Oliver Anthony: Billy Bragg rewrites Rich Men North of Richmond

Singer-songwriter and activist Billy Bragg has responded to Oliver Anthony's controversial country song Rich Men North of Richmond which made US chart history.
Mr Bragg rewrote the hit song to address "troubling" remarks about the abuse of the welfare system and to encourage him to join a union.
US latest: news.sky.com/us
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[@jimshelnutt8026]

Newsflash: He's blaming "Rich men north of Richmond"

[@allansizemore8633]

Hey Sky News, WEST VIRGINIA and VIRGINIA are two different states here in the US. Get it together.

[@neotropos]

As always Bragg completely misses the point from his ivory tower. I don't believe Anthony is directly blaming the obese. Rather he's attacking systems which 'reward' gluttony and laziness, but not diligence or hard work.

[@thelastminuteman7513]

Bingo

[@myaccount3248]

Yes I agree we’ll said

[@SydneyBristow0788]

On point. 💯

[@youreadyfreddie]

The Sky News guy is thinking of West Virginia when he's talking about Manchin (Democrat who votes Republican). Richmond is the state capital of Virginia, NOT West Virginia. Two separate states.

[@Yawnyaman]

Indeed, Anthony makes it very clear he is a Piedmont born guy, though he has a huge respect for Appalachian culture.

[@Yokoway]

Mr. Bragg's smugness, choice for ignorance and misunderstanding of the song and a country not his own actually irritated the hell out of me.

[@buckbuchanan4902]

He's just a sad man trying to gain some relevance by attacking someone who's become world famous. I'd never heard of him before and probably won't again after this.

[@evaeden5820]

Braggers is known for his misogynistic arrogant hate fuelled rants , also wholeheartedly endorses Trans 🏳️‍⚧️ Tranny he is a spent force in the U.K. just making noise here. This man has great voice & it a hard hitting song that takes guts

[@DebOaten]

Me too. This patronising attitude is so sad to see. I’m not from America either but I understand the issues and appreciate the nuances.

[@cecilmize1]

What we have is a corporate owned government. Our forefathers told us that if the government is no longer of the people, by the people and for the people that we have a right and a duty to disband that government and install a new government that is. I think the time has come. I am like him. I am not Republican or Democrat. I am an American.

[@zoltan-zq3xe]

I'm British and I agree Bragg and the elites like him in power need to go.

[@matthew6427]

Agreed. I tend to lean left but have no problem voting right if the candidate seems to be better. I'm a Midwest farmer, husband, and father. A gun owner who believes in equality and equal rights. The news loves to paint the country as us vs them but we, the ones in the middle, are always the ones who determine the outcome of elections. As soon as these pundits realized Oliver wasn't as big of an ally as they thought, they started degrading him and that's predictable but sad. F these guys for trying to mar him because he's not on their side.

[@mmabouts]

It's videos like this that KZbin had to remove the dislike button

[@campermobile3217]

There's a Firefox extension to reveal the dislike count. Currently, the likes to dislikes are 169:759.

[@timothyratajczyk8507]

I'm overweight, I eat too much. I'm not on welfare and I love the song.

[@InferiorRaven77]

I don't think people who are obese due to diet should get benefits. It's a life choice, obesity shouldn't be encouraged.

[@harlanbarnhart4656]

I could stand to loose 20 pounds and I benefit quite a lot from government spending, healthcare, roads and bridges, public education, law enforcement and criminal justice...

[@garyneilson4564]

@@InferiorRaven77 "fudge rounds" are very cheap and cause obesity. The people on welfare can't afford the best and healthiest foods because those types of items are expensive.

[@uhlan1035]

@@user-px3ik6mk2l Socialism doesn't solve anything, just system dependence. That isn't how a community should exist.

[@jamescheff3160]

Im overweight i dont feel the song attacked obese people at all. It just said that welfare money shouldnt go to buying junk food. I agree with him 100%.

[@jab376]

Jamescheff3160 Agree but everyone doesn't look at obesity in your way. Different opinions so to speak. Beauty of free speech.

[@tomazp8506]

feeding obese people with sugar is like handing out whiskey to alcoholics.

