver Anthony Strikes A Chord Where The Right And Left Agree: Our Failed Elites
The Federalist ^ | 15 Aug 2023 | Rich Cromwell

Posted on 08/15/2023 5:34:24 PM PDT by Rummyfan

Artists like Oliver Anthony represent the new counterculture — one spurred on by our failed elite class who can’t even do corruption right

Oliver Anthony’s viral song “Rich Men North of Richmond” is clever on several levels. First, there’s the wordplay between “rich men” and “Richmond.” Second, there’s the district north of Richmond, one not known for its relative poverty, but for its indifference to both the material and spiritual poverty experienced outside of its borders. Third, there’s the lyrical content, telling tales of the men and women whose lives are shaped by those who occupy the district that wields far too much control over our culture and economic well-being.

While the song has been heralded by Fox, the Blaze, and here at The Federalist, neither the artist nor the song are about the battles between conservatives vs. liberals, but about the battles between the elites and everyday citizens. Anthony even said in a conversation with Rolling Stone that he is “pretty dead center down the aisle on politics” and that “it seems like both sides serve the same master — and that master is not someone of any good to the people of this country.” Naturally, Rolling Stone titled the piece “Right-Wing Influencers Just Found Their Favorite New Country Song.”

(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 08/15/2023 5:34:24 PM PDT by Rummyfan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan
“As it slowly replaced the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant aristocracy, meritocracy promised to reward ability over pedigree. In many cases, this goal was realized. But the system has devolved into a new caste system stressing academic accreditation and boutique beliefs over simple merit and hard work..."

Meritocracy isn't the problem, DEI and any program to equalize outcomes, not based on effort, is the problem.

2 posted on 08/15/2023 6:06:13 PM PDT by 11th_VA (XX < > XY)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

We have no shared values, no common goals with the “progressives “ running the Democratic Party.
Democrats reject
-Sovereign individual
-Rule of law
-Primary value of the Constitution
(“White supremacist document written by rich white slave owners designed to oppress all genders and races)
-Equality of races
-Spirit of compromise
-Decentralization of power

We hold Individual Liberties (civil liberties), economic freedom, personal responsibility and self sufficiency in high esteem.
They used to leave us alone.


3 posted on 08/15/2023 7:44:33 PM PDT by griswold3 (Truth, Beauty and Goodness )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

I know he’s on our team and all that, but the song is meh.


4 posted on 08/15/2023 8:34:15 PM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity’s waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: DoodleBob

killjoy..its a good song


5 posted on 08/15/2023 9:09:43 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (The 2020 election Trump victory determines the fate f America and Freedom.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: griswold3

the only thing you can do with collectivists is defeat them

you cannot coexist with them


6 posted on 08/15/2023 11:18:15 PM PDT by joshua c (to disrupt the system, we must disrupt our lives, cut the cable tv)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: DoodleBob

Come on now. You one that doesn’t care about minors except the ones on an island? Lol. It hits the elites fairly well and is a song from the man’s heart. What’s “meh” about it. Nothing “meh” about a guy doing what he loves knowing no one cares or notice yet they do one day. He didn’t do any of it for anyone but himself, we just to sneak a peak by random cosmic chance.


7 posted on 08/16/2023 1:31:39 AM PDT by wgmalabama (Censored !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: wgmalabama; Recovering Ex-hippie
If this song was full of leftist lyrics, everybody would say it sucks.

Elevating the average or mundane to some lofty, unjustified height is what the commies did with Socialist Realism. The only thing missing here is the sanctioning of the state.

Music is very subjective and I can understand the appeal of this tune to many people: one guy (to be fair, Anthony’s personal story is inspiring), a guitar and a mic, some animals around him, lyrics bemoaning politicians, and all the right facial contortions and faux strained expressions MTV nation has come to expect from its bread and circuses. It’s pushing all the right buttons, and for 80MM+ disenfranchised Americans, I can see them being drawn to this song.

8 posted on 08/16/2023 3:41:44 AM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity’s waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

I like the message, but that song annoys the hell outta me.


