Why Is This Song So Controversial?!
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2023
- A unexpected artist has exploded this week in the music industry. Oliver Anthony performed his song "Rich Men North Of Richmond" and within a week has over 30 million views and he's top the Billboard chart entering straight at Number 1 and breaking records. What's going on? What's the big deal? Is this a brilliant example of a song going on a journey of its own. Once we release a song into the world, it takes on a life of its own. What do you think about it and the hype? Is it really that controversial?
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And you can watch the original music video here: • Oliver Anthony - Rich ...
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Yes I’m coming to see you at Alcatraz in Milan this November. It’s my first time seeing you and at this venue.
Still no Texas dates...bummed.
Excellent question, Justin (I hope the real Justin is allowed to read this).
It’s ONLY a “big deal” if you subscribe to Neo-Marxist beliefs, like:
The Rich oppress The Poor (Karl Marx’s Conflict Theory),
and “The Patriarchy oppress Women”,
and “White Americans oppress racial and other minorities” (Herbert Marcuse’s Critical Rave Theory).
ANY, and I mean ANY, expression of, Right-Wing or Traditional values are pure anathema to these Marxist-minded people.
They’ll label any sentiments about race as “racist” or “supremacist”…
Any sentiments about nation as “hyper nationalistic”….
It’s madness, Justin!
@@theoneandonlyjonasvdidn’t you hear?!
Texas is full of crazy gun-nuts! And cowboys!
/s
get a dobo you is puuurty good picka
I don't believe this song is controversial. I feel only the media would think it's controversial.
I think people are sick of that, and this song is proof. "Hey did you know that X is bad now because" it's like, just shut up. I'm already not listening anymore. I heard Queen was sexist or whatever the fk because of Fat Bottom Girls now. No, the answer is no. Just give it a rest media boys lol, goodness sakes..
they are offended that he is offended by their largess with his taxes is what it amounts to....or maybe the view from the bottom is just too grubby for their tastes. it is one thing to know the problem is there it is another to get your nose rubbed in the fact that your feel good philanthropy is actually harming the people your helping.
@@kevint1910 I think they need that tho. To be rubbed in it.
This song was being marketed as controversial before anyone had even heard it. It’s a bullshit fake working class song
Im a left wing guy, and I’d be right there with this song if it weren’t for that second verse. He switches from attacking the rich to attacking the poor. That’s what keeps me from liking this song.
"Let's face it, his voice is fucking great." It is, indeed 😊
Well, he's no Marvin Gaye, but to each his own I guess.
@@maximusindicusoblivious180haha
@@maximusindicusoblivious180 There's different kinds of great. James Taylor is great, Metallica great too. A well made steak is great, so is a well made roast. There are lots of great things out there, and we can both we don't have to choose one or the other, what a time to be alive.
😮 the 5'3 300 pound line kills me. While I find the word pretentious when people say it, I can only attribute it to the duality of a serious song with comedic insult hiding in there somewhere.
Another Tyler Childers wannabe whinging for attention in the only place he can get it.
I'm not American, I'm a working class lad from the north of England, and this song really resonates, just goes to show the plights universal, gets me right in the f*****g feels it does. I often wonder if the backlash around songs like this says more about the offended then it does the creator
I'm not entirely convinced that the people who oppose this are actually offended, more likely they are just terrified that people might actually start to think for themselves and begin questioning the way their respective government spends their hard earned tax dollars and pounds. Welfare ideally should be a helping hand, a short lived form of financial support to stop people from falling so far down there is no way back up - not a long term lifestyle choice funded by hardworking people.
Same mate same
@@clarkdavison40 the majority of people, in this country, on benefits are actually working. Our taxes are being used to financially subsidise the wage costs of companies that make a fortune in profits.
@@angelaclarke3305 Firstly, my comment was not limited to "this country" and clearly included America (tax dollars).
Secondly, we have a complex benefits system in "this country" and my response was not a detailed discussion of the entire welfare state which I am more than happy to debate in terms of cost benefit analysis and the effectiveness or lack thereof of the current system.
My point still stands, in that "welfare" and to be more precise "unemployment" or "out of work" benefits in particular was designed to be a short term measure.
The unadjusted claimant count for people claiming unemployment related benefits in the UK was 1.57 million in July 2023.
This was was 29,000 more than the month before, 39,300 more than in July 2022 and
342,000 more than the pre-pandemic month of March 2020.
In February 2022, 22 million people were claiming some form of benefits, in England, Scotland and Wales. This includes Child Benefit of course which is given to every "family" with one or more children regardless of need and this payment drastically skews the figures.
After the state pension, universal credit (UC) is the government's joint-highest benefit spend.
In July 2022, 5.7 million people were claiming it, about 41% of whom have jobs. Since 41% does not constitute a "majority" this would contradict your information. This also does not include those receiving state pension, most of whom are not "working".
As you can see this is a multi-variable and highly complex system, figures can be used in isolation or in combination to paint very different pictures depending on which position you want to take.
My comment was not limited to welfare spending, that was just one example and I stated it as an "ideal" as opposed to a "fact".
Most of us are aware of the failures of "big government" in allocating tax revenue in the optimum way and that "big business" via lobbyists and a revolving door of ex Politicians (who move into highly paid executive positions on inflated salaries after failing the electorate) know how to game the system.
The main point I was trying to make, which interestingly you chose not to respond to at all was that:
"the people who oppose this are (not) actually offended, more likely they are just terrified that people might actually start to think for themselves and begin questioning the way their respective government spends their hard earned tax dollars and pounds."