[@tia2211]

True....from an obese sugarholic!

[@thedave7760]

Seed oils and corn syrup=early death.

[@TheExtraClassic]

The food industry pumping sugar into food is creating addiction and obesity

[@jameshurley4959]

Ffs i cannot believe the world isbhaving a go at Oliver its insanity to me

[@joewalker643]

I don't think Billy is having a go at Oliver, I think Oliver is complaining through his songs about how broken the system is and some of its symptoms and Billy is offering his solution. I agree with many of the sentiments in Olivers song, people are having to work long hours for next to nothing, we do have a homelessness crisis, but echoing everyones feelings isn't the solution. Educate, Agitate and Organize is the only way the "Rich Men North of Richmond" are ever going to listen to us.

[@TravelElectro]

Last time Bragg was in the news he said something even more stpid. his man is a has been and just gets onto tv by putting others down.

[@gringoenespanol]

From an American perspective I think the lyrics about the junk food is related to the fact that unhealthy foods are actually allowed to be purchased with food stamps, and that kind of food can often lead to obesity. I don’t think he was actually criticizing the obese people, but rather how the government is literally funding the consumption of unhealthy foods.

[@heynowls3058]

Ever hear of a food desert? Many poor urban areas have no decent & healthy food choices.

[@planetyouranus22]

From a British perspective, that’s exactly how I read it. He was objecting to taxpayers money filling the coffers of junk food corporations.

[@bigt84015]

@@heynowls3058 what they just won't to sell healthy food?? "sorry sir we refuse to sell stuff from the four food groups. your buy this bag of funions"

[@oregonfordguy9812]

​@heynowls3058 the stores that take food stamps and welfare have plenty of options.

[@mischief.brewed]

I think if that is what Anthony meant then he's a pretty terrible lyricist.... he's no very good either way but "milking welfare" is difficult to misuse as a sentiment

[@barneymagee3285]

They are so used to rewriting history….

[@mattfair9783]

He’s attacking the welfare system and people who make it a lifestyle.

[@josephjohn907]

Shut up. Welfares don't last for poor people. The Rich game the system everyday

[@llee8325]

And rightfully so

[@fvr12345]

Isn’t that Red America that’s on welfare. The same folks that love this song. 😂

[@cynthiaadkins-zj9ut]

He's NOT blaming the welfare recipients themselves. He's clear about that in one of his interviews. Might have been one from his truck.

[@lordhallibel3604]

youre slow @@fvr12345

[@manofreedom]

I live in a VERY poor area of Arkansas and I see people on a daily basis who can work but WON'T. Welfare has become a way of life now for generations of Americans and those paying the tax bill are sick of it. We are now being overrun by illegal immigrants who are getting more in government hand outs than the people who payed into social security their entire lives. I'm sick and tired of watching my tax money go to waste on able bodied people wh o won't get off their collective back sides and go to work!!!! Billy Bragg hasn't got a freaking clue !!! The largest steel mill in North America is only 30 miles from me and they are BEGGING for workers but can't fill the rolls because people are "fat and happy" and will NOT work. I know several small business owners that have the same problem. The"rich men north of Richmond" stay in office by manipulating the masses into voting for them again and again by scare mongering that the Republicans will kick them out in the streets if they don't vote Democrat (ie: socialist). I've never seen this country so divided and all Russia and China have to do is set back with their pop corn and watch the US go up in flames. I think this frustration is hitting the boiling point and people in the US have had enough. This next election cycle for president is going to be very interesting. Hang on to your hats folks.

[@finallythere100]

I think Oliver Anthony has a much better idea of what he’s singing about. There is NO excuse for food stamps funding fudge rounds or other junk that makes it worse . He is not talking about a little bit of comfort eating. He doesn’t need to be corrected by this man. Unbelievable. He doesn’t need this man’s advice. How utterly arrogant!

[@T5Zplayer]

Same here in the UK but the MSM and music industry is so far left muppets like Bragg are never challenged.

