The “Rich Men North of Richmond” Phenomenon

Today's video is all about Oliver Anthony’s surprise viral smash “Rich Men North of Richmond” which is blowing up out of the Appalachian world.
Watch the video from ​⁠‪@radiowv‬:
• Oliver Anthony - Rich ...
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[@everlygirl7687]

This song really hits different, the every day blue collar man feels this deeply. Left, Right, or Center, it doesn't matter. We are all fed up.

[@stevenswall]

The left hasn't had nearly enough. The love the checks, the masks, and would love covid era controls on everything, all the time, to keep everyone safe.

[@PatrickTrent]

It’s definitely a right wing song.

[@theodriscoll6873]

@@PatrickTrent get your hands dirty son

[@PatrickTrent]

@@theodriscoll6873 what does that have to do with anything, son?

[@delmedico6804]

@@PatrickTrenthow is it right wing? I don’t identify as right wing but I identify with this song.

[@ThomasLiljeruhm]

I believe that it's about time for an update on Oliver Anthony after he topped the Billboard HOT 100 and also came out against Republican politicians and others trying to use him.

[@tattoofthesun]

I was SO HAPPY to see that video he made!!!! He’s the MAN. What a genuine guy

[@peternystrom921]

Lol untill he plays for them, its part of that game. He is clearly part of that setup:

[@whatsup7535]

He's criticized both sides of the aisle, however.

[@michaelkraus7372]

Imagine a man that put something original out and was offered millions and he turned it down but many people noticed it and decided to capitalize off his fame. He just sang his heart out to speak to America's heart. God bless this man.

[@LLS710]

This man is giving us a song, now a catalogue, that will create waves and create more artist of a similar heart and fortitude. I guarantee people 100 years from now will know of this song.

[@Coltron_Actual]

An actual country artist singing a genuine protest song. I’m sure Grady’s subreddit will absolutely despise it

[@JacksonDreyer]

Well one listen to that yikes of a second verse, it’s not hard to understand why

[@jimbo_bomberino8606]

@@JacksonDreyerwhats wrong with it?

[@OEFvet0311]

​@@JacksonDreyerI, for one, love it.

[@doctor.dickface]

@@JacksonDreyer Yikes my guy. Touch grass.

[@Zacon2mlg]

@@JacksonDreyer "yikes of a second verse" i can tell you never worked a real hard day in your life

[@based6914]

Just had a thought here. Would love to see Grady interview this guy. Let him say his piece and get him in front of the camera. He seems like a genuinely nice and intelligent individual.

[@jrdavis7988]

I feel like he would actually talk to Grady unlike a lot of the other bigger media outlets he's been turning down this week.

[@chewwa1700]

I think it’s a bit unfortunate that people are saying this is a “right wing anthem”.. its nothing like that.

[@dylanlowers5236]

I actually feel a bit bad for Ollie here. I listened to his other stuff (I’ve got to get sober is his best imo) and it’s not political. He is not an industry plant. He is just a working class guy who like everyone else is pissed at everything going on. Songs aren’t meant to be essays on policy, they’re a vehicle for feelings. This guy is pissed so he sang what he felt. Like Grady said, later on you cool down and think logically. But he is being labeled as ‘right wing’ when the dude very clearly is going after bipartisan issues

[@chewwa1700]

Fucking Amen

[@tyham4882]

I just think that it has a beautiful beat, the storyline is there and it reaches out, and the vocals is haunting; all in all it's a truly great song. You could tell it's Indy and not being spouted out by these big labels. That's why I'm listening to more more Indy music, so thank you Grady for that.

[@KinzieRedd]

Oliver Anthony actually lives across the street from my grandparents and my parents went to his garage sale 😂

[@johncena-pt7eu]

Is he really how he seems? An honest blue collar man?

[@ImPistolKnight]

@@johncena-pt7eu rich people don’t have garage sales. So I’d say so.