@@clarkdavison40 you should have a read of this since your data seems to be incorrect. www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-statistics-29-april-2013-to-14-july-2022/universal-credit-statistics-29-april-2013-to-14-july-2022#:~:text=There%20were%202.3%20million%20people,periods%20covering%2010%20June%202021.
Everyone of every race and culture: This song is amazing!
The Media: this song is dividing us!
It’s dividing the corrupt, corporate sell-out, establishment politicians from their voters, that’s all.
The media are nothing but the arm of the propaganda machine of the communists.
True, he's literally been saying he's a centrist and the media hate that because the media are either left or right
The media are just the puppets as are the politicians .. it's the puppet masters hiding in their shadows who are making this world a worse place .
If this song skewers politicians so bad, then why did politicians reference it so much in the GOP Debate? His rhetoric is useful for the people in charge...
You should definitely get a resonator guitar, then make a country album. You know you want to.
NO!
I WANT JUSTIN TO LIVE!!!
Bluegrass heals the soul
Do a collab with Danny Worsnop, he put out a country album a few years ago. 2 British rockers making a bluegrass record. I'd pay good money to see that.
I could see it.
@@djjazzyjeff1232Oh that's right he's British, huh? Brits doing the American West.
The line “Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of Fudge Rounds”. Many people seem to interpret that as we shouldn’t take care of the obese and poor, or blame themselves. But it could also mean that the taxes should be used for something better, like helping the poor with access to better food, healthcare and so forth.
exactly. When you consider the levels of diabetes on some Native reservations and then think about how the government provided food is utter crap...
@@CamronLummus-mx6zj exactly. And in some areas the supply of stuff like fresh fruit and veg is very expensive due to transport.
Such a powerful song because we are all feeling it. But I think you are engaging in wishful thinking. He does say in the previous sentence: “and the obese milking welfare”.
The rich got us fighting between ourselves.
He did say he wanted to bring people together, not divide. So I hope he will do that instead of putting vulnerable people down.
The lyrics "we got folks in the street, ain't got nothin' to eat and the obese milkin' welfare" make me think his point is that the government is just incompetent at fixing problems.
So his hissy fit is not just focused on rich people but also poor fat people? Got it!
Agree 100%. Sounds to me like a classic anti-establishment country tune in the vein of Johnny Cash. Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, a tale of the haves vs the have-nots and how the4 system screws us all. Not particularly "conservative", and definitely not partisan or political. It's just honest and heartfelt, and you can feel his anguish as he sings it.
The lyrics are quite naive IMO, he first regonizes the rich are the problem, but the continues to blame the poor. And there's few lines there that are straight from Regan's "wellfare queen" -rhetoric. It's a nice song but the lyrics spoil it for me.
@@hauntyoohe doesn’t blame the poor… he blames the system poor people are on… if you’ve ever lived in a poor area it’s clear some people take advantage of welfare that the government allows to happen
@@projectc.j.j3310 yes, but it's such an small portion, and every system has it's flaws. But the lyrics still come across like the same rhetoric Regan used to put the blame ln the poor, and to demonize wellfare programs.
@@hauntyoo Nah dude, it's not. Rent seeking is a huge problem among the working poor and I say that knowing quite a few people I know and love have fallen into that trap. Rent seeking doesn't just kick those who don't have the ability or will to do so, but it also prevents you from making the best you can of yourself and puts yourself in a position where you are fundamentally dependent on a system that will keep you exactly where you are the rest of your life.
Johnny cash wouldn’t blame poor people on benefits for the state of the country.
You can feel his raw emotion in every word and the further he gets into song the more you can hear the crescendo of his frustration building.
Justin! This is the first video I found from your channel. Instant subscribe! Your music had a major impact on me and my own music when I discovered it in Highschool and it continues to inspire me. It’s so cool that these days I’m able to get a message to you like this. Never would have imagined that back then. Haha
"Justin Hawkins Rides Again" played on a resonator guitar? Absolutely 👍
I always love songs that have same progression but singer essentially creates unique melodies for verse and chorus to keep it moving. The guitar tone and vocals are infectious.
I love you Justin. I never knew you had a channel. Im so pleased you do. I always wondered what happened to you. Im ecstatic to have found you here and able to listen to you in a more personal setting. Loved your music. Now im looking forward to seeing you more often!
I would say it's a very honest song and many people resonate with it. That song is what a lot of us are thinking and feeling.
If this song skewers politicians so bad, then why did politicians reference it so much in the GOP Debate? His rhetoric is useful for the people in charge...
Man Justin I love to see your growth on UA-cam! I remember you having just about 15k subscribers maybe a year or so ago. Doesn't seem like it's been that long. You have an infectious personality. You deserve all the success even outside of your band! Much love from Texas
I live in Chesapeake Va and he has played locally down south of me in Currituck county NC. He played at a produce stand and a country bar restaurant. Over 6,000 people showed up at both events. Streets were blocked off for this gentleman. He did meet and greets for free and just wants his songs heard. I’m not a country guy by no means , but he has exploded for sure.
One day you'll realise that the Republicans are on the side of the corporations and not on yours... and you'll just feel so silly.
It's like the 'working class' Tories myth in the UK.
@@jack-a-lopium
With a lot of help from right wing culture war morons.
@@jack-a-lopiumOne day you'll realize that democrats are on the side of corporations but the difference being they will have taken any means for you to defend yourself and your family as they take your children away for gender reassignment.....