[@manofreedom]

Agreed@@finallythere100

[@PatricSmyth-sm8zc]

This guy is a sanctimonious and out of touch Brit who is worth millions. Stay out of our business, I say. We royally kicked them out a couple hundred years ago. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[@lindahoran7328]

Especially when the government was doling out money to enable people to go out and work. They were making more money on unemployment that they were working. What's the essential to go back to work. Bs

[@user-iw4gz7vh4w]

Billy makes himself look really weak by doing this embarrassing crap. What’s his net worth by the way?

[@dr.badass702]

Millions. Earned through his own talent, creativity, and work ethic. Nothing wrong with that, right?

[@user-iw4gz7vh4w]

@@dr.badass702 nothing wrong at all. But at this point another rich celebrity spewing opinions is about as creative as my morning bowel movement

[@JesseCaine]

He's a typical champagne socialist. Talks about Communism whilst sitting on a pile of gold. Utter wally.

[@jimg5320]

Maybe took a bit of a narrow and literal view on the lyrics here, which is a shame and a tad surprising for an artist. I think it's a song about injustice, right and wrong, decency, and a feeling the majority of people have that society simply isn't fair and is controlled by the rich but is also exploited, not by all, but by some at every level of the economic scale. It doesn't always reward those that work the hardest or try to do what's right. That annoys people. That's why this song resonates. That's all.

[@thunderbird3694]

The root of the problem is that ignorant people such as Oliver Anthony are the ones voting for Republicans who give Rich People the Power & Control over their lives! Our government is no worse than the people who vote their representatives!

[@buckbuchanan4902]

The song was directed at a very select group of "Rich Men North of Richmond" and that is the corrupt government in Washington DC.

[@vivianpatton5692]

@jimg5320 U Understand .

[@mischief.brewed]

People acting like that song is worth digging into deeper... it wasn't very good to begin with.

[@thelawfus]

Billy Bragg wrote a response song in order to milk the success of Oliver Anthony.

[@FirstLast-qw7gh]

I love and grew up on Billy Bragg. He hasn't grown though. He's stuck in a dead ideology and has lost touch. The actual working class speaks... and Bragg feels the need to lecture and correct. Kinda sad actually. Bragg is now worth about $5 million, and he thinks he speaks for the working class. He doesn't have the eyes to see that he's now one of the rich men north of Richmond...

[@peppermintpig974]

That's an insightful and nuanced opinion. We change our points of view as we age. Sometimes though people get stuck and don't allow a healthy challenge to the premises by which they establish their beliefs. There's something about Bragg's energy that once held the hope for positive passion on issues but now comes across as envious and petty and this political divide that is being created leaves little room for humanity in the opponent. It's like Bragg refuses to see any common ground and has to coopt someone else's song for his own interests. It's coming across really poorly in my view.

[@user-uu8rg5ye9k]

North of Richmond Man that’s perfect and true

[@peterreed3104]

#itisextortionate

[@cinninnimonskoda2017]

Bragg, he literally addresses this verse in a faq video, its about the social services complete inability to distribute funds to actually adress needs

[@Mic1904]

Right, but this raises the question of 'Does a song, or a piece of art, stand on its own or does it require an external FAQ or detailed explanation that listeners have to be expected to first read and understand as a pre-requisite'. Not really how art works in reality.

[@davidshepherd8917]

@@Mic1904you realise a lot of the worlds greatest pieces of art can have a variety of interpretations

[@parpcorp]

How is he punching down if hes at the bottom? But thanks for your input, Rich English Establishment...

[@jaydnche1735]

Punching across then

[@pacificprospector]

After Billy's views during the event 3 years ago, I don't trust him nor his motives anymore. Billy wants more control over people, Anthony wants to be just left the f*** alone. I also understood that Billy wanted nurses fired if they don't get the jab and at the time Billy was "punching them down".

[@blackflagsnroses6013]

No he doesn’t, Oliver Anthony has said he wants government to do more. Also Bragg’s response is literally workers taking autonomy and organize (unionize). He’s well within the spirit of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie

[@zoltan-zq3xe]

@@blackflagsnroses6013Maoist like control of the masses, no thanks.

[@4gave1]

All Oliver did was write a true and honest song that resonated with so many people that it made history. It doesn't mean he is an "activist." It was just an honest song straight from the heart.

