August 17, 2023 - 1:00pm
If you haven’t heard it yet, here’s the video of Oliver Anthony singing his viral hit “Rich Men North of Richmond”. Uploaded to YouTube just over a week ago, it’s already had 15 million views. It is also number one on the US iTunes chart — with three more of Anthony’s songs in the top 10.
For any emerging artist this would be a remarkable achievement. But the Virginian singer-songwriter was a near unknown. He’s not a full-time musician, but a factory worker turned off-the-grid farmer. Therefore, his lament for the working man in 21st century America doesn’t lack for first-person experience. His powerful performance hits home in a way that a manufactured act couldn’t hope to.
Then there are the lyrics — which are both personal and political. But what kind of politics are we taking about? The liberal Left, already alarmed by the message of the Jason Aldean hit, “Try That in a Small Town”, was quick to problematise Oliver Anthony’s song.
For instance, the reference to the “obese milkin’ welfare” has been condemned as fat-phobic, while complaints about working men’s pay being “taxed to no end” are seen pandering to the Republican agenda. A piece in Rolling Stone accused “Right-wing influencers” of “losing their minds” over the song.
However, the attacks have also come from the Right. First, the libertarian magazine Reason criticised the “anti-tax ballad” as “silly”. Then, in a rather condescending post for the National Review, Mark Antonio Wright had this to say to Anthony: “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.”
Apparently, there’s “plenty of them out there”. But I wonder if “out there” includes the swathes of heartland America devastated by Washington’s self-harming openness to Chinese mercantilism? Given that bankers and graduates have received multi-billion dollar bailouts, is it so unreasonable for the working poor to ask why their communities weren’t rescued?
In theory, Donald Trump was — and is still promised to be — their rescuer. But what did the New York property billionaire, a literal rich man North of Richmond, actually achieve for working class America?
Despite his theatrical confrontations with Beijing, there was no fundamental reordering of the trade relationship with China. There was nothing to speak of in the way of campaign finance reform, which is why Congress remains as much a money-go-round as it ever was. Trump also gave the wealthy a tax cut, while the strivers were left to a cost-of-living crisis that follows them wherever they seek work. Furthermore, for all the showy political incorrectness of the Trump years, the cultural elites remain openly hostile to the values of heartland America.
What ordinary citizens hear in “Rich Men North of Richmond” is real populism — as opposed to ersatz version. The establishment, whether in its Left-wing or Right-wing aspect, is therefore right to be wary of Oliver Anthony’s faith-infused cry for justice. It is, in the true sense of the word, prophetic.
Peter Franklin is Associate Editor of UnHerd. He was previously a policy advisor and speechwriter on environmental and social issues.
peterfranklin_
Join the discussion
Join like minded readers that support our journalism by becoming a paid subscriber
To join the discussion in the comments, become a paid subscriber.
Join like minded readers that support our journalism, read unlimited articles and enjoy other subscriber-only benefits.
SubscribeThe Left is completely oblivious. What Anthony is saying is that the Common Man is tired of ubiquitous Hyper-Government and wants to be mostly left alone. He’s talking about the Washington Establishment’s obvious desire to be more involved in the lives of Citizens which simultaneously inflates the currency and lowers quality of life.
Of course the Left is now largely made up of Critical Theorists with “Awakened Consciousness” so they can’t process this. The New World is a World of Hyper-Government intervention justified by a constant stream of “Existential Crises” that justify a constant expansion of government power.
So called “Right-Wing” Voters are generally apolitical. We would like nothing more than the government to do its very limited job of National Security and assuring basic rights are protected. We don’t think everything in life needs to be solved by Bureacratic Social Hierarchy Engineers that enrich themselves by bundling a wide range of “interconnected” problems into a rapidly expanding social insurance system and then assigning a credit score based on some Maoist identity trait. Nobody voted for this stuff.
We have a Republic in the United States. Run California and Illinois how you want. Ban gas guzzling cars, stoves and fossil fuels. Hand out Reparations and replace your police with social workers. Have at it if that’s what your voters want. But leave the rest of us alone because you’re not making our lives better. In fact, you’re making it markedly worse.
“the Left is now largely made up of Critical Theorists with “Awakened Consciousness” ”
Why don’t you define these terms for us?
This should be funny!
With pleasure. In every Marxist Variant, the goal is to redistribute economic, cultural or social capital from a group labeled Privileged Oppressors to a group labeled as Marginalized and Oppressed.