[@johncena-pt7eu]

@@ImPistolKnight you are correct lol

[@johnhughes8092]

This song is beautiful and I'm so glad Oliver Anthony is getting his flowers, he wrote one of the most real and relatable songs I've ever heard and it's awesome that it's resonated so much with the public. Can't wait to see where his career goes from here!

[@Drpepper99]

Grady, my respect for you has skyrocketed seeing you cover this. Very well done, as well. Love it.

[@danielcunningham7169]

Grady, I respect you a lot, but that analysis at 3:02 is a stretch and a half. He's criticizing the fact that welfare goes to people who he thinks don't deserve it (i.e. fat people). He's toeing what has been the party line on welfare since the Reagan administration started talking about welfare queens.

[@rafaelvazquez7465]

Your analysis is as much of a stretch as his. That’s art.. it is what you make it.

[@ComedyBros5]

Most folks who I know who are on welfare are incredibly overweight because they refused to get up off their asses and get a job. There’s nothing wrong with what Anthony said.

[@purplew93]

yup... love his voice and sound, but he certainly did not write an anthem of working class solidarity.

[@user-if4ke6en9r]

Bro, it’s not just that they’re fat. It’s the fact that they will sell their food stamps at half price of their worth so that they can use the real cash on drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, anything that EBT doesn’t qualify for. And no, that’s not every person on welfare. Not by a long shot. But you can’t deny, the government acts as the baby daddy and rewards shitty behavior and destruction of the nuclear family by saying “it’ll all be okay, I’ll provide for you so you can keep making irresponsible choices and choosing irresponsible partners”. Anyone who doesn’t get that, is lost.

[@BishopWalters12]

What is the problem? Welfare is very abused.

[@johndeer7712]

I don't care if you are right or left. This song isn't polarizing in the sense of what political line you align with more. Everyone in America should agree that our government as a whole is broken. Our priorities as a country are out of whack. This is a well written song, sang even better. I look forward to seeing this rise as he is a true talent. I am sure he has a lot more to say and I am glad he is getting a platform to express it!

[@vuton7670]

the Right isn't the one forcing you to use someone's pronouns. The Right aren't the one pro-killing babies don't be a fence sitter.

[@PatrickTrent]

It’s definitely a right wing song

[@tylerneal2409]

​@@PatrickTrentno it isn't, it's clearly pointing out issues with the crooked politicians and messed up economy. That has nothing to do with right or left

[@TheJohnDoe64]

@@PatrickTrent Regardless of what it is, you seem to be taking a defensive stance against it. Do you disagree with the sentiment he’s trying to express?

[@snakedoctor5397]

@@TheJohnDoe64 it sounds like he is.

[@jimromemustdie]

I have grown to really enjoy this genre in the last 2 years. Love this series. He killed the song, his vocals were awesome.

[@Spitfirethedragon]

The song debut at number 45 on the mainstream country radio charts. That is without any record label pushing it. The radio stations are picking it up, especially the Independent stations. Many of the independent radio stations have been playing more of the Independent artists than corporate stations.

[@joe56794]

I've been waiting for this one!

[@clarencerswann1360]

Fair analysis, Grady. While I wasn't doing backflips over the song, I do think it is a wonderful song with a powerful message played subtly in a few lines of clever lyrics with a strong voice. I was more excited to hear of s good new artist who is DIY, but then it blew up and all my buds are sharing the video with me. By Sunday it was everywhere, which was shocking to me.

[@bburnsga]

Doesn't shock me. At least not in my area of NW Georgia. Many around here are fed up with the corrupt govt bureaucrats & satanic global elites, wanting to control everything we do, see or say.

[@shoeyxc]

I remember when the first Hangover movie came out. I didn’t see it for a really long time, and by the time I watched it I was a little underwhelmed because all I heard was how I great it was. That’s how this song was for me. Took me too long to get around to giving it a listen, and while I didn’t hate it, I just didn’t think it lived up to all the hype. Having said that, I’m glad people are hearing something they connect with on such a deep level.