[@4gave1]

@@Xs2865 incorrect

[@zoltan-zq3xe]

An activist? in other words a woke narcasistic hippy who treats the working class majority like crap, we know who these people really are.

[@mikeds22]

A song which attacked the working class in a pretty disgusting way

[@coreysutphin9238]

​@@mikeds22Oliver's song did?? Where?

[@mikeds22]

@@coreysutphin9238 ‘the obese milking welfare’. It’s just a classic trope of the lazy fat welfare sponge which is always used to castigate the working class. He may not have meant to do this but he did it

[@WhitecoatTurncoat]

It hurts to hear this guy (who so loudly backed british coalminers) actually speak so flippantly of Oliver Anthony's backround (in a destroyed coalmining community)

[@peppermintpig974]

That's the insane part to me. Bragg is bending over backwards not to see common ground.

[@stewpacalypse7104]

There hasn't been coal mining in that part of Virginia for about 130 years.

[@jayare6804]

Bragg is responding to the partial disingenuous lyrics of Anthony.

[@peppermintpig974]

@@jayare6804 How specifically?

[@TobiasC-mg4zk]

Watch the interview maybe.

[@Gundog55]

Billy is accusing Oliver of fat shaming? Get real….

[@Mic1904]

In the grand scheme of things, not really, no. Just suggesting a slight shift in where he's pointing the ammo.

[@Chef_Jeff69]

He’s not blaming obese on welfare. He’s simply pointing out a cold fact. There are many, many families here in America that have been on welfare for 2 or 3 generations, with no desire to get off of it. Many are content to “milk” the government and tax payers at our expense. Kudos to Oliver for speaking what’s on the mind of millions of dissatisfied Americans.

[@T5Zplayer]

We have the same in the UK.

[@jamesortega8681]

billy said the system works lmao

[@simpletruths5322]

I’m in the uk and it’s ok to be on ‘welfare’ whilst others toil- the more I work, the more I’m taxed, the only thing at this point that working gives me is dignity, I’m no better off than those on benefits

[@peppermintpig974]

@@jamesortega8681 Billy has no clue. He's spent so much of his life and career idolizing over false virtue that he doesn't acknowledge when the consequences of his values result in failure. To blanket defend the system and say it works is ridiculous. The moment someone comes in and puts out a hit song he goes straight into attention seeking and appropriating another artist's work just so he can layer his own message on top. People are free to do what they want, but what he's doing is in bad taste considering how completely tone-deaf he is in objecting to the song's message and not seeing the hypocrisy in what he's doing.

[@InferiorRaven77]

It's worse in America than in the uk. But it's still a problem.

[@christiancolvin615]

First off he’s not hating on those people milkong welfare he’s saying my hard work shouldn’t pay for your bad decisions and laziness

[@stevendurrant1724]

A common rhetorical trap: If someone wealthy criticises the system that sees ever increasing exploitation and greed from the 1% on the backs of the 99%: Call them a hyporcite. If someone poor does so: Just say it's the politics of envy. Criticising the system is always wrong. Welcome to Chumpland.

[@timg1246]

Oliver Anthony was criticising the system.

[@michaelbailey1086]

@@timg1246 blaming the victim is not actually criticizing the system

[@brettharter143]

Victims of there own stupidity and lack of self control?

[@TheSqeela]

This song alone knocks Bragg's career output into a cocked hat. It must sting.

[@peppermintpig974]

@@user-px3ik6mk2l Rhymes with cope. Bragg's not happy that his songs don't resonate the way this one did.

[@user-zm4tg4oz9o]

Talk about completely missing the point of the song, bb talking absolute bs, funny how he passed over the lyrics about Epstein 🤣🤣

[@TonyTouch23]

So they have listened to the song, don’t like it and now want to tell us what this song is about🤨

[@brettyates7054]

Billy Bragg literally putting down and co-opting an independent song from an unknown within weeks, now that's punching up!

[@jordan9604]

Yep. This guy will surely get through the pearly gates.

[@humushumus2219]

I agree, it's so low from Billy Brag.

[@neotropos]

Exactly - despicable move from Bragg but what more can we expect from this champagne socialist doing the neoliberal establishment's bidding for them?