@@jack-a-lopiumand then one day you will realize that both are one in the same
It’s resonating with people because it’s real music, from a different time. No autotune no overproduction just real.
Plus people love being told that their problems are someone else's fault, not their own.
@@gahangore111 this x10000000
He mentions total control, I think the fraud of the last 3 years is the main chord hit here followed by the mention of paedophilic behaviour of people in power .
He hit power square between the eyes!
@@gahangore111 Although with the topic of this song specifically... It's not a projection thing, it's the actual truth.
@@demonboy50Yes, quite. This prick @gahangore111 needs to check his/her head.
Go ahead, get yourself the guitar, life’s way too short!
That's some expert advice right there
Dobro guitars are so much fun! Especially made by Gretsch. Their quality is always on top level! Even though it's produced under Fender's eye now.
Yes I agree get a national resonator, if you want a resonator and live dire straits you gotta get one. Also @sah-win love the Samhain pic 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Major Old Crow Medicine Show vibes. Love your reactions as always! Hope you have the best time on tour too :)
it's a really heartfelt song, we've all been left down by the system and our govts, people will unite or keep fending for themselves, greetings from south of the continent
Another Tyler Childers wannabe whinging for attention in the only place he can get it.
It's a raw heartfelt song from someone who has dealt with terrible mental issues, drug abuse and the pain we're all feeling nowadays. Not sure if you can have a soul if you don't like this song. It's been so heartening to see the reaction of people online, they absolutely love it from all corners all races, all different types of people. It just rings true...
I call BS. Blaming fat people on welfare is only taking the blame OFF the Rich Men.. so telling me I have no soul because I see this song as targeting the wrong people isn't really that constructive..
I think that if you don’t understand this song then you probably live better than most or your just completely blind.
@@dwightsdinkdiary1772 I'm very poor, with 20/20 vision and I understand this song to be pointing the finger of blame at folks on welfare - it's called "punching down". But I'm sure all the Rich Men are overjoyed that everyone is lapping up this crap. Just look at the lyrics FFS..
"
I wish politicians would look out for miners
And not just minors on an island somewhere
Lord, we got folks in the street, ain't got nothin' to eat
And the obese milkin' welfare
Well, God, if you're 5-foot-3 and you're 300 pounds
Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of fudge rounds"
So short fat people on welfare are the problem?? Nope - I reckon it's you that doesn't understand the song..
Yeah, that's kinda it right. This is a classic standard born today. You can't NOT understand it and empathize. It's simply too nutshell to and politically ambiguous to get outraged over. I mean, you shouldn't anyway but this! Nah, dude. That's silly. Somebody's projecting their "intolerance" of others hard. Right.
It's a song and it's honest. Whatever.
Be cool
Impeccable timing at 5:20
Justin: "Easy peasy."
*_Unpauses video_*
Oliver: "Oh it is?"
!😆😆😆😆
hahah great spot
The controversy comes from using people on welfare as a scapegoat for your frustrations on taxes, people on welfare, disability, any kind of benefit are always used as a scapegoat when we are a fraction of the population, yes I'm on benefits, I broke my neck two months before my 16th birthday and was left a quadriplegic, paralysed from the chest down, I also help run a chat room for people with disabilities of which the majority are also on benefits, most of these people are forced to live with roommates / flatmates in order to share the cost of rent which in most cases is more than the actual benefits themselves,
but nobody points out the benefits that these Rich men north of Richmond get working politics, all of the travel expenses covered, housing expenses, private planes, eating allowance to wine and dine other Rich Men North of Richmond, does anybody remember the articles which came out about Ben Carson spending thousands of dollars on a fancy pen set, tens of thousands of dollars on dining tables and silverware, on the tax payers dollar so he could wine and dine other Rich Men North of Richmond,
also let's not forget that the cheapest food in America is the worst for you, full of fat and sugar which can quickly and easily lead to obesity when you have mobility problems or cannot afford the luxury of an active life,
And ultimately who is the problem, the rich men or the poor man? I would also like to add that the path back to getting off welfare, to getting off benefits, is incredibly challenging because the moment you feel like you're getting your head above water, they kick you down, you cannot even save money without them subtracting something, because they figure if you can save, you have too much, it's so bad that if you are on food stamps and somebody gifts you a $25 gift card for Applebee's for your birthday, your supposed report this so they can deduct the amount from your food stamps, so imagine trying to save for a vehicle in order to get back to work?
either way it's just ironic to title your song Rich Men North of Richmond (politicians) and then point your finger blame the poor!
Thank you for this master class on why the bootstrap metaphor is BS! A song like this kicking downward at those on benefits really just sickens my stomach. He had a good 1st verse, then it all went to hell.
You seem like a smart person Derek. I agree with you on your understanding of the meaning of this song. I think a big problem is that people are so divided that it is really hard to make changes in politics. All citizens should be able to afford healthy food and be able to live in a clean and safe home and have health care and paid vacation. And affordable education opportunities.