[@lattelover5471]

3:05 "attacking the system of welfare" -- welfare recipients have been attacked my whole life and I'm currently older than dirt. (It used to be the so-called "welfare queens" that drew the most criticism.) I'm sure there are abuses; all systems have weak points where abuse can occur. I'm also sure there are people who have little or no choice, for whom welfare is a life-line. I am sad that Mr. Oliver chose to include that lyric because I think it diverts attention from the rest of the song, where he is speaking truth to power.

[@jenniferrinaldi8808]

I think it is fair to say that he is attacking the corruption of welfare, not those who genuinely need it.

[@beauxbeaux7]

I take it more as a shot at the system keeping people stuck instead of helping them help themselves tbh

[@L0VTX_H8CA]

@@beauxbeaux7same. The point at which the system cuts you off of welfare is right where you start doing better financially, but not where you can still afford to pay for your family’s food on your own, often causing people do decline that promotion or refuse the pay raise or stay working in a job like McDonalds for 30 years so they can stay on food stamps because crossing that line from “needing welfare” to “doing it on my own” is very difficult especially when the system cuts you off in the “I’m starting to slowly progress” phase. The system keeps poor folks on it, and in turn keeps people voting for the politicians looking to either maintain the current system or expand it to more people. Most politicians looking to “cut welfare” don’t help either, because they like to lower the cutoff point even further, which is the exact opposite of what they should do if they’d like to get people off of it.

[@jbs2763]

Social media is helping lots of independent artists make it without the label… love it

[@charlesdoca7145]

Totally agreed

[@livinthedream777]

Classic Grady eloquence at 4:12: "...He...writes like a novelist...rich men north of Richmond has assonance and consonance...it works...miners and minors, playing on that homophone to make a very provocative point...it works..." Enjoyed listening to your perspective, as usual.

[@wokekoala3888]

i've never clicked on or looked for a country song except for one suggestion several years ago. to have this show up on my youtube feed for 3 days straight until i finally caved and listened to it says something about how many it's reaching. and i absolutely loved it btw.

[@UmpORama]

Best advice I've ever heard? met Erv Woolsey once and he told me "Money doesnt matter, ya can't beat a good song"

[@edrain3262]

RUSTED BED by songwriter Dennis Callahan

[@MusicOrLoseItTV]

Biggest overnight sensation since Susan Boyle. Amazing.

[@bswi12]

He writes a song about the “Rich Men North of Richmond” ripping everyone off but then goes on and on in it about how, no, it's actually the poor people making it harder on poor people... Wut?

[@palmerdawsoncountry4200]

Just discovered your channel, brother - great insights on this great song! Thanks for giving us your thoughts on Country Music. 👍👍

[@ethaneiland6450]

He’s gonna be a legend

[@acardiac5983]

This is modern blues, pure and raw emotion.

[@robertmoore2049]

This song and artist reminds me of the song “Pills and Poverty” by Tim Goodin about how the mining jobs left the Appalachia region (especially West Virginia) and the drugs and crime came and took over. Another powerful message in song…

[@MatthewLindley]

I appreciate the song for being a traditional song for the working man and the disenfranchised, becuase that's what the best country music has alwasy been. But the tropes and almost conspiracy theories he puts forth with the "Minors", Welfare Abuse and Fudge Rounds lines are the same things spouted forth by those same "Rich Men North of Richmond". I feel like he contradicts his earlier points.

[@DerickZ28]

Here we are a few months later and it's at 92 million views!

[@kellyside3025]

This is a great song. Kudos to Oliver Anthony. There was a time when social "awareness" songs were the thing (e.g. Buffalo Springfield's For What It's Worth) but that went away. There seems to be somewhat of a renaissance of such songs. An indy songwriter that I follow, Alan Grattan, has a couple that seem to fit this bill - "Changin' Times" and "There's A New Teneant". Well worth a listen IMHO.

[@catebligh]

In my opinion, the awareness songs you mention went away because, in general, everyday life wasn’t really that bad for most of us (even if everyone was telling you it was.) It reached a critical mass during the Vietnam War and its reaching a critical mass now in a different way. I think we will see more and more great art like this surface and get extremely popular.