[@brownwarrior6867]

Sky concentrates on the section of the song that deals with welfare and benefits. We have had multiple programmes in the U.K. concentrating of Welfare and Benenfits over the years highlighting the worst aspects of it and the cost to the Tax Payer and all the while we’ve had Corporations and Wealthy Businesses people circumventing Taxation to a cost which dwarfs the cost to the Taxpayer through Benefit fraud. Same old ,same old.

[@berbuck]

benefit fraud is a drop in the ocean buddy..

[@4gave1]

Talk about punching down..Billy Bragg is doing just that, and in a very condescending way...Just go away.

[@buckbuchanan4902]

Actually punching up, because Chris has already had more success with his very first release, than Billy did in his entire career! He's just a sad, jealous man.

[@martinmarshall9442]

Billy showing his true colours. Benifits nowadays are becoming a way of life. He picked out one line to criticise instead of actually agreeing with normal working class folks. The socialist slips so easily

[@Hoosier81]

He’s talking about people that take advantage of welfare. There are thousands of people that don’t even try to find employment, they are happy making babies and living on government handouts.

[@GetbaqS8n7952]

Oliver is not necessarily talking about the same people that Billy is talking about. I know the people that are filling up shopping carts with snacks and watch us go to work everyday while they live off our tax dollars. Great job Oliver!

[@RokuErickson]

Lmao. Awwwwww

[@peterreed3104]

While they a Taking their Fix of Junkfood They Maybe Arnt Taking a Fix of Meth then going to work DUI

[@michaelthomas3872]

Corporate Welfare is a way way WAY bigger problem for taxpayers than people on food stamps.

[@Fierbepere]

I'm a retired medical doctor. I commend Oliver Anthony for exposing the absurdity of social policies resulting in starving homeless and obese welfare recipients. Obesity increases the risk for many serious medical conditions, and the cost to society is enormous. Moreover, obesity shortens the life span!!!! Do we want to use gentle lyrics and let these people die sooner than the rest of us?! It's the first time when somebody brings this issue to the attention of the public on such an immense scale. This was long overdue. Mr. Bragg needs to do some reading on the medical aspects of obesity.

[@HOL]

the guy is a depressed mentally ill factory worker writing a song of frustration. The man is not ready to start unions. He's still coping.

[@mikedeletes8184]

This the bloke who gets wheeled out every glasto to perform to an echo chamber?

[@neotropos]

"£300 a ticket, security-fenced Glasto"

[@alex29443]

Says a lot that they got the copycat on instead of the original.

[@Yawnyaman]

Yeah, really weird and very cowardly.

[@markburrows8028]

Government Spending is 750 Billion Pounds, 2.2 Billion Pounds is spent on Unemployment Payments, so WTF.

[@tonyharper8056]

It is so sad this Englishman's education and life experience has failed him so badly in interpreting this song. Anthony was not attacking overweight people. He was attacking the government for giving away taxpayer money without any controls to ensure it would be used for a healthy diet. These people are overweight because they need help controlling the way they eat, and they are not getting it. Hence, they are putting themselves in an early grave. If government really cared, they would tackle the whole problem not just dish out other people's money so they can feel good about themselves.

[@christinac127]

I'd feel a bit more comfortable that this was the case if the song did not specify 'your' in the relevant section... a lot of the song is really good, i can see where the unease comes from in that it can be interpreted in an unfortunate way too

[@mrkleinhond]

But hey guess it was his way to get noticed and promote himself on the back of Olivers hit and the hype it created

[@hairymcbogan5188]

Billy Bragg not on a black list, but I probably am. Still waiting for the great leap forwards

[@TravelElectro]

been moving the goalposts, hasn't figured out yet that its the liberals that are oppressing the conservatives. He just keeps waffling like its the 80ies. it's not the 80ies anymore.

[@zoltan-zq3xe]

The great Reset time to be more oppressed and be grateful for it Maoist style...no thanks.

[@lingesuccubus]

The appearance of this kind of video is the tragedy of this world, the upper class is trying hard to discredit an ordinary person who speaks the truth,it's a damn shame

[@llee8325]

Bravo, sir! This guy is just a leftist, sanctimoniously try to discredit Oliver Anthony.