In Orthodox Marxism, every aspect of society is viewed through a Lens of Class in order to make the “oppressed” worker class hyper-aware or “awakened” to the subtle, invisible injustices of the Ownership Class that are said keep down the workers. Then once the oppressed workers realized this, they would revolt against their oppressors. But this didn’t happen in the Western World because most workers were generally happy and didn’t want to destroy a system that was steadily improving their lives.
Then Critical Theorists trained in Dialectical reasoning to be Historical Change Agents decided Marxist Revolution wasn’t successful because Class was the wrong Analytical Lens. So they set out to find a new underclass that would rise up. Enter Critical Theory which relies on a system where Academics inflame racial, sexual and cultural tensions by blaming inequality on cultural traditions which are said to prevent minority groups from accumulating social
capital. Then through ideological capture of institutions the Critical Theorist then attempt to turn culture upside down by marginalizing traditional values and centering values traditionally defined as abnormal. Herbert Marcuse called this liberating tolerance.
I was right – this is hilarious!!!!
Where do you clowns come up with this garbage? Even ChatGPT come come up with a more cogent reply – and probably with less weird capitalization!
“Then Critical Theorists trained in Dialectical reasoning to be Historical Change Agents decided Marxist Revolution wasn’t successful because Class was the wrong Analytical Lens.”
This is amazing! So much nonsense packed into one sentence!
Mmmhmmm.
Dialectic- Theory is proposed. Theory fails. New Hypothesis forms.
Historical Change Agents= Progressives
Another good term for Critical Theory would be Champagne Socialism.
Let me guess – you were home schooled, right?
You would be a more effective troll if you displayed an ounce of creativity.
You would be a more effective troll if you displayed an ounce of creativity.
Let me guess – you were home schooled, right?
You don’t even try to present a cogent argument – just invective. I’ve heard some critiques, like the role of Marcuse is overblown. But you don’t even try. It’s gross and creepy and lazy.
I don’t think CS is very bright.
You’re probably right but I am a towering intellect in this company.
You’re probably right but I am a towering intellect in this company.
Meet Gen X.
I don’t think CS is very bright.
Meet Gen X.
Mmmhmmm.
Dialectic- Theory is proposed. Theory fails. New Hypothesis forms.
Historical Change Agents= Progressives
Another good term for Critical Theory would be Champagne Socialism.
You don’t even try to present a cogent argument – just invective. I’ve heard some critiques, like the role of Marcuse is overblown. But you don’t even try. It’s gross and creepy and lazy.
Lol. This will be a lot for CS to digest.
I was right – this is hilarious!!!!
Where do you clowns come up with this garbage? Even ChatGPT come come up with a more cogent reply – and probably with less weird capitalization!
“Then Critical Theorists trained in Dialectical reasoning to be Historical Change Agents decided Marxist Revolution wasn’t successful because Class was the wrong Analytical Lens.”
This is amazing! So much nonsense packed into one sentence!
Lol. This will be a lot for CS to digest.
Nowadays the term ‘left’ essentially describes a set of spurious ideologies promoted by Wall Street which are designed to deflect attention from the largest upward transfer of wealth in history and stigmatise anyone, particularly from the working class, who might complain about it.
With pleasure. In every Marxist Variant, the goal is to redistribute economic, cultural or social capital from a group labeled Privileged Oppressors to a group labeled as Marginalized and Oppressed.
In Orthodox Marxism, every aspect of society is viewed through a Lens of Class in order to make the “oppressed” worker class hyper-aware or “awakened” to the subtle, invisible injustices of the Ownership Class that are said keep down the workers. Then once the oppressed workers realized this, they would revolt against their oppressors. But this didn’t happen in the Western World because most workers were generally happy and didn’t want to destroy a system that was steadily improving their lives.
Then Critical Theorists trained in Dialectical reasoning to be Historical Change Agents decided Marxist Revolution wasn’t successful because Class was the wrong Analytical Lens. So they set out to find a new underclass that would rise up. Enter Critical Theory which relies on a system where Academics inflame racial, sexual and cultural tensions by blaming inequality on cultural traditions which are said to prevent minority groups from accumulating social
capital. Then through ideological capture of institutions the Critical Theorist then attempt to turn culture upside down by marginalizing traditional values and centering values traditionally defined as abnormal. Herbert Marcuse called this liberating tolerance.
Nowadays the term ‘left’ essentially describes a set of spurious ideologies promoted by Wall Street which are designed to deflect attention from the largest upward transfer of wealth in history and stigmatise anyone, particularly from the working class, who might complain about it.
Excellent!
“the Left is now largely made up of Critical Theorists with “Awakened Consciousness” ”
Why don’t you define these terms for us?
This should be funny!
Excellent!