[@Jolipolie]

I think it’s cool that an indie country artist is blowing up, but I’m afraid that it is blowing up BECAUSE of the right leaning message. You see a lot of people lean into that right wing messaging because it makes money, would rather see him write more about rural Appalachia

[@smoov22_sonic]

2:10 OH…see I had been seeing lyric videos interpreting BOTH parts of that line as “minors” and thought he meant something very different in terms of ‘looking out for minors’, appreciate the clear up

[@DemonPride72]

Grady, long long time watcher here. I'm begging you. Sit this one out. I understand you just want everyone to get along and find common ground. That's why you believe both sides have more in common than they realize. But the wrong kind of people are excited about this song for the wrong reasons. This is not on Oliver. But he will likely be propped up for the wrong reasons. By people who actively advocate for harm towards Americans. Matt Walsh being the biggest villain so far.

[@ThomasLiljeruhm]

Along with Dan Bongino and Joe Rogan.

[@projectc.j.j3310]

He makes videos about country music why wouldn’t he make a video about a big thing in country music. He is not responsible for what other people think of it. It’s a very relatable song to most working and middle class people. You political mfers are annoying

[@cam_rock]

Grady, long time watcher here and I'm begging you, dont listen to anyone who tells you to be quiet. Also anyone who thinks Matt Walsh is a villain. You put 2 and 2 together there.

[@garywheeler9465]

@@cam_rock Correct. 'Sit this one out because it will encourage this or that wrong-think' sounds like rich men north of Richmond who just wanna have total control.

[@countryman032]

Ironic take from a guy who sounds like he sits nothing out. Touch some grass.

[@alexweber9899]

This is not a victory for independent musicians. He was intentionally promoted and his song and video produced by an affluent right-wing music promoter. Not buying it

[@andyweber9829]

first time listener! great commentary - a new fan of your channel. think you nailed what Oliver Anthony can expect from the culture warriors...so let's keep him at the top..

[@austinhillard654]

Let it be a bridge not a wall. Very well said, I wish more people had that sentiment.

[@CyrusWaugh]

Yes there’s right wing sentiments you can point at but also left wing. I firmly believe the song resonated as much as it did because it isn’t calling out one side or ideology. And just the corrupt system and the fear and uncertainty of this nation. In the end we’re just human. And this song brings out those universal emotions and truths in us

[@lilypsy8564]

This song is an astroturfed plant. He joined Twitter in August 2023 and had as many followers as Tyler Childers? Come on, Grady. If you had done even a little bit of research into this song's creation and this dude, you'd know that it was a plant explicitly designed and marketed by a conservative ad agency to get a reaction from as many people as possible. I usually love your thoughts on music, but you could have done your due diligence on this.

[@clocktower74]

I appreciate a lot of what you have said here. Here's my beef with the idea that this is a "Pressure Valve" release for a class of people who feel they have been left out by wealthy bureaucrats who don't give a damn about them and that this isn't about right or left but about the top-down: The voting data over the past 40+ years is clear-- The people on both sides, but MOSTLY on one particular side, who hate wealthy bureaucrats who don't give a damn about them, continue to vote, year after year, in local, state, and federal elections, for wealthy bureaucrats who don't give a damn about them. What is clear to me is that the "wealthy bureaucrat who doesn't give a damn about the common man" is actually a proxy for the overweight people buying fudge rounds with food stamps. People who, by the way, have more in common with the angry "common man" than the angry "common man" wants to believe. I know he's singing about both, and people who love the song are supporting the sentiment of anger against both, but I know with a good degree of certainty who those people will be voting for in the next election, and it may not be a wealthy bureaucrat who doesn't give a damn about them, but it will certainly be a wealthy conman who doesn't give a damn about them.

[@TheEclecticBeard]

Theyre all wealthy conmen. You vote for either side and you're getting played. Ive never had a politician help my bottom line with policies they enact

[@Linkedblade]

You have to be wealthy to be a politician.