[@mikegggg222]

Braggs is clueless

[@stephenmccartney8089]

This fellow makes us all glad there is a n Atlantic Ocean between the two countries. He misses the value country folk place on self reliance and pride in their independence. He seems unsure of what he thinks he knows about rural America. The song was about the elite and arrogance of D.C. , the vipers running it and their opinion that the average American is not smart enough to manage their own affairs

[@dustinwat]

I mean if the Government really cared about the health and well-being of people then people on welfare would only be allowed healthy foods and not some garbage junk food.

[@mrcatfishjohnson]

Look into geographical determinism for context. Everyone has unique experiences; don't impose your beliefs on him.

[@alexdewar6584]

Comradely advice? From one champagne socialist to a guy in a trailer pouring out his soul.

[@Nativegirlslots]

This man is trying to capitalize off Oliver Antony’s great song!

[@petercott1]

How dare Billy Bragg try and cancel Oliver Anthony's lyrics and replace them with his own right on leftie bullshit. The sheer arrogance is breathtaking.

[@hav9561]

Well said it's completely ridiculous, pretentious lefties never cease to amaze me Obsessing over this line about welfare that just points out a hypocrisy and making it about their hurt feelings when he's talking about pedophilic rich people in the line before... Not to mention the suicide part which they would usually care so much about, granted it's their own people of course.

[@jameskalder8416]

Billy Bragg likes music about working long hours for rotten pay, it’s his kind of music he says haw haw haw. They never give up those Champagne Socialists, Billy really is a cork popper but a socialist never.

[@spivvo]

Billy Bragg never mentions his early years working in tbe postroom of MANUFACTURERS HANOVER the MERCHANT BANK in Pnrinces Street in the City of London during the 1980s. Some choice stories surrounding his boozed up behaviour in the elevator at the Christmas party. I thought he was a knob when he came on stage at Hatfield Polytechnic (Balls Park) and arrogantly introcuced himsself as “The New Bob Dylan”.

[@flwrfan1752]

@@spivvoX-Well Mr. Anthony is a former addict he says so himself.

[@jb9433]

Bragg is a cringeworthy and desperate ideologue. He shares his patronising ignorance freely. Anthony's song has immediately resonated with millions because it's raw TRUTH. Something Bragg will never achieve.

[@leopard36cat]

Since when is the word song offensive this guy doing the interview is mental!.

[@rockefellerrepublican3336]

Billy is a millionaire why doesn’t he give that away if he was so principled.

[@-Nobody-1]

Billy braggs music was never great because he music is posessed by ideology its not from the heart, it what billy thinks is the correct thing to say in accordance with his political beliefs.

[@whome806]

Im cool with whatever gets us back to not being so soft let him throw punches up and down idc

[@SydneyBristow0788]

Living in a new world.... with an old soul.... 🎵 🎶

[@jamesescobar8577]

Sounds like y'all are nit picking this song.

[@robgrt]

Billy just doesn't get it. In the USA and other countries. There are people that abuse the welfare system. That is a simple fact. What Billy said was also correct. But, to denigrate Oliver. Shows a lack of understanding. Now, is this purposeful because he pushes his own agenda? Or is it a simple mistake on his part? One thing though is. There are thousands of song writers are very jealous of him. I think Billy is one of them. So he is punching down on Oliver who is a beginner in the songwriting arena. The jealousy is out there and it is real.

[@WithoutRemorse12]

America has poverty only found in developing countries. No other country in the West has it. Welfare Reform in the 90s created more generational poverty.

[@KrisHughes]

As a poor person living in the US, I would love to know how to "abuse the welfare system" because, last I checked, the US barely even has a "welfare system". The social safety net in the UK is in bad shape, but the US is far behind even that. Both countries have a growing number of working poor and "retired" people living in their cars!