For real. My son is a type 1 diabetic. You can imagine how expensive that is and no daycares can care for him so we only have a single income. He was on Medicaid for a short time until apparently my husband made $20 extra bucks one month and that was too much. Kicked off Medicaid. Have a friend with a 19yr old daughter who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. He is a single parent with no extra income coming in. She was recently kicked off Medicaid too. All that money they saved by fucking over regular people was sent straight to Ukraine so then it could be laundered back into their own pockets. It is unbelievably maddening. I know in the long run we will be ok tho. Might not have the best house on the block or the nicest car...nor do we ever get to vacation. But at least my son is here.
i believe that no one has a problem with welfare, we have a problem with people that have nothing wrong with them abusing it. i have worked in grocery stores for almost 30 years, i see the young perfectly capable people that somehow get by on it, while 50 year old me with knee problems and fused discs in my back have to lug crates of produce around for sloppy rude young and strong people with access cards to come load their carts with. NO ONE has a problem with someone that is quadriplegic being on welfare and you should not take offence and think it is aimed at you when someone is complaining about welfare.
Amen!
6:39 i would highly recommend getting a resonator, they just sound absolutely amazing especially in open tunings and with a cheeky bit of slide action.
I haven't bought a song on iTunes in a long time, but I bought that one. I think it's really great how barebones it is. It has echoes of when Grunge killed Hair Metal. I feel like we're due for a shift in popular culture, is it here?
Try Benjamin Tod
Not a chance; this song has already been co - opted by the rich men everywhere - you saw it used in the Republican political circus - Oops, I mean Convention - sort of.
The People - the Voters - have already taken note, and they will dig seeing this man on the talk shows, but NOTHING is going to get done. Revolution is called for, real, unpleasant and uncomfortable; with it's real inconvenience and it's body counts, and the REAL horrors of a revolution - the end of food in stores, showa on TV, and the end of internet service. This song is interesting, but NOTHING will happen - in real terms - because of it.
I haven't been on iTunes in a long time. However, I still buy music on Amazon. If I like it, I buy it for my own library.
How about THE truth…not this bs “my….your….etc”…THE truth and nothing but
Is there such a thing as "the" truth?
Hey Justin I watched the finale of Ted Lasso last night and I got really excited when one of the characters was wearing a The Darkness t shirt! I Believe In A Thing Called Love has been one of my favorite songs since it first came out when I was in high school. Thanks for making these videos, I enjoy your commentary on music and current events.
That's what helped me to find Justin! I saw that shirt and remembered how much I loved that song. I was pleasantly surprised to see he has his own channel.
That show had not just 1, but 2 Spiritualized songs. ❤❤❤
I just got apple tv for that show, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, not liking sports I figured it might not be for me.
Justin always breaks things down so simply and accurately.
And with a level of style and gravitas as well
A brutally honest and truthful song from start to finish. Very well written and amazingly performed.
If this song skewers politicians so bad, then why did politicians reference it so much in the GOP Debate? His rhetoric is useful for the people in charge...
@jeffreyblack6611 why do you keep commenting the same comment?
@@MarkelleRayneeShereeI guess bc I can and there is no rule against it. Why can’t you debate the point. The fact politicians are using the song to run political campaigns shows the rhetoric is not threatening to the interests who fund their campaigns
@@jeffreyblack6611 all politicians are blood suckers. The reality tho is this song is on point. We have a UniParty of domestic enemies in DC. A small handful are for our freedoms and our pursuit of happiness. Those are the ones that I can see who would use a song like this to sell their stand. The reality is that it makes people against our freedoms and such quite upset. They hate sunlight..
@@TVoltG Blaming politicians for being corrupt is like blaming kermit the frog for saying the n-word instead of blaming Jim Henson. Unless you're going after the capitalists who fund their campaigns, youre doing exactly what they want you to do.
I listened to it when first came out. YT played it rolling in from something else… i can understand the uproar but like you say, i just see someone pouring out what they feel in a very real honest way with a stunning voice.
Were so used to polished tracks that when something like this comes along it stands out a mile. And im so glad it does.
What part of the uproar can you understand?
Thank you Justin for your “Four chords and the Truth” breakdown!
That's a daft question Justin, the answer to 'should I get another guitar?', is always yes. Emphatically so for a man of your talent.
The real question is “why doesn’t he already have one?!?” 🤦🏻♀️😂
🦅🤓…💖
Such a rich mans dilemma to be thinking of buying a new expensive guitar in the middle of a heartfelt blue colour conversation! How could you be so gauche Justin! lol (Lots of Lettuce)
@@NinStardust this is true! You are wise! 🦅🤓... ❤️
@@Crashed2023 ah, but if he buys enough guitars he won't be a rich man anymore!
@@Crashed2023that‘s blue collar, not colour…
That guitar is iconic, I got Brothers in Arms for my 12th birthday and had never seen anything like it before; You should get one I'd love to see you play it!
It reminds me of a time when music wasn't over produced. It felt more raw and had more feeling. I have old recordings that were made in a hotel room that aren't perfect but sound better than songs using compression, autotune, digital drums...
Very nice review sir, love the breakdowns of the music. Basic song, 4 chords from the heat is a win all day. Just a man's voice and a resonator guitar in THE PERFECT setting to record it. ❤❤❤
There is no doubt that Justin must now get himself a Oliver/Knopfler guitar, that could bring some new and interesting ideas in the future Darkness music. That would be interesting to hear 😃
In case anyone is curious and wants to look it up, it's called a resonator guitar
@@RAINE____ I know, but it is more fun to call that one; Brothers in Arms guitar LOL
@@RAINE____ Never knew what it was called. Thanks
I hadn't - Thanks for this man. Love these videos were your musicianship and passion for music really shines through
Can't wait to hear your intro on resonator! I think it's going to sound darn cool! 😄
FOUR CHORDS AND THE TRUTH!!! This is literally the best five word summary I ever heard for a song in my entire life! Genius.