[@asdknjakljye]

keep voting for politicians who want to inject kids with hormones

[@user-if4ke6en9r]

@@TheEclecticBeardexcept that the wealthy bureaucrats “on the right” are simply leftists in disguise.

[@user-if4ke6en9r]

@@MagnificentDevilactually it does, there is one side consistently attempting to undermine the power that this country has, as a precession of a global communist takeover. It has come this time calling itself democratic socialism. There is only one side voting in people who refuse to prosecute lifelong criminals, allowing them to rule the streets and make citizens cower in fear. That’s why there has been a mass exodus from the major cities, and unfortunately, the majority of the folks leaving for these reasons are too brain dead indoctrinated to believe that their “feel good” policies could’ve ever caused the havoc that they did. So they keep voting for them.

[@danag3757]

As a Swiftie, I was so embarrassed by the meltdown and classiest BS the Taylor Swift subreddit was having about how he is blocking Cruel Summer from going number one 🙄 Great take as always, Grady!

[@GradySmith]

Lol I was unaware that this is blocking Cruel Summer. That's such a Swiftian issue, and I say that as a fan. 😂

[@bbtdgfan890]

The singer is an anti-semite and in the lyrics he uses multiple racist dogwhistles. Complaining about people "north of Richmond" is a pretty obvious pro-Confederacy reference. Also, he's an industry plant. Like, he's being promoted by people who've worked for extreme right-wing media companies. He's literally used as an example of a dude on fucking LinkedIn's work in building viral success, like he's literally on some stuffy guy's portfolio. Given that Taylor Swift is the exact opposite of an industry plant, and does NOT stuff her music with a bunch of racist shit, like, not even as a Swiftie, just as a decent person who loves music and opposes racism, yeah, I'm kinda pissed. This dude isn't organic, he's just a racist with financial backers.

[@samanthasingh6896]

As a Swiftie as well, ughh, it’s insufferable. 🙄 I just really need to get off all these online subreddits. They are all so narrow minded and high and mighty. Oliver’s song is amazing with pure emotion that deserves #1

[@shanemacas-senn6347]

I'm not sure who would defend the DC crowd other than the elites. I heard about this song from leftists who loved it. Conservatives love it. It really speaks to people.

[@clockworkundies]

industry plug

[@SavannahKay]

I always love hearing your perspective! Thank you for this great video, Grady! 😊

[@AstuteActual]

It's been said that John Rich has offered his studio to Oliver to produce an actual album!

[@MACMAMI]

Rich is a horrible choice to produce his debut. He needs to go with someone like Dave Cobb.

[@calebc.7818]

Oliver Anthony's song has lyrics with content, which is what country fans crave to hear. It combines the power of protest lyrics with a sound that resonates with a wide range of people. The song's not perfect, but his beard fits the atmosphere of the song.

[@Tenebyss]

Lyrics with content!? It’s the most bargain basement, white men left behind schlock that we’ve heard hundreds of times. Go listen to Jason Isbell or Steve Earle

[@lennoncoley1431]

I think the song is well-intentioned and lyrically is creative and powerful. I do think he SLIGHTLY missed the mark on who the actual enemy is. It isn’t the people on welfare, and honestly, it isn’t even the politicians (for the most part). It’s the rich people that buy the control of the politicians and the system that allows that to happen. But it is amazing that something can become this big this fast.

[@thehildabeast100]

He’s a rich asshole of course he blames poor people for everything

[@k999ford]

idk bro that is a little optimistic, I have some experience in elite circles and the bussinesspeople and the politicians are all in the same circle

[@tye8876]

He is not attacking people on welfare. He is saying the government can't even distribute welfare fairly.

[@lennoncoley1431]

@@k999ford right but why are they in the same circle would be my question

[@lennoncoley1431]

@@tye8876 perhaps that’s what he meant. But it didn’t quite land on me like that.

[@dcinsc7]

Oliver looks suspiciously like Grady after “a series of episodes”!