[@robgrt]

@@KrisHughes Come to Beverly Hills and Malibu, Glendale or LA in general where we have people driving Porsches, Mercedes Benzes collecting welfare and living in anything from Apartments to mansions to Beach Houses. In California we have a scam that is run where people get the IDs from unsuspecting elderly and collect caregiver money directly from the government. Some of these people can collect as much as $20K per month. Yes, we both of working poor and people living in their cars or tents. In the US politicians have discovered how to make money and get votes by using the homeless. By starting social work companies that do very little social work but collect a lot of money from the government in no strings attached grants and unsuspecting people. These SW Companies may provide shoes or even a show. But, none of them do any of the work that is required to get these people off welfare and get time reintegrated into society and working again. Yes, some people cant do that. But the vast majority can. These SW companies just don't go after the root causes. Because. then they would be out of business.

[@bbaaspencer1]

I know people that claim they can’t work and get free checks and go to the beach! 🎉

[@robgrt]

@@bbaaspencer1 Dude, that sounds suspiciously like my sister's surfer ex-boyfriend in San Clemente, CA.

[@consciously73]

Oliver isn't a communist, Billy

[@zoltan-zq3xe]

Mussolini and Hitler were communists originally...fact.

[@marks5226]

Champagne socialist that’s Billy

[@mbsfield]

Now what exactly does Billy Bragg know about the American landscape and life? I'll wait...

[@diyi75]

Dude needs to sit down. We fully understand what he meant.

[@Numkinwig]

Why no debate on sky news over WAP and analysing those lyrics?

[@rlb4592]

This guy triggered by Jason Aldeen ? Please explain to me why?

[@kesterlebas2445]

Billy Bragg is a champagne socialist and the fact that he felt the need to write a song instead of reaching out to him shows that he’s just trying to gain some relevancy from someone else’s popularity. He’s the one who’s punching down by criticising him and implying that he’s too stupid to realise the meaning of his own words.

[@TravelElectro]

so true. he has nothing to say. nothing. trying to be more woke than woke. why is he even interviewed.

[@TheGenreman]

I had to laugh when Billy said about socialism being the dirty word.

[@lhs66]

Copyright infringements

[@damianjackson3088]

Lost so much respect.

[@JacktheHammock]

Who threw Billy Bragg a biscuit?

[@YA-qj8fx]

Being unhappy with welfare cheats is an issue only for people on the right?

[@Crystal-bp6gv]

Dude completely missed the point. Went right over his head.

[@nicolacooper9067]

This makes me quite sad; what happened to Billy? Since when did he start policing other protest singers?

[@dannygraves4997]

Newsflash : Billy Bragg's still just a Marxist at heart, and dictatorial behavior is inherent to that condition.

[@Versul1]

Billy Bragg trying to get some attention from a struggling worker's song. Sounds like another rich man.

[@bobbyreed3043]

He is talking about people taking advantage of welfare payments that the blue-collar workers' taxes pay for. There will always be people who look for the bad, even in a great song.

[@Georg3Nada]

Bro researched fudge rounds 🤣

[@clarkblount7788]

I suspect he's researched the topic previously.

[@jeremiemordor7821]

Ah goddamnit, I used to like Bragg.

[@woody1380]

Billy Bragg hasn't been relevant for decades and the song doesn't need rewriting

[@RhyfelwrOlaf]

Jealousy is a sin..

[@stevendurrant1724]

Who said anything about Jealousy? It's about injustice and exploitation, often based on the sins of greed, pride and gluttony. It's also about blaming those worse off than us for our troubles, which is based on the not-sin of raw stupidity.

[@RhyfelwrOlaf]

​@stevendurrant1724 obviously the left like this clown 🤡 lol😂

[@harrisonschwartz565]

Go get them Mr. Inquisitor! Judgment is also a sin! Ha at any rate, I do agree Bragg is a jealous champagne socialist system-supporter and I do judge him too lol.

[@michaelestrada8262]

I’m obese and on welfare. I don’t think that was an attack. I see it as him calling out the welfare trap.

[@KrayloAdaraan]

[Dislike] this video? Add a thumbs up here.

