Posted on 08/25/2023 5:45:26 PM PDT by DoodleBob
Country-folk singer Oliver Anthony is denouncing politicians, namely conservatives, and those trying to make his hit song “Rich Men North of Richmond” the new right-wing anthem.
In a 10-minute video shared on YouTube on Friday, the musician said, “The one thing that has bothered me is seeing people wrap politics up in this. I’m disappointed to see [it]. Like, it’s aggravating seeing people on conservative news try to identify with me, like I’m one of them.”
Anthony’s comments come after the GOP’s first debate of the primary season in Milwaukee on Wednesday. A clip of the song was played at the beginning of the debate and moderator Martha MacCallum also referenced the song in the first questions, asking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, “Why is this song striking such a nerve in this country right now?” In his response, DeSantis took aim at President Joe Biden, Congress and government spending while addressing the song.
In the video, the singer said, “It was funny seeing my song at that presidential debate. Because I wrote that song about those people, you know, so for them to have to sit there and listen to that, that cracks me up. It was funny kind of seeing the response to it.”
He continued, “That song has nothing to do with Joe Biden. You know, it’s a lot bigger than Joe Biden. That song’s written about the people on that stage and a lot more too, not just them, but definitely them.”
Earlier this week, Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond” topped the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first song by an artist with no previous chart history to open at No. 1. Following the song’s release earlier in August, many Republicans have praised the track for its lyrics critiquing big government. But some liberals have also criticized the song, saying some lyrics promote negative stereotypes of welfare recipients.
The artist said it has been difficult trying to “get a message out about your political ideology or your belief about the world in three minutes and some change. But I do hate to see that song being weaponized, like I see. I see the right trying to characterize me as one of their own. And I see the left trying to discredit me, I guess in retaliation. That shi*’s gotta stop.”
Later in the video, Anthony said he also needed to “address the left” because “they’re sending a message out that … ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ is an attack against the poor. If you listen to my other music, it’s obvious that all of my songs that reference class defend the poor.”
He added, “I do understand there may be some people who misunderstood my words in ‘Rich Men North of Richmond.’ But I’ve got to be clear that my message, like with any of my songs, it references the inefficiencies of the government because of the politicians within it that are engulfed in bribes and extortion.”
Though he’s excited about the song’s global success, the singer added that the people he’s seen responding to the song are “not conservative people” or “even necessarily Americans.”
“I don’t know that I’ve seen anything get such a positive response from such a diverse group of people, and I think that terrifies the people that I sing about in that song,” he said. “They’ve done everything they can in the last two weeks to make me look like a fool, to spin my words, to try to stick me in a political bucket. And they can keep trying, but I’m just gonna keep on writing.”
And while he doesn’t know what’s next for his music career, Anthony noted that he’s “going to stay true to my word. I’m going to write, produce and distribute authentic music that represents people and not politics.”
Of course there are some really bad Republicans. But to say there is no difference in the parties is extremely simplistic and naïve. I would venture to guess that 90% of the people on this forum are registered Republicans. I would also venture to guess that 90% of the people on the democratic underground site or Democrats. So there is no difference in the parties? Please.
Are not or. Voice to text. Grrrrrrr
The politicians not the people. Why are you arguing about something o obvious and so silly. It’s a song get over it.
“Lois Lerner and Andy McCabe.”
Exactly, and those two are just barely scratching the surface. The entire FBI, DOJ, EPA...hell every agency needs to be cut in half and their ability to make rules and regulations needs to end. Congress needs to do it’s job.
Yeah man. It’s about the people man. Far out man. The guy rags on the right. You sound as clueless as the composer.
Did you miss it?? He turned down the $8 million contract and just today agreed to sing the national anthem for the super bowl and told them keep your $100K I will sing that song for FREE!
That is chump change in today’s world of movers and shakers. He needs to become a social media influencer.
you are Nieve if you don’t think most the politicians on the stage at the debates are not playing the same game as the democrats... clue to everyone Most politicians do not have any personal ideology that they believe in. instead for most politician Ideology is just a tool to get what they want.
It’s got some good sentiments behind it, but I don’t get the hype. 30 years ago, Travis Tritt covered a lot of the same ground in “Lord Have Mercy on the Working Man,” which was an actual song with a melody, etc.
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I think most songs bring up meaning to the listener in a personal way. It may not be the way the song writer meant it, but music is a very personal thing. The writer should understand that.
I would have left it at “Yeah - I got a kick that it was played at the debate.”
I’d get a kick if my namesake song got played at a Democrat rally.
I'm as conservative as they come...but he's right. Politics on both side has become about power. There are very, very few servant leaders left.
Or...his recent turn back to God has mattered, and he is being used as a vessel to spread truth.
"Us" wasn't his purpose. His purpose is to talk about those who seek power - which is almost everybody in DC, and most states, counties, and municipalities. Extremely few servant leaders in that mix.
"Power" is the control over the future actions of others. I don't like being a slave - you?
Oh, yea. I’m clueless and you are most obviously pure genius in your thinking. And, quite rational too. Because normal people always get so upset about a SONG.
Well take him at his word or not... but says that is not what he wants, pretty much backed it up with scripture at the end of the second video he released (link below). Says he lives in a 27’ trailer he bought off craigslist that has a tarp for a roof. Seems like a total unknown grifter living like that would have a hard time passing $8 mil. up. I also read an article claiming that just the streaming $$ on that song he has been making about $40K a day lately as an independent.
https://youtu.be/xB9n0XA8dks?si=mq0BgpK1JXZ1cwBp
I’m guessing he’s one of those diehard democrat rednecks. Sounds like he’s very anti-conservative.
Yeah, that's the ticket. . .
Sorry, dude, if you write a song about politicians, you can be pretty darn sure it will be seen as a political statement, and politicians will try to use it to their own advantage regardless of your intentions when you wrote the song. If it means twisting your meaning into what they want it to be, you have to expect that.
Wimp.
I never heard of you, Oliver, but I sense that YOU are not made of the same stuff as a Leader, Hero, Strong person.
People like Trump.
Soooo, never heard your song...never miss it.
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