[@toxicwolf997gaming2]

It’s the new Take This Job and Shove it

[@raylinmae297]

Hmmmmm. I think Oliver almost gets it. But, when I see people trying to analyze lyrics for an artist I automatically assume that's poor writing. I honestly don't think you can interrupt the Fudge round line any other way. It was honestly, a poorly written line that actually highlights the issue that politicians are achieving which is "Direct your attention away from us and blame another set of people." You can interpret it any way you want but pointing out the weight and height of an individual for the 'shock' factor makes little since. I do think this is far better than Aldeans song which is very obviously rich with violent undertones and some false painting of a small town. Oliver is very much what you call a Libertarian. The issue. with that Libertarians live in a bubble of anti-government rhetoric that doesn't actually care about the little man as much as it reflects a very self-centered "I got mine go get your own" motto. So at times, it can be pretty disingenuous to go belly-aching about getting the short end of the stick when in reality as long as you're getting what you think you deserve then you're fine to see the less fortunate suffer. I don't see this as a protest song, a protest song isn't attacking the American public who also become victim to the Washington Elite. This is simply a song about another group of people who've been wronged by the elite but have also been convinced that it's someone else's fault too.

[@Sycady]

Raylinmae's out here spitting facts

[@raylinmae297]

I now want to add that it's been revealed that Oliver didn't even write the song lol, he was contacted to record it through a PR agency. I hate the term industry plant but This is the perfect example of one. @@Sycady

[@rambojack10]

Grady using Curvis Yarvin's term "the Cathedral" to describe the modern bureaucracy was not on my bingo card. Great to see these terms go mainstream

[@danielmckinley7604]

Wow I sure hope it's *not* an indication of Grady being in any way influenced by 'dark enlightenment' aka 'neoreactionary' claptrap. I'd hate for him to go from smart and thoughtful to a blithering and ill-intentioned idiot.

[@beplanking]

Hope Grady's not into that wacko's philosophies. Not a cancel culture person so I wouldn't not watch his stuff because of it but you gotta be going through some stuff to actually want to live in an autocracy

[@nayslayer2563]

I know it comes from Yarvin, but I picked it up from Michael Malice who doesn’t exactly strike me as a neomonarchist. 😆

[@rambojack10]

@@nayslayer2563 Funny enough, the first time I heard it was on a podcast the two did together back in 2020 I believe.

[@ryanwalker9842]

Great song and a great message that really speaks to the moment we are in. He’s raw and brings the truth

[@bobberino4775]

I feel that theres a lot of good in this song but the problem comes when he shifts the blame from the rich to the everyday man deciding to treat himself even though he may be obese. While our welfare system could be better dont let those lines distract you from the fact that the ultra rich elite hoarding their massive wealth are the main problem and everything else comes after

[@davidwallenofficial]

New world, old soul… love it! Yes Sir! Congrats on your new home!

[@ColtonSteiner]

This is my kind of music. The lyrics are great, the bluegrassy tone is beautiful, and just his sound is awesome. So excited to see more from him and glad he's getting prominent recognition.

[@dmoi714]

Seeing redditors talk about Oliver makes me absolutely flabbergasted that some of these people are able to go out in public. Like you mentioned, the stuff they come up with is crazy wild and some even have a deep hatred of him like he made the song about them. Anyways, good video.

[@warmflash]

This song reminds me of Working Class Hero - written by John Lennon and performed by Lennon on a resonator

[@gracestinson2906]

So crazy and so good! Congratulations to him!

[@sampsonleigh]

“Ain’t Got a Dollar” my jam

[@luanmckenzie7356]

He looks a little like you Grady!!

[@tuckergaskins]

Wow this was such a great take. Good stuff Grady!!

[@jameshummeldorf805]

This isn’t a protest song really, it’s an astroturf anthem putting the blame on the wrong people. He sounds great but the message is toxic

[@brn2863]

He is a symbol of revolution though... it's sort of undeniable and unavoidable. People are absolutely fed up and that is why this song is doing what it's doing, aside from obviously the fact that he's an incredibly gifted artist.