[@brianevelichmessageamugser7720]

Billy has a outsiders view of American welfare filtered through his own observation versus an intrinsically American first hand experience with our welfare system, and so he is off base a bit. A system food supplementing payment for folks in need of nutrition funded from the taxes of those only slightly better off should be specifically limited to healthy, wholesome and nutritious food products, not junk food that magnifies inability to become self sustaining and ultimately contribute to even worse health. Billy’s justification to opposing those lyrically is a red herring. Liberalism in social programming NEVER raises someone out of poverty, it criteria for qualifying is designed to place folks in a receivers form of bondage that ensnares the receiver into greater dependence on the social program, and a majority manipulate their situation to retain benefits instead of pursuing rising out of that need. It also ingratiates the receiver to become an unwavering voter for those politicians that have baited the social program trap, because it’s their primary survival tool now.

[@alexdejesus62]

No, he’s not blaming the obese or poor

[@johncoffman1841]

Pollyanna here. Could the lyrics about being obese in that song actually be about Donald 'Chicken-wings' Trump?

[@andywing2030]

There always has to be a woke response.

[@hav9561]

erm ackshually my feelings are hurt

[@zoltan-zq3xe]

A woke not working class response.

[@stonephilips9361]

The entire US of A is overweight, there’s a fast food joint on every corner..I was at 24hr Fitness the other day, being overweight is the new normal. ☮️

[@davidp2964]

What a smug ...... This guy is everything I want nothing to do with anymore! Oliver wrote a great song & this guy's opinion means nothing.

[@mirednomad]

Who the hell is Billy Brag ?

[@angelahoward3642]

Billy go away Stop it your just jealous of him

[@mickytruelove]

who is billy bragg?

[@buckbuchanan4902]

That was my question too. Never heard of him, but apparently he was some activist that sang songs and supports communism from what I can gather from the comments.

[@nancyjackson3909]

Ask billy what a woman is

[@pamplachte5089]

He is saying they are the ones on welfare, saying they are not the problem. Not even sure why I felt the need to respond. Tired of the political divide.

[@user-eb3si]

Love Oliver Anthony’s song. He doesn’t need any help from Billy Bragg. Bragg completely misses the point i.e the ongoing oppression of the working class and focus’s on identity politics i.e obesity. 😐

[@buckbuchanan4902]

This Billy Bragg, whoever he is, is WAY off base on both Chris (Oliver Anthony Music) and Jason Aldean. In Rich Men North of Richmond, he is referring to the government in Washington DC which is so out of touch with the reality of most of America, in fact they are destroying everything good in the US. And this clown focuses on one line, takes it completely out of context and uses to say Chris is "punching down"??? Please! He's talking about people who are abusing the system, who have become fat because of laziness and bad eating habits. Billy seems to not realize that Chris, within a few weeks of releasing his first song, is already worth millions and has reached the number one spot on the charts, which is something no other music artist in history has done with their very first release! Millions of people from all over the world are identifying with his music and lyrics and I think Billy Bragg is just trying to get some attention by speaking out against Chris. And to say that Jason Aldean's song, Try That in a Small Town is divisive tells me that Billy either hasn't listened to the lyrics, or doesn't understand them! The song is about people of all colour, background, etc, UNITING to stand against the violence, looting, and murder that is running wild in big cities and not allowing that to happen in small towns! Jason Aldean and Chris (Oliver Anthony Music) are superstars with huge hits that have become popular with millions around the world, while Billy Bragg is some activist that apparently sings, but I've never heard of.

[@hamilcarofcarthage4178]

The song is about people like Billy Bragg who has systematically attacked working class people. He claims to be on our side yet he has consistently supported political movements which keep people poor and needy. This is not a political song and over privileged political hacks like Billy Bragg should stay out of it his input is of zero value.

[@frtr9276]

he sang about the obese because the food is crap and people find solace in eating , just like any addiction , he himself is a bit overweigt, i dont know why u attack this great man , u just want to stand in his spotlight by attacking him ?

[@markaldridge389]

Oh no, Billy Bragg found it troubling, ban it

[@bonfireballads]

Billy (a Londoner) seemingly knows more about the US than most Americans.

[@thomasfinlay5793]

he's a better songwriter than any fuckin yank marra

[@TobiasC-mg4zk]

How is that surprising?

[@bonfireballads]

@@TobiasC-mg4zk i didnt say it was surprising.