The Left is completely oblivious. What Anthony is saying is that the Common Man is tired of ubiquitous Hyper-Government and wants to be mostly left alone. He’s talking about the Washington Establishment’s obvious desire to be more involved in the lives of Citizens which simultaneously inflates the currency and lowers quality of life.
Of course the Left is now largely made up of Critical Theorists with “Awakened Consciousness” so they can’t process this. The New World is a World of Hyper-Government intervention justified by a constant stream of “Existential Crises” that justify a constant expansion of government power.
So called “Right-Wing” Voters are generally apolitical. We would like nothing more than the government to do its very limited job of National Security and assuring basic rights are protected. We don’t think everything in life needs to be solved by Bureacratic Social Hierarchy Engineers that enrich themselves by bundling a wide range of “interconnected” problems into a rapidly expanding social insurance system and then assigning a credit score based on some Maoist identity trait. Nobody voted for this stuff.
We have a Republic in the United States. Run California and Illinois how you want. Ban gas guzzling cars, stoves and fossil fuels. Hand out Reparations and replace your police with social workers. Have at it if that’s what your voters want. But leave the rest of us alone because you’re not making our lives better. In fact, you’re making it markedly worse.
Hmmm – never heard of this singer or the song so I went and looked up the lyrics. Powerful.
This article is so right about complicity from so called left and right in all this. There is a ruling class that has developed that has little difference to the old aristocracy and so little difference to serfdom for far too many people around the world.
The hope and reams and power of a renewed democracy after the horrors’ of the second world war have been in retreat for twenty or so years (at least).
Cartels, technocracy, monopolies and purchasing power (politically) of the huge multinationals has meant that the idea of one person one vote has increasingly become diluted. In fact far too many and probably most of the important decisions are made without recourse to that hindrance of democracy.
Most of us, middling well off, comfortable are simply bought and sold to fund and support a very small number of very powerful individuals who have no allegiance to any nation, no need to consider the disadvantaged anywhere (unless they can be used) and no loyalty to anything and anyone.
Whenever something happens that shows a glimmer of possible change it is stamped down relentlessly, whether this was Brexit, Trump being elected, the rise of alternative politically ideas (normally labelled far right extremism) and whenever individual voices come together there is a concerted effort to dash the hopes of any change.
Solutions? No idea. All I can do is look after myself and loved ones and try to treat people I come across with decency and respect. The whole international world order is probably now too complicated and inter-linked for any one country (even the USA) to stand aside and make a difference.
Far too much of the (western) world is fixated on cheap goods and low wage economies to keep a middle group quiet with the ability to spend; on holidays (cheap flights), new Tech (upgrade your pone, again!), cheap food (subsidies to keep farmers quiet anyone?) etc etc.
Hmmm – never heard of this singer or the song so I went and looked up the lyrics. Powerful.
This article is so right about complicity from so called left and right in all this. There is a ruling class that has developed that has little difference to the old aristocracy and so little difference to serfdom for far too many people around the world.
The hope and reams and power of a renewed democracy after the horrors’ of the second world war have been in retreat for twenty or so years (at least).
Cartels, technocracy, monopolies and purchasing power (politically) of the huge multinationals has meant that the idea of one person one vote has increasingly become diluted. In fact far too many and probably most of the important decisions are made without recourse to that hindrance of democracy.
Most of us, middling well off, comfortable are simply bought and sold to fund and support a very small number of very powerful individuals who have no allegiance to any nation, no need to consider the disadvantaged anywhere (unless they can be used) and no loyalty to anything and anyone.
Whenever something happens that shows a glimmer of possible change it is stamped down relentlessly, whether this was Brexit, Trump being elected, the rise of alternative politically ideas (normally labelled far right extremism) and whenever individual voices come together there is a concerted effort to dash the hopes of any change.
Solutions? No idea. All I can do is look after myself and loved ones and try to treat people I come across with decency and respect. The whole international world order is probably now too complicated and inter-linked for any one country (even the USA) to stand aside and make a difference.
Far too much of the (western) world is fixated on cheap goods and low wage economies to keep a middle group quiet with the ability to spend; on holidays (cheap flights), new Tech (upgrade your pone, again!), cheap food (subsidies to keep farmers quiet anyone?) etc etc.
To be fair to The Don, when he proposed tariffs on China all the commentators lost their minds. Republicans because it attacked the hallowed concept of free trade and Dems because it was a racist assault on the Chinese people.
A few years later, reshoring is all the rage and will be a central plank of GOP and Dem manifestos next year.
To be fair to The Don, when he proposed tariffs on China all the commentators lost their minds. Republicans because it attacked the hallowed concept of free trade and Dems because it was a racist assault on the Chinese people.