9 posted on 08/16/2023 4:07:13 AM PDT by TheElectionWasStolen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DoodleBob

I kind of like the sound he is creating with just him playing. I will state I’m not much of a music person. Don’t really intentionally listen to it. Haven’t since my iPod died and even then it was when I mowed grass. I also can’t sing, play an instrument- nothing. I don’t even sing at church because I don’t want to ruin it for those around me. ;0)

I think a lot of the interest is seeing something new that hasn’t been crammed down our throats from the industry. Music by a guy just doing what he enjoys to a vers small group of friends and family and boom goes viral. No auto tune, no crowd testing, no show, no back channel slap in our face …. You get my point.

I guess it’s an area we can disagree on without much hurt feelings. I compare this to in a small town and this doesn’t have f’ this and f’ that in it.


10 posted on 08/16/2023 6:29:01 AM PDT by wgmalabama (Censored !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: wgmalabama

I totally get your point.

There is a website, Bandcamp.com, where you can search and find and test unsigned bands across all genres. That allows you to bypass Sony etc and let you think and choose what is “good” for yourself. You also directly support commerce and the artists. Bandcamp, and college radio and XM Underground Garage is where I get my new music. And there IS good new music.

Again, I have nothing against Anthony. I empathize with the lyrics and, of course, love the message. I simply wish it was “better.”


11 posted on 08/16/2023 6:46:45 AM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity’s waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

This guy touched a nerve with us “normals”.

L


12 posted on 08/16/2023 6:49:11 AM PDT by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

<BIG?White liberal ‘elites’ and the the criminals and sexual weirdos who prop up their power are the problem. It’s NOT conservatives who are making our cities hellholes - it’s liberals.,


13 posted on 08/16/2023 7:04:37 AM PDT by GOPJ (FoxNews Debate first time Trump ran: Democrat Chris Wallace with a blond bimbo. And this time?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan
White liberal 'elites' and the the criminals and sexual weirdos who prop up their power are the problem.

It's NOT conservatives who are making our cities hellholes - it's liberals.,

14 posted on 08/16/2023 7:04:58 AM PDT by GOPJ (FoxNews Debate first time Trump ran: Democrat Chris Wallace with a blond bimbo. And this time?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DoodleBob

I have to agree with you as far as the song. That said, he’s got a killer voice. Would be interesting to see what he could do if you teamed him up with a good producer and a pro songwriter.


15 posted on 08/16/2023 8:14:28 AM PDT by Yardstick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: GOPJ

Conservatives destroyed the cities—by leaving.

They were told it was their job to sacrifice their lives, liberty and property for the shooters and looters and they refused to do it.

Atlas Shrugged.


16 posted on 08/16/2023 8:18:14 AM PDT by cgbg (Claiming that laws and regs that limit “hate speech” stop freedom of speech is “hate speech”.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: griswold3
We have no shared values, no common goals with the “progressives “ running the Democratic Party.

You're right. Best long term solution is a friendly national divorce. White liberal 'elites' can have their own country with sexual weirdos, illegals, criminals and the people who hate this country. We take everyone else.

17 posted on 08/16/2023 8:32:10 AM PDT by GOPJ (Ukraine matters? Yeah, it shows corrupt countries the Untied States's a hellhole that can be bought.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

Rich Cromwell needs to understand we’re NOT Marxist and the ‘elite’ are NOT the “one percent”... This isn’t marxist class warfare.

The term ‘elite’ is a slam - it means people in high positions who got there the old democrat KKK way . by Kolor, Kink and or Kin (rich daddy) It’s the creepy low life creepy ‘Hunter’ types. It means ‘white trash’...


18 posted on 08/16/2023 6:49:55 PM PDT by GOPJ (Ukraine matters? Yeah, it shows corrupt countries the Untied States's a hellhole that can be bought.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DoodleBob

Good view


19 posted on 08/16/2023 8:20:04 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (The 2020 election Trump victory determines the fate f America and Freedom.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson