Oliver Anthony laughs at use of Rich Men North of Richmond at GOP presidential debate and says he wrote song about ‘those people’
Singer Oliver Anthony has laughed at the use of his song “Rich Men North of Richmond” during the Republican debate, saying he “wrote that song about those people.”
The former factory worker’s hit shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Apple Music charts earlier this month after his moving YouTube performance captivated millions.
But in a new video, Anthony says he feels hampered by “seeing how people get politically involved in this.” The singer has maintained that he is a centrist when it comes to politics and has refused to describe himself as liberal or conservative.
On Wednesday night, the song’s popularity became a talking point at the GOP debate, with Fox debate moderator Martha MacCallum asking, “Why is this song hitting such a chord in this country right now?” What do you think it means?’
Ron DeSantis replied, “Our country is in decline, this decline is not inevitable. It’s a choice. We must send Joe Biden back to his basement and reverse America’s decline.”
Speaking from his truck as the rain poured down outside in buckets, Anthony said on Friday that while it was “great” that the song was being recognized, he thought it was “funny” that the song was being used among people for who it was intended.
Oliver Anthony has laughed at his song that was discussed during the GOP debate
Anthony says he feels hampered by “seeing how people get politically involved in this,” and says he “wrote that song about those people” on stage
Oliver Anthony gained millions of fans after sharing his national anthem
Just weeks ago, the musician – real name Christopher Anthony Lunsford – was a relative unknown with only a few hundred social media followers
“It was funny to see it during the presidential debate,” he says with a broad smile. ‘Cause it’s like I wrote that song about the people you know? So that they have to sit there and listen to it, that drives me crazy.’
He said it was also humorous to see the reactions to it: “That song has nothing to do with Joe Biden. It’s much bigger than Joe Biden.
“That song was written about the people on that stage. And many more, not just them, but definitely them.
“It’s hard to deliver a message about your political ideology or your beliefs to the world in three minutes and with some change, but I hate seeing that song as a weapon.
“I see the right trying to characterize me as one of them, and I see the left trying to discredit me, probably in retaliation. That shit has got to stop.’
He says it’s frustrating that people try to identify with him as if he were one of them.
The country song has anticipated Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift’s offer
The populist anthem has already attracted a legion of devoted followers
Anthony releases his music without a record label
“It’s annoying to see certain musicians and politicians behaving like we’re friends, like we’re fighting the same battle here. Like we’re trying to get the same messages across,” he added.
Earlier in the clip, he said he answered many questions from friends and family asking if he’s “lost his sanity yet.”
He says he focuses on living in the present and making the right decisions from now on.
“I’m surprisingly calm and peaceful,” he said. I am grateful to be given this opportunity.’
“The music side is exciting, all those Billboard/iTunes charts and all that bullshit, that’s great, but the exciting part is the conversations I’ve had with people and the things I’ve learned about people over the past few weeks. spirit, and about all kinds of other things, the music industry and how dirty everything is. It’s worse than you think.’
The Farmville, Virginia native has been performing as a relative unknown for years and characterizes himself as “an idiot with a guitar.”
The blue-collar singer said he hopes his song will make Americans realize that “the federal government is not going to save us,” he told The Free Press in an interview on Thursday.
“What I want from this for the general public is that people are no longer dependent on someone 150 or 300 miles away to solve their problems for them,” he added.
“As no one is Washington DC, no one in the federal government is coming to save us,” he added.
Anthony emphasized the importance of forming relationships and bonds within local communities, saying, “The people who are going to save us are each other, local relationships.”
He also noted the disturbing trend of increasing disconnection, even between families.
“Even families are torn apart. I’ve seen this in my old household, where you have a whole family under one roof and instead of spending time together and taking care of each other, they’re all just sitting there looking at their own piece of technology, there completely merged and not into each other.’