It is fantastic isn’t it? It’s an old saying but it gets renewed when a track like this comes out.
@@hawk8403 I didn’t know that. Never heard it. Fits pretty great here tho.
You must be new to music to have never heard that slogan before. It’s actually 3 chords and the truth.
@@shadeshadyshade254 if you say so, sure.
If this song skewers politicians so bad, then why did politicians reference it so much in the GOP Debate? His rhetoric is useful for the people in charge...
I also considered the Resonator, but I bought the Baby Sitar from Danelectro [a bridge type resonator guitar]
Justin, you’re the only person who I watch on UA-cam who gets this. Everyone has reacted to it, haha. Americans think it’s political cause they can’t think beyond politics anymore. Oliver Anthony is talking about what’s wrong with our lives and systems. Not one side of the corrupt system.
I think the overwhelming response to this blue collar anthem shows that Americans are finally starting to understand that. The American political left has always claimed to represent the working class, with the right taking the side of business. The left has fully abandoned the working class, leaving them feeling they have no representation. The globalist agenda has done this all over the world and people ARE starting to wake up to it, at this late date.
I'm from America, everyone I've seen react to this regardless of political affiliation says it transcends politics, it's our media that is trying to attach it to an alt right narrative, also the rich men north of Richmond is the politicians in washington d.c, they've made the system the way it is, so take from that what you will. This song has united alot of people ( for the time being )
"this song about politicians and welfare isn't political guys!!!!" just say you agree with the message fsss
Ya, except those democrat dirt bags are saying this guy/song are far right. Idiots.
Where can i get these free packs of frudge rounds?
You can feel the pain and frustration in his voice.
Good stuff Justin! Love your shirt too! ☘️
Knitwear en pointe as per usual Justin, matches your sunny disposition too 🌞 Really earnest performance from OA, you can really feel his pain & frustration 😢
I love how the song seems to start out in both minor and major at the same time but then the sound sort of oscillates back in forth through the first verse.
I love these song reactions. Breaking it apart and figuring it out is brilliant. Truly entertaining!
Yes to the resonator....along with a review of Johnny Flynn's "Detectorists". A little bit of East Anglian magic.
Yes! Speaking of detectorists, a look at The Unthanks doing 'Magpie' would be cool too.
@@ekek9510 love magpie by the unthanks. The harmonies are magical
SUCH an underrated show!❤
...and follow up with a review of his duet of "The Water" with Laura Marling.......and then down the Laura Marling rabbit hole.....
@@simond5208ah I love Laura Marling, all of the above would be brilliant on this channel!
It's not clear to some people, so I'll clarify that the Rich men north of Richmond are the politicians in D.C.
EDIT: Here's my take. The song is about a combination of both government overreach as well as government ineptitude. The welfare verse was an example of government ineptitude, not punching down on people on welfare. If you consider where most people get their lyric ideas from, it's typically from things they see on a regular basis. Could he have raged against the military industrial complex and the overspending of taxation there? Sure, but it wouldn't have resonated with most people since it's a fairly abstract concept. There are a LOT of people who work full time crappy jobs and make less money than people on welfare, and I'm sure a lot of those workers think there's probably something wrong with how the government is handling that (you can read into that a number of ways, but almost all of those ways come out with the government looking inept).
And Richmond wasn't the capital of the slavers in the Confederacy. And this ginger clown didn't open his new online identity with anti Semitic 911 conspiracies.
Oh no, wait, both those things are true, and you see things with all the clarity of a trained spaniel
@fantano
Cheers for that.
@@dBuckID😂 I know right? That dude really took interpretation to the next level 😂 I couldn’t believe when I heard his take on it
Really? Nothing to do with Richmond Virginia, Confederate state capital then?
Well done! As always!!! Thank you!
A lovely take on this. I feel like whenever anyone does well, there is an effort/desire by some to find fault with it, rather than just accept it for what it is. Almost like anything that's popular can't actually be good. Do you know what I mean? I'm so glad you didn't do that.
The song for me is about the “plight of the working class” and the disillusionment they are having as they wake up to the fact the ruling elite couldn’t care about them and that’s why is resonated so hard
The fact this has been spun into a “political song” to attack him is madness to me especially when so little is known about him or his motives, that both camps apply them without knowing his character is sad
He literally calls out poor people for being fat on welfare. How is that not political?
To hear your spin on Romeo And Juliet would be a treat. Resonator guitar for the win!
Oh damn!! I have been subbed to your channel for awhile, I love musical critique videos, and I just now Googled you name. Nice!! I had no idea, The Darkness was huge a while back.
I see now this info is right in the video description.
Thank you for your show. I love it!
Thank you for giving this song a critique. Check out his other songs also. He really is a talented bloak!
Bloke
Another Tyler Childers wannabe whinging for attention in the only place he can get it.
The fact that it blew up the way it did says one thing: we can’t stand our politicians anymore and know what they are up to.
@@russellzaunerdon’t be THAT GUY bruh.
Great video Justin. Johnny Flynn uses an electro Rez to good effect.
Man I could listen to you talk about music all day! Love ya Brother! Blessings from middle America!
The reason we write the songs is to break through the insanity. It's at pivotal moment where your inner person breaks through your skin, and says this is a beautiful world I'm a good person. I have to survive I have to see the world my way. I must make a road that I can walk on. A road I can share❤.. myself when I write music I do it for myself and for other people. What I do is what he does. we write mantras so that we can survive.😅. The light is brilliant centauri. People that are afraid to let go rely on religion and politics when that has failed, they go inside❤
The "Blue collar anthem" is what it's been dubbed. I think it's an absolutely gorgeous composition because the music (instrumental) makes you feel the emotion already before you even consider the lyrics which are blunt and true. It's a perfect example of what we all know art can be.