A few years later, reshoring is all the rage and will be a central plank of GOP and Dem manifestos next year.
This is a great song. Powerful.
This is not a political song beyond simply criticizing the elites in DC and their complete disregard for working people and their welfare.
This is not a man/woman thing, it is not a race thing, it is not a gay or anti trans thing, it is an ELITE v. the Working Class thing, a working class that more and more of the middle class are being pushed down into. This song is about the anger and the desperation, the way they just have to grind through every day, existing and not living, constantly stressed with no foreseeable way to make it end.
This is Plumbers v. Lobbyists
This is Farmers v. Big Ag and Eco Warriors
This is the average Joe who cannot understand how the elites get away with having a pedophile island while a miner cannot catch a break on a speeding ticket.
This is middle America versus the sociology departments of major universities.
This is the Average Joe and Jane versus the Elites that are making their lives miserable.
This is a great song. Powerful.
This is not a political song beyond simply criticizing the elites in DC and their complete disregard for working people and their welfare.
This is not a man/woman thing, it is not a race thing, it is not a gay or anti trans thing, it is an ELITE v. the Working Class thing, a working class that more and more of the middle class are being pushed down into. This song is about the anger and the desperation, the way they just have to grind through every day, existing and not living, constantly stressed with no foreseeable way to make it end.
This is Plumbers v. Lobbyists
This is Farmers v. Big Ag and Eco Warriors
This is the average Joe who cannot understand how the elites get away with having a pedophile island while a miner cannot catch a break on a speeding ticket.
This is middle America versus the sociology departments of major universities.
This is the Average Joe and Jane versus the Elites that are making their lives miserable.
I’m not sure how good the song is, but the raw emotion is there for sure. It really feels like an anthem for populism and a rebuke of the uni party that dominates Washington.
The National Review looks myopic by saying an able-bodied man can simply get a new job. Maybe that’s true if you are willing and able to move 1,000 miles away, but that’s not the case for millions of people in flyover land.
I’m not sure how good the song is, but the raw emotion is there for sure. It really feels like an anthem for populism and a rebuke of the uni party that dominates Washington.
The National Review looks myopic by saying an able-bodied man can simply get a new job. Maybe that’s true if you are willing and able to move 1,000 miles away, but that’s not the case for millions of people in flyover land.
An interesting review but I suspect that the references to Trump and no references to Biden say more about the reviewer’s beliefs than the song itself.
An interesting review but I suspect that the references to Trump and no references to Biden say more about the reviewer’s beliefs than the song itself.
Very powerful song. One can understand why it has gone viral. But trying to slot a song like this into one of the standard political pigeonholes feels misguided. It is mostly just a cry of pain. Perhaps that is the real political point. The 50% of the US population that has suffered economically from globalisation, automation, immigration etc since the 1990s (and the perhaps 25% of the UK population since 2008) has no rigid political views and is available to support anyone who seems to get their predicament and offers hope. Hence those who backed both Trump and Bernie – and if you found those disconcerting the next populists could be a lot more extreme unless real wages start rising on a sustained basis for the bottom half.
The key figure in Trump’s 2016 victory was Steve Bannon, who is a proponent of wealth taxes, so the opposition between Trump and Bernie is not quite so polar as the media would like us to believe.
The key figure in Trump’s 2016 victory was Steve Bannon, who is a proponent of wealth taxes, so the opposition between Trump and Bernie is not quite so polar as the media would like us to believe.
Very powerful song. One can understand why it has gone viral. But trying to slot a song like this into one of the standard political pigeonholes feels misguided. It is mostly just a cry of pain. Perhaps that is the real political point. The 50% of the US population that has suffered economically from globalisation, automation, immigration etc since the 1990s (and the perhaps 25% of the UK population since 2008) has no rigid political views and is available to support anyone who seems to get their predicament and offers hope. Hence those who backed both Trump and Bernie – and if you found those disconcerting the next populists could be a lot more extreme unless real wages start rising on a sustained basis for the bottom half.
Took me a couple of listens to realise it wasn’t about Richmond upon Thames.
maybe he meant Richmond in North Yorkshire ?
That would be Rishi Man oop North in Richmond.
That would be Rishi Man oop North in Richmond.
Well, in one way it is about Richmond on Thames. Hampstead, Highgate, Oxford and Bath too.
maybe he meant Richmond in North Yorkshire ?
Well, in one way it is about Richmond on Thames. Hampstead, Highgate, Oxford and Bath too.
Took me a couple of listens to realise it wasn’t about Richmond upon Thames.