[@Ashley24K]

This song is good and relates to many regardless of political leaning though it does lean right of center. Another some I have been enjoying is “If I Were the Devil” by Colby Acuff. Have a listen, it causes you to pause and think.

[@leedavis3704]

“ If I were the devil”was originally a commentary by Paul Harvey on his radio show many years ago look it up !

[@LynetteTheMadScientist]

I work at a grocery store and yeah the only people with full carts are the ones using food stamps. And those carts are always full of soda, chips, Little Debbie’s, and all kinds of junk like that. If you’re gonna be spending somebody else’s money on food you should at least be buying remotely healthy foods. I don’t see why SNAP can’t be regulated the same way WIC is

[@BishopWalters12]

It's so weird that so many people on the left are offended by this song especially the welfare lyric but not offended by healthy adults that don't want to work and have no conscience when it comes to taking other people's money.

[@snakedoctor5397]

The 80 year old lady that works at our local grocery store tells me all about it. How young healthy people come in and get all kinds of food for basically nothing and then the elderly come in and can barely afford to buy the necessities and are still working.

[@jking54544]

I tend to agree ... I think it's a centrist song at its core. I think it's a stinging criticism of the powers that be and, honestly, it's a song that's needed right now. Because both sides of the aisle are not representing we the people. I think it's an incredible song delivered with a passion that is on the level of Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson. As for the coming culture war over this song ... this video barely beat it. Saving Country Music did an article all about that earlier today. It's going to get worse. Funny thing is I feel sorry for this guy and what he's about to go through. In my mind (and I could CLEARLY be wrong) this is just a guy from Virginia who lives on a farm, has good song-writing skills and a powerful voice and delivery that has caught on in a moment begging for a song like this. His world is going to be completely turned upside down, and he may never recover from it. I hope that's not the case and this guy can go back to doing what he loves because he loves it.

[@brees3]

He certainly doesn't strike me as someone trying to "make it big" so I hope all the attention (especially the negative attention) doesn't get to him.

[@bbtdgfan890]

​@@brees3He's in an article on LinkedIn. He's an industry plant. He's not organic, he's just a racist with people from far-right media companies backing him.

[@nicholasvogt2524]

Called it 😂

[@Cdyoung15]

Always love when a fellow Virginia native gets some shine. He’s speaking facts and representing us Virginians proudly

[@peachykeen7634]

Amen.. sick of nova running the State 💔

[@brrrrharrr]

write a song about painting your chair and then finding a less work chair at the same store within a week. make it a metaphor!

[@trip4osu]

This is the most obvious industry plant I've ever seen. It's a song full of right wing talking points in a direct response to the recent Tyler Childers backlash from that demographic. They saw they could buy their way to the top of the charts with Jason Aldean, and they're doing it again here. It's so sad to see this get so much recognition when great artists like Jason Isbell, American Aquarium, and others have spent years writing about the troubles of rural America with little exposure.

[@Mendamar-uv4jg]

Ahh yes. Right-wing industry plant. The least delusional liberal accusation.

[@snakedoctor5397]

@@Mendamar-uv4jghaters are going to hate

[@JackCerro]

My only issue with this song is he lays all the blame for his plight on politicians in Washington. Meanwhile, he ignores his local politicians, he ignores the local companies underpaying his community, and ignores his own bad decision to turn to alcohol to drown his sorrows.

[@chadbrooks9763]

The sad thing is I doubt the rich men north of Richmond will ever hear this, or they'll just laugh at it because nothing will change

[@MChuck-]

This is his peak. He can't make any other country song now after this.

[@MoonpieNobot]

He could have called out an inefficient welfare system without fat shaming. That’s calling out an individual person. He also could have done some research into it and how social assistance programs provide invaluable help, but actually need more funding. These complaints about “welfare queens” and handouts since Reagan are getting tired and are uninformed at best and disingenuous class bs at worst.

[@emmahaven3164]

Thank you!

[@joshk528]

Fats need to be shamed into getting in shape.

