Apparently, all you need to trigger some people is a guitar, microphone, and a singing voice with some twang in it. This is precisely what Oliver Anthony did when he went viral for his song “Rich Men North of Richmond.” He became an overnight sensation on digital media, and the lyrics to his populist anthem have resonated with a wide swath of Americans who can relate to the struggles the singer articulates in his song. But, as is typical, not everyone was a fan of the ditty.
The song paints a poignant picture of the struggles of working men living in today’s society. “I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day, overtime hours for bulls**t pay so I can sit out here and waste my life away, drag back home, and drown my troubles away,” Anthony croons.
The singer takes aim at “rich men” who represent America’s political ruling class “the obese milkin’ welfare.” The message is an unapologetic musical indictment of the governing authorities who enrich themselves at the expense of regular folks. And this brings us to the members of the chattering class who are taking issue with the content of the song.
RedState’s Streiff wrote a piece chronicling complaints about Anthony’s anthem coming from the left and right sides of the political spectrum. Reason, a libertarian news site, put out a hit piece criticizing the song, especially its reference to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
“And while it gives me no pleasure to burst the bubble on Murphy's working-class realignment, not every song sung by a sad guy with a guitar is a window into the soul of blue-collar America. The Epstein lyrics probably should have made that clear."
National Review also published an article in which the author slammed Anthony for portraying America as a bleak and miserable place instead of highlighting the country’s positive aspects:
My brother in Christ, you live in the United States of America in 2023 — if you’re a fit, able-bodied man, and you’re working “overtime hours for bullshit pay,” you need to find a new job.
There’s plenty of them out there — jobs that don’t require a college degree, that offer good pay (especially in this tight labor market) and great benefits, especially if you’re willing to get your hands dirty by doing things like joining the Navy, turning wrenches, fixing pumps, laying pipe, or a hundred other jobs through which American men can still make a great living. If you’re the type of guy who’s willing to show up on time, every time, work hard while you’re on the clock, and learn hard skills — there’s a good-paying job out there for you. Go find it.
And if you go home and spend all night drowning your troubles away — either on TikTok or by drinking too much — my friend, that’s your fault, not Washington’s. Not that Washington is helping any — it’s not. But when we waste our lives, it’s still our own fault.
Progressives weren’t too fond of the tune either. The Guardian published an article taking issue with Anthony’s reference to people living on welfare. “The supposed welfare abuse sounds like a rightwing talking point, and Anthony doesn’t appear to have considered that the nefarious fudge rounds might be feeding the very people he mentioned with nothing to eat,” the author opined.
The Philadelphia Inquirer expressed similar sentiments. The author pointed out that Republicans have “kept the federal minimum wage at a paltry $7.25 since 2009” and argued that “the real problem is the focus on government and not billionaires.”
It doesn’t take a close look to identify those who have a problem with Anthony’s song. It is clear that those railing against it are the very people the singer is condemning. The establishment elites despise the sentiments he laid out the tune.
Anthony’s lyrics touch on a feeling that many Americans of all backgrounds share: The reality that the ruling class is screwing us all. People of all ethnicities, cultures, and ages can relate to the angst the song so aptly communicates. In this moment, the singer became the avatar of the everyman, the very person the mucky-mucks north of Richmond seek to subdue and exploit.
The only thing the ruling class fears is the possibility that Americans, by and large, realize that the battle isn’t between left and right, black and white, or LGBTQ and straight. These folks are terrified by the notion that people will come to recognize it is the elites who are the problem, not those with a different political persuasion, skin color, or sexuality. That is why these people are speaking out so vociferously against a country song.
What would happen if Americans finally woke up to what Anthony, and countless others, have been screaming from the rooftops? It might actually result in some change. The outcome might involve accountability for the government that has trodden on our natural rights like one might step on so many ants. This is why the elites have to discredit those willing to call them out. Perhaps we are starting to enter an era in which this no longer works.