Woke capitalism came in hard on the heels of Occupy Wall Street. Bread and cultural circuses as a distraction from class. But ultimately it’s always about the money. Pitchfork moment incoming is my strong sense. No later than 2026.
November 2024. Everyone is bracing.
November 2024. Everyone is bracing.
Woke capitalism came in hard on the heels of Occupy Wall Street. Bread and cultural circuses as a distraction from class. But ultimately it’s always about the money. Pitchfork moment incoming is my strong sense. No later than 2026.
What we should all agree on is that we are victims of someone else’s misdeeds. He or someone in his household is certainly on a government assistance stream.
Shall we say, then: Wo to Philosophism, that it destroyed Religion, what it called ‘extinguishing the abomination (ecraser ‘l’infame)’? Wo rather to those that made the Holy an abomination, and extinguishable; wo at all men that live in such a time of world-abomination and world-destruction! Nay, answer the Courtiers, it was Turgot, it was Necker, with their mad innovating; it was the Queen’s want of etiquette; it was he, it was she, it was that. Friends! it was every scoundrel that had lived, and quack-like pretended to be doing, and been only eating and misdoing, in all provinces of life, as Shoeblack or as Sovereign Lord, each in his degree, from the time of Charlemagne and earlier.
The French Revolution by Thomas Carlyle
No republican solution available, but remember the wheels on the guillotine make it very mobile and it can be repurposed for others.
No republican solution available, but remember the wheels on the guillotine make it very mobile and it can be repurposed for others.
What we should all agree on is that we are victims of someone else’s misdeeds. He or someone in his household is certainly on a government assistance stream.
Shall we say, then: Wo to Philosophism, that it destroyed Religion, what it called ‘extinguishing the abomination (ecraser ‘l’infame)’? Wo rather to those that made the Holy an abomination, and extinguishable; wo at all men that live in such a time of world-abomination and world-destruction! Nay, answer the Courtiers, it was Turgot, it was Necker, with their mad innovating; it was the Queen’s want of etiquette; it was he, it was she, it was that. Friends! it was every scoundrel that had lived, and quack-like pretended to be doing, and been only eating and misdoing, in all provinces of life, as Shoeblack or as Sovereign Lord, each in his degree, from the time of Charlemagne and earlier.
The French Revolution by Thomas Carlyle
I heard a few moments of the Anthony Oliver song. The standard modern country dirge that the hicks seem to love. Good luck to him.
But the Aldean one is a different matter. His tough guy fantasy is the usual nonsense and could be otherwise ignored, as I do with most of this rubbish. But recording the video in front of the courthouse where an infamous lynching occurred is not exactly subtle.
Lol. He didn’t choose the location of course. I do think Aldean is a grifter playing to his audience – using polarization to advance his career.
Are you really that naïve? You think that he ended up singing his lynching fantasy garbage in front of the site of an infamous lynching by accident?!?!?
Even you can’t be that stupid.
Lol. CS touting conspiracy theories. You could probably throw a rock at every courthouse in the south, and half of them would hit a building where a lynching occurred.
You are that stupid!
You’re an interesting cat CS. Must have been bullied as a child. Or maybe you’re still being bullied.
You’re not interesting in the slightest.
Standard conservative stupidity.
Try saying that in a small town.
What you going to do about it, kiddo?
What you going to do about it, kiddo?
Try saying that in a small town.
You’re not interesting in the slightest.
Standard conservative stupidity.
You’re an interesting cat CS. Must have been bullied as a child. Or maybe you’re still being bullied.
The thing about that snide remark is you are not wrong.
https://hwfo.substack.com/p/top-ten-most-picturesque-tennessee?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
You are that stupid!
The thing about that snide remark is you are not wrong.
https://hwfo.substack.com/p/top-ten-most-picturesque-tennessee?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Lol. CS touting conspiracy theories. You could probably throw a rock at every courthouse in the south, and half of them would hit a building where a lynching occurred.
Aren’t they all? I see Snow White got mullered this week for her views. Who knew a few drawves could do that?
Are you really that naïve? You think that he ended up singing his lynching fantasy garbage in front of the site of an infamous lynching by accident?!?!?
Even you can’t be that stupid.
Aren’t they all? I see Snow White got mullered this week for her views. Who knew a few drawves could do that?
Lol. He didn’t choose the location of course. I do think Aldean is a grifter playing to his audience – using polarization to advance his career.
I heard a few moments of the Anthony Oliver song. The standard modern country dirge that the hicks seem to love. Good luck to him.
But the Aldean one is a different matter. His tough guy fantasy is the usual nonsense and could be otherwise ignored, as I do with most of this rubbish. But recording the video in front of the courthouse where an infamous lynching occurred is not exactly subtle.