[@MattMcConaha]

It's a strawman that we've all seen a million times, and is just a cringe thing to say in a song. It's the type of thing the hardcore right wingers say on Facebook thinking that they're making a killer argument, but it's really just the least deep observation that someone can make that barely touches on the real problems with the current welfare system.

[@Kyle-rz3gp]

This song is such a banger

[@johnnymetonymic]

Just hit 10 million.

[@brizwaldjonson]

If he hasn't done something wrong, they'll just make it up.

[@stacimckoin1263]

You are hitting the nail on the head with this commentary. How did you get in my head?

[@jimmynash612]

Could’ve sworn Grady was the one singing

[@valeries2037]

Just shared this on Facebook. Like always, you have a great way analizying a song, so more need to hear it.

[@sokyoutdoors588]

Oliver’s picture will go in the dictionary right next to the phrase “broke the internet “!

[@AScarletWoman]

That the instant reactions to the welfare line are giggles is part of the problem: this is not a thoughtful song, it's a populist one. It appeals to the meaner, more emotional side of people and feeds them conservative nonsense. This is to be expected from someone like Oliver, who enjoys watching conspiracy theory videos about how Jews did 9/11, but I'm disappointed that Grady can't see through this. 'It's how blue collar folks feel!' Ironically, a conservative saying applies: fuck your feelings. Look at the facts. And the facts are this is a heartfelt but dumb political song by a conspiracy theorist that got amplified by right wing outlets almost instantly.

[@ndfisk]

I love the song and can definitely see its mass appeal, but how are you so sure it’s a natural phenomenon? All you did was dismiss the claims entirely and call them “conspiracy theorists,” which is a classic tactic when there is actually some truth to a claim- Ignore any possibility, not actually attempt to debunk, and dismiss as “crazy”. I agree with the song but it really is unbelievable HOW much I saw/heard it everywhere within a day.

[@teamedwardchauncey]

Flying to go see his shows. Bruh lmao

[@basedrooster]

Great analysis, but wouldn’t expect anything less. Thanks Grady

[@owenoseroff]

After 9 days the original video is at 21 million views and #1 on trending still.

[@Redbird1504]

I think its like 70vmillion views now.

[@owenherndon3794]

Love the chair painting updates Grady

[@WPMontgomery]

You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive reminds me of this entire deal too.

[@Jake7-gt8jw]

Buncha fudge round eaters here

[@nehrigen]

Great song.

[@martinhruz5092]

Man, I am amazed at how this song reflects my feelings of the government Right now! A Patriot that loves my country, serving in the military for 25 years, now with a broken heart. I am saddened by our country's standings globally. Seeing the leadership decay away our financial security, national and personal, makes me sick to my stomach! "Richest Nation On Earth", not for long citizens, you get what you vote for. I commend his attitude and commitment to what's right! Calling 'em like you see 'em bro. 🎉

[@kirbytrageser5053]

Heavily disagree on the “fudge rounds” take. Welfare exists as a safety net and we should not focus on the few who take advantage of the system. I feel like that line being included takes away from the meaning of working class versus the elites

[@PawzyCon]

such a great song. absolutely beautiful and an amazing job by oliver!

[@knutolavhalseth6761]

Thanks Grady for once again updating me on what's going on on the music scene over the pond!

[@Nothank1997]

Please let this be the start of the end of the pop country music industry…

[@colinpalmer9370]

This song is gonna be anylyzed in history classes in 50 years.

[@Tenebyss]

You can’t honestly believe this

[@Shackleford_Rusty]

He’s speaking truth, it’s a raw scream of the frustration people have to endure at the hands of a few big cities.

[@kadegainey5123]

I saw Matt Walsh post about it on my feed and I face palmed.

[@wolfcrisp]

Right, I didn't care to check it out at first, but when I saw Matt Walsh and Ben Shapiro promoting it I was like... Turned off so much...

[@MK-og9hk]

​@wolfcrisp so you don't like a song bc someone you disagree with does?

[@wolfcrisp]

@@MK-og9hk damn, lib destroyed with facts and logic