Rich Men North of Richmond Strikes a Mighty Chord

Nothing compares to music for bridging sides, bringing people together, especially when it is the right song for the right moment.  We can all learn from Oliver Anthony today.  (He has no wiki entry as of this post.)  He captures the purity of the conservative revolt against the world.  He captures the essence of American blue collar frustration.  He captures the basic rage that fuels the Donald Trump phenomenon.  But he captures a lot more than that.

"Rich Men North of Richmond" is the song for this moment.  In 8 days it has 17 million views on YouTube.  And not just right-wingers.  Though obviously political, this song taps into something about our time and place that actually transcends politics and culture.

Variety calls it "an instant smash among conservatives" but if that's all anyone sees here, they are not looking or listening close enough.

Watch an articulate rapper react to this song here.  "Damn.  I don't even know what to say.  That's crazy.  I don't know why, man.  That's like speaking to my heart and soul."

Watch how this non-American black woman reacts here, calling it a "sad reality" even though she can't help but listen to it again and again.

Watch how these four brothers are joking around but soon become enraptured here.  "When I hear them vocals, I put my hand over my heart, man."  They break down their take it on what the song is about.

Watch these two guys dig the lyric "living in the new world with an old soul" here.  They penetrate the heart of the line: "I wish politicians would look out for minors and not just minors on an island somewhere."  One of them concludes: "I hope this man doesn't get cancelled because he was spitting facts.  There was a lot of truth in that."  The other says, "He used four chords and the truth."

Watch two white guys react here.  For them the song is about: "It don't matter what side.  If you're democrat or republican or anything like that.  It's normal, regular people.  Everyone's trying to survive out here."

This poet analyzes the song in detail (and nails it in my opinion) here.  "He cries for us metaphorically through the song.  It's just a pure, deep soul groaning."  This has more of a "culture warrior" take on it. 

Everybody that listens to this song can't help but hear it again and analyze it.  For reasons we should all investigate and hold as important, Oliver Anthony has broken free today and entered momentary musical glory. 

Trump has tapped into this stuff but it is far larger than a glorified mobster boss can fathom.  This is a feeling people of all stripes feel, this is the classic American worker, anti-elitist anthem, and yet it transcends America itself.  And, actually, that is hopeful.  Because Trump and his people can support this song but they can't own it.  It is something bigger than that.

"Rich Men North of Richmond" is only beginning to cause a stir in the world today, especially throughout America.  This is a folk song in the classic Woody Guthrie tradition.  It has a lot more bite to it than Guthrie but these are new times.  The bite feels totally appropriate here.  

Some people have had all that they can take.  Right or left, right or wrong, there is a loud message here, rendered with a simple, powerful artistry today.  There is a groaning soul today, an old soul in a new world.  I'm sorry you suffer and sorry so many suffer in their own way listening to this song.  But it is an inspired suffering.  

Oliver Anthony sings angrily but he still resonates.  In fact, his honest anger might be what most of us connect with in this song.  The world can benefit from understanding the frustrated sadness he expresses and why he expresses it.  Those of us living in this "new world" can't afford to discount stuff like this.  That is no longer an option.  You cannot claim to understand what's happening in America today without understanding this song and what an impact it is having.

This melancholy lament is where most people find themselves.  Like the reactor said above, it's about "regular people."  Now, I know there is some MAGA angst in this song.  But other people are finding this relevant for different reasons.  And I think Oliver Anthony will accept those people and gather with them in this moment.  

Oh, bring us together that we may sing from our souls.

Late Note:  I have a great idea for the left end of the culture war!  Let's attack this song and show everyone else how much we are actually like Donald Trump in terms of tactics and tone.  Yeah, that'll bring folks to our side in droves!  

On second thought let's not.  But, predictably, they did anyway.  New York Magazine, bless them, wants to position this tune with "the incoherence of the Right-wing Populism," failing utterly to see the broader emotional support for the song, as presented in the reactions above.  NME brands it as "offensive" and "fatphobic."  Hahahahahaha! 

Dead wrong on all accounts.  One reason the song resonates across the political spectrum is because it speaks about things the entire spectrum can (or should) find relatable.  The fact is about 40% of Americans on food stamps are obese (as opposed to 32% of the general population) while the number of homeless in the country is rampant, receiving little or no assistance.  This absurdity is what everyone intuitively understands.  This is part of the "truth" the vast majority hear in this song.

Those offended by the song are just as much a part of the problem with America today as the MAGA bunch who embrace it.  I've already discussed this problem as a defining part of dystopia in America today in my post on "The sameness of the opposites."  

By the way, it's the next day now and the video is up to 21 million views.  Four million more since yesterday.  If the liberals want to advance their cause they need to begin by understanding what this tune reflects and why it connects with so many people.  So many liberal policies, implemented with the best of intentions, have become just another sad story of government overreach and failure.  Ponder that instead of acting offended and giving us the knee-jerk reaction that Oliver Anthony is phobic.  He's pissed and he has a general fear for the future and tens of millions of people like him will vote in 2024.  

If we're going to take back the supreme court and continue with progressive policies and build a more inclusive society, we have to reckon with and respect the rage that lies in the heartland of America today.  Failure to do so, as NME and New York Magazine have failed to do, will only continue to set the whole country back.

August 25:  It's topping 40 million views today.  It is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was played before the Republican presidential debate last night.  Oliver Anthony released this video today in an attempt to clarify the song.  It is good to see his message is in line with what I picked up one in my original post.

In part he says:  "It's driving people crazy to see the unity that's come from this, from all walks.  This isn't a republican and democrat thing.  This isn't even a United States thing.  Like, this has been a global response.  Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.  Go on YouTube and watch all the response videos.  And don't shoot the messenger.  Like, I'm a nobody.  It's my belief that divine intervention has put me in this position at this point in time to get a message across and that's all there is to it.  Like, I'm nobody special....I don;t deserve to sit in the top five places on the iTunes charts.  And the truth is I really couldn't really give a shit about the iTunes charts.  What I care about is connecting with people.  I don't know what this country is going to look like in 10 – 20 years if things don't change.  I don't know what this world is going to look like and something has to be done about it, you know.  There's been too many people die.  There's been too many people sacrifice everything they've had.  People before they're even 18, you know.  Just for us to all set here and just do the stupid shit that we do every day that keeps us all beat down and divided.  That's what I want to see stop.  I'm going to do everything I can to influence that.  At all costs.  Even if it does throw my world upside down it's well worth it.  But for now I'm hanging in there and I'm doing what I can.  And I really appreciate everybody who's along for the ride."

August 31: Over 50 million views.