Amid the ongoing cultural conflicts that continue to fracture US politics, an unexpected figure has emerged as a new icon for the right wing—Oliver Anthony. Whether he intended it or not, Anthony has become the latest source of inspiration for conservative circles. Just last week, his song “Rich Men North of Richmond” debuted on a West Virginia radio station’s YouTube channel.
This song critiques the government and its extensive reach, quickly spreading across the internet. Anthony, a relatively unknown singer-songwriter, garnered more than two million views within two days and has since amassed over 20 million views.
The music video, although modestly produced, features Anthony—a robust man sporting a prominent red beard and strumming a guitar—standing amidst a wooded backdrop. He exudes the essence of an everyday working-class individual. In lyrics that resonate, he sings, “I’ve been selling my soul, working all day / Overtime hours for negligible pay. / It’s a lamentable reality the world’s succumbed to, / For individuals like me and people like you.”
Rich Men North of Richmond
However, it wasn’t solely the working-class audience that took note. Swiftly, right-wing political figures seized upon the song’s themes, which dovetail with certain conservative narratives. The track criticizes government overreach and condemns individuals reliant on welfare. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and others enthusiastically embraced the song, with Greene hailing it as “the anthem of the forgotten Americans.” Kari Lake, the Republican candidate backed by Trump in Arizona’s gubernatorial race, hailed it as “the anthem of this pivotal moment in American history.” Even NBC News caught wind of the story, labeling it a “conservative anthem.”
Conversely, on the left, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut advocated for progressives to engage with the song. He posited that the issues Anthony highlighted were areas where the left could offer superior solutions compared to the right. Consequently, media outlets amplified the song’s message, magnifying its impact.
While the song undoubtedly possesses its own musical allure, its resonance within the news and culture largely derives from its potent political messaging. Yet, intriguingly, Anthony himself disclosed in a pre-debut video, released the day before “Rich Men” dropped, that he identifies as politically centrist.
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Despite the viral explosion of his composition, Anthony has remained reticent, refraining from interviews and declining to comment when approached by BBC Culture.