Edit: Upon watching your analysis I reckon it's that sick suspended thing at 5:50, that's a "makes ya think" type chord lol.
Agreed. I am not typically a country music listener, but Oliver Anthony's songs have had me coming back for more for days.
Oh and to those who dont know, the man's name is Chris. The project is called Oliver Anthony Music, named after his grandfather.
@@rdean150 I'm not a country guy either, but the super raw ones like Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, Zach Bryan, those guys are rad. I guess if country was what it's supposed to be, then I'd like it. But like Keith Urban, Tim McGraw type shit? 🤢🤢🤮
@@djjazzyjeff1232 Are you me? Throw Sturgill Simpson in the "rad" camp, BTW. Of the "big names" the only ones I tolerate are Zach Brown, Kenny Chesney & occasionally Eric Church. Of the women of country music almost all seem to sound the same to me...
@@Deviantygr I might be. Because ZBB is probably the best country group imo, I really enjoy their stuff, and yeah there are a few Eric Church songs that are super dope.
Been catching your channel every now and then and imprisoned like your take on this. Subbed now.
Another lovely casual shirt, nice bright colour too, like sunflowers and daffodils, reminds me of Spring and Summer altogether. Sounds like a mix of country and folk music, chords are those that speak to people of all generations, and every few years, another with that arrangement comes up, familiar, comfortable, soothing, like so many other songs but satisfying all the same. You could imagine Taylor Swift in her former country music sound doing this song, Mumford & Sons, crackly folky sound, they could do it too, Joan Baez, most folk singers, still it resonates with everyone, that's why so many people like it.
Been waiting for this. Not disappointed. Good stuff Justin! Would love to see you play a resonator lol
My favorite review of this song by miles...Justin appreciated the frustration without politicizing the message...he peeked in, from afar. He didn't proclaim it a conservative anthem or call Anthony a modern day Woody Guthrie...he just appreciated what he heard...
I agree, but I must say if he was more plugged into American political discourse, he almost certainly would have picked up on the highly political undercurrent of the song. It's most definitely heavily conservative in its messaging.
@@robzs8388 That's just not right...he released a video today speaking on how pissed he was that conservative pundits have tried to adopt it...he said he found it hilarious that they used it for the republican debate because he was singing about everyone on the stage...he is adamant that he did not write it about Biden, or from the aspect of liberalism or conservatism...he wrote it for the people, all the people, essentially versus all the politicians, all of the government...it's easy to find here on YT...
yea I saw that and I'll give him credit for it. I would amend it to say that he's been influenced by decades of conservative messaging pitting the middle class against the poor. "the obese milking welfare" is just Reagan-era 'welfare queens' talk, which is absolutely a fabrication pushed to keep poor whites resentful against poorer blacks. @@johnjohn37371
It's absolutely chock full of blatant dogwhistles, Justin's massively let himself down here
Just started watching a couple of weeks ago. Finding the Content entertaining and Informative. Taylor your a Good host and cover some interesting topics
4 chords and the truth. And as predicted, the media chooses to divide people over the intent of the lyrics...
I paid for his two recent tracks because he’s the first artist that I have heard since 2010 that I actively wanted to pay for their music, and didnt want to it to all go to the streaming blob.
Mr. Oliver puts his raw soul on the line. Tons of sentiment in his singing, authentic and pure. Puts words and music to what so many working people feels every day. By the way: yess, get a resonator, Justin! It's cool and it's time it makes a serious comeback. Thanks for the video!
Justin, you are looking very well. That makes me happy. I finally was able to set uo my phone to text you. I live on Long Island New York. I am thrilled the band is thriving.I've loved the Darkness since the beginning. I am planning to attend a performance when the band is in the states again. I watch the podcast, & must listen to Permission to Land Again at least
A lot of the wind got knocked out of the overt-praise from the "wrong people" when he clarified he was talking about ALL politicians and not just the ones typical "country" music fans dislike. Thanks for an honest and objective opinion, as usual, Mr. Hawkins.
You nailed it Justin and I agree he's not where either side is claiming (wanting?) him to be!
naw, if you're an American you can clearly pick out which side he's on to be honest. It's a shame, but this is an extremely biased worldview coming from the lad. He ALMOST has something to say, but ruins it with the same shit conservative elites have been feeding their poor base for years - hate the ppl who have it worse than you.
Maybe so but the left wing media and leftists commentators are trying to down play and discredit him in whatever way they can. Just yesterday I heard a 45 year old 'punk journalist' say he is cringe. When I took a good look at the right wing commentator trying to make himself relevant to his mainly young audience, I saw David Brent. Such blatant hypocritical unawareness.
Oliver Anthony, or whatever his name is, has written a revolutionary anthem that should start the unification of the working class against the elites. It is our only hope at the minute.
This is why I love this channel. No over analyzing. Just the facts....amazing voice, simple and effective chords and this guy feeling beaten down by this insanely nuts country
Can't wait to here you play one of those.
The right tried to co opt its messaging and the left by design has to villify whatever the right rallies around.
The funny thing is this song is shining a light on both sides and neither side got that
It's hard to leave politics out of this conversation, to some everything has a political angle, thus it's hard to have an actual discussion with them. I think Oliver's story should be inspirational to us all. If this guy can come out of the woodwork and find such success then any of us can, whether you agree with his message or not. To me the message is of politicians, of both parties, screwing over the little people, the same little people they need to vote for them. I simply cannot see how anyone cannot get behind that message.
Don't forget about that Donor Class!
@@bozhno Yes, my comment was pointing at the partisan comments related to the songs bipartisan message.
Why is it so controversial? I was initially wondering that too. But then I listened again and read the lyrics. And while I relate to and agree with most of what he says, the part where he's having a go at people on welfare seems a bit misguided to say the least. In reality most people who are out of work and overweight are amidst their own struggles. And many have worked hard for most of their lives.
I used to be overweight, depressed and out of work with a chronic pain condition. Things have improved a lot for me now, still in pain but have lost weight and am moving forwards towards full-time employment. But I will never forget the misguided bigotry from people who wrongly assumed I was just lazily "milking the system" (as if being on benefits/welfare makes for a cosy existence, which is pure nonsense). And I will never blame people who are out of work.
But even if some people don't want to work, directing anger at victims and agents of the system , rather than the system and it's gate-keepers is just inadvertently feeding into the very problems he speaks out against in the rest of the song. He speaks out against the social division being pushed upon us, then appears to push and perpetuate it in the same song. Talk about mixed messages.
He's not digging all people out on social welfare, I don't know where you are but certainly I know at least 10 people off the top of my head who do indeed milk the system. My interpretation is that the people trying to better themselves keep on getting kicked into touch.
Have you ever heard Neil Young's "Welfare mothers make better lovers"? The ones that truly need help from society and their tax dollars feel not the need to defend their position but yet they too should be outraged at the grifters that game the system. One example I witnessed was a person at the YMCA one day. He had a very nice touring motorcycle. A brand new Honda Goldwing parked in a handicapped spot usually reserved for a van. Oh he had his handicapped ♿️ license plate. He played several rousing rounds of racquetball and worked up quite the lather of sweat. Tell me how someone truly handicapped can do all that yet demand He have the closest parking space to the door. Another example I witnessed was that if a special needs school bus. It took 10 minutes to get this little girl in a wheel chair out of this bus with a mechanical lift system. Her mother waited patiently as the motorized was lowered to the drive way. The little girl had a smile as big as the sun on her face and so did her mother. I could hear them from my vehicle..."How was school, baby?... it was great mommy!!!! "
As they wheeled up the drive to a very small home. Not a single vehicle in that driveway was capable of transporting her wheel chair and in fact the total value of all their cars combined were less than the cost of that motorcycle I saw that day at the YMCA. I could not help myself as I thought about how blessed I was to have two able bodied children of my own. Tears streaming down my face I pulled into that driveway and got out. I reached in pocket a tried to give them all the money I had on me....$64.00. They were thankful yet politely refused my money and asked that I just pray for them. Point being I bet dollars to Dougnuts they aren't offended at all by this song whereas the man on the motorcycle is most likely on YT somewhere offended.
Let’s not forget all the anti-semitic videos in his personal playlist
Love this song. It seems we can think what we want, appreciate what we want but can’t SAY what we want anymore.
This is the power of a man who wrote the words he sings. When I hear Sia sing her songs, then I hear covers, there is just something missing from the covers.
Musically, I call it consideration. If each note and letter of each word is considered, it is as potent as it can be - maximum potential.
Sia sings from the heart to the heart. So does Anthony.
I dont listen to sia but I'll take your word for it haha. I do think there's some covers out there that also stand out. "Hurt" by Johny Cash is a cover that's nothing if not emotional.
That's what I've enjoyed about this song the most. Rappers, soul singers, punks, and metal heads. They all want to play along.
In a time were there is a lot of overproduced pop, a simple song goes viral. The simplicity and working man message gives it broad appeal.
I love that this Anthony dude is quoting the bible especially the psalms. We are in a spiritual battle and the devil has done very well at deprogramming the population from spirit.
@@markusmaximus6636 "We're such self-centered crap, we don't even notice hell itself rising up against us." - A Wise Man
thank you for reviewing this song
Yes get one! Love the sound of a Dobro, especially with a powerful voice. I mean look how far he is from the mic. A yard back, a yard to the side.
Before I even get into watching this video this is what I know: Billy Bragg's new song response “Rich Men Earning North of a Million" says it all. The end.
do people not understand the down side of unions? god bless ups, but i mean, the teachers union has done what, exactly?
@@gnlout7403 tell us what the teachers union has done wrong then?
@@verysurvival really?
ok. teachers dont get paid crap. thats kind of a big one and generally why you have a union. you cant fire bad teachers. thats two. do you need more? Jesus
Starting in the 70s, unions were becoming big business and, like the corporate owners, were often cheating their members. That certainly continues in some way today but Gen z appears to be reverting to the union of early 20th century and keeping the big onions at arm's distance when they can. And we can't forget that any labor progress made through legislation began with unions so nonunion workers benefit as well. I get a little squeamish when Billy Bragg uses union as a the only answer but he offers an answer or hope. There's no hope in "Rich Men North of Richmond," which is why FOX loves it.
@@gnlout7403 you really don't realize what unions have done for people, and continue to do for people even with their hands tied behind their back.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Phoebe Bridgers. She's mainly indie folk and pop, but she's got some indie rock elements as well.
Could you recommend me one of her songs, I've heard a lot of people talking about her. If you wouldn't mind that is.
She did a great set on NPR (tiny desk)
@@orsy_pyrrhicI Know The End is a good introduction to Pheobe✌️
Her early stuff was good but now its just her singing like she's sad all the time.
Motion Sickness was great.
I agree with the earlier commenter that I Know The End is a good one to start with. Either that one or Kyoto, if you tend to like faster songs.
Excellent analysis, love this channel.
Thank you for reviewing this fella and his song. It seems that the rawness of both the song and message has not only touched folks who are and or feel overworked and under appreciated [working class]. Over the years, we seem to cycle through various forms of entertainment/media/what have you, that is either insincere and or comes across that way. Then something comes across that seems real to people. Within the realm of music, Mumford and Sons comes to mind from before this guy. Mumford and Sons seemed to appear on the worlds stage whilst we were all lost in synths/pop/and retroactive rock begging to survive. Then here you have these 4 lads with acoustic instruments, no big lights show, just some songs, heart, and there you go. Perhaps Dead South was more recent, but, yeah, seems cyclical. But as for here in the states, this song has taken an almost revolutionary statement. [not that Chris [Oliver Anthony] meant to make it out that way.]
YES on the resonator guitar!
"It's gone bacterial" - ROFL! Justin, I loved your commentary on this song and pretty much everything else you've discussed. Keep up the great work.
Wind of change is in the air #Justin, I hope they are shaking in their boots, because good always overcomes evil, because good is still the majority. Maybe lil green men will turn up and help us out. Love to you and all here x
Reminds me of that scene in Walk Hard when his song just gets major hype straight away while he's still recording it. Great tune and a great message! Tough job for him to follow that up!
Great tune. Great message. 🤮🤮🤮get serious.
@@thomasboyd7090You’re the only non-serious one here.
@@thomasboyd7090bet you vote tory
“Four chords and the truth”
Simply put and spot on.
That needs to be put on a T-shirt. :D
The line that stings (to me anyway) is the reference to 300 pound people buying junk food using public money. It reminds me of my conservative father in the 80s, who sometimes talked about "welfare queens driving new Cadillacs" coming to the grocery store with "a purse full of food stamps." It's a question of perceived fairness, especially when so many people are struggling to pay for groceries to feed their families. I get the frustration, though it feels like the tip of a much larger iceberg, notably the ability to earn a decent living wage.
It’s a very old conservative talking point. Those tend to be repeated throughout history and I’m sure your dads dad said something similar.
That's the problem I have with it too. I used to process food stamp applications. 99% of the people who received them were working full-time. And it's not like they were getting a lot. It was just enough to get them by. My sister was a single mother. She qualified for 16 bucks worth. This Oliver Anthony dude is punching down while talking about the working man being exploited. Those people collecting food stamps, they are the working man.
It's a Republican talking point which supports the interests of billionaires
I read all the comments in this thread and I think both sides of this can be true. Any service that helps people in need will inevitably be abused to some extent. You can criticize the people abusing it while also supporting it being used the way it was intended. I personally know someone who was abusing welfare and disability and it’s frustrating to watch, but I still support the program
I watched a 300lb woman with a gucci purse and her 4 kids get $300 worth of candy, chips and soda at the corner store and her kids destroyed the place.
Great reaction/summary Justin!!!
The media immediately started to paint it as a political song attempting to do just what this song is about, divide us.
In the current Billboard formula a song sale is worth multiples of streams and multiple of radio plays because someone paid real money for it not just a click and some distracted time listening. So it is possible for a song like this to gain such prominence even if only a small number of people buy it and the rest of us wonder what is going on. On the flip side, a company like Hybe routinely puts out many remixes of a BTS group song or BTS solo song, the stans buy all of the remixes, and they all count towards Billboard charts. Some crazy stans buy the song and remixes, delete, and rebuy to ensure #1.
Higher chart placement except with less chart length, unless you buy the same song over and over again
In 1 month a bot can play over 14,000 songs. Spotify bots are still a cheaper and easier way to game the system than actual purchases. @@NopeNothanks-zj1yw
Yeah, to try and make this song a right or left division is again playing right into the notation of them keeping us divided so they can keep their power, greed and control intact.
The fact that the American right wing approves of a ‘protest’ song tells you all you need to know about its legitimacy.
@@jerrypartington3650 Exactly! He thinks his fellow working class people who are on benefits are the real enemy, dividing up people of the same class, but somehow he's not also deliberately dividing us? Pfffftt
just found your channel and subbed, thanks to Chris.
I like how you do the intro every time. Keep on, keeping on. 😂
hi justin, im a long time viewer and big fan, and i think its important to offer context on this video. most of the people who have promoted this video online are far-right activists such as steven crowder and ben shapiro (look into them if you havent already) and the themes are the exact opposite of supporting the emancipation of the working classes - OA simultaneously blames the rich for the toils of the working classes and the working classes themselves - he attacks people 'milkin welfare' and even suggests that overweight people make americans poorer. rich men of north richmond has become the anthem of the american qanon conspiracy movement and extreme right/neo nazi politicians such as marjorie taylor greene, as it plays into the notion of the far right appealing to the working classes, even though they are actually blaming minorities and other vulnerable people, and turning the workers against each other.
“It’s gone bacterial” 😆
Thank you! Made me actually laugh out loud.
@@suzanneemerson2625 same lol 😊
When sound of freedom is banned from Netflix and Amazon. That’s why
Hey man, thanks for the review of this. You hit all right points.