Once-unknown singer-songwriter Oliver Anthony has gone viral overnight with his song, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” with many hailing the song as an anthem for the working man.
Anthony’s song voices many struggles of working-class Americans. The song communicates the pain of being overworked for subpar pay, only to have the money “taxed to no end” and to see others cheat the welfare system.
The full performance was posted to the YouTube Channel RadioWV. In roughly 48 hours, the original video has acquired 1.7 million views on YouTube, as of press time. It has also been viewed over 2.5 million times on X.
In response to the success of the song, Anthony posted to his X account, “Rich Men North of Richmond has been uploaded to all major streaming platforms and will show up there in a few days. Im [sic] still in a state of shock at the outpouring of love I’ve seen in the comments, messages and emails. I’m working to respond to everyone as quickly as possible.”
Perhaps the most notable theme throughout the song is the great chasm between the elites and the average working man. The “rich men north of Richmond” in Washington, D.C., and New York City, among other cities, “don’t think you know” what is right, so “they all just wanna have total control,” Anthony sings. The song makes a very clear reference to Epstein Island when he sings, “I wish politicians would look out for miners, and not just minors on an island somewhere.”
The solemn tone and relatability of the song are underscored by Anthony’s incredible voice being complemented by the acoustics of the surrounding woods and his resonator guitar. He stands just under a deer blind while a few of his dogs lie next to him and listen.
Many prominent conservatives have come out praising the song. Daily Wire host Matt Walsh posted to X, “This is the kind of country music I like.” Walsh shared that he was listening to other songs Anthony has posted, saying, “Happy to report that his other songs are great too. Raw and poetic. The man expresses the pain that many forgotten Americans live with every day.”
Glenn Beck praised the song, saying, “This is the voice of much of America. Oliver Anthony Thank you for your voice.”
This is the voice of much of America. https://t.co/VIhRIn6aX5. Oliver Anthony Thank you for your voice. @musicwv
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) August 11, 2023
Benny Johnson described the song as an “American working-man’s protest song.”
“Rich Men North of Richmond” is the most listened to track in the world in the past 24 hours.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 11, 2023
This American working-man’s protest song has millions & millions of plays.
Sung by an off-the-grid farmer in the countryside with his dogs.
Follow Oliver Anthony at: @AintGottaDollar pic.twitter.com/xKEgZQXYx4
Jack Posobiec recounted his reaction. “Don’t even remember the last time a new song hit me like this,” he said, and then sarcastically adding, “Be a shame if this anthem went absolutely viral.”
Country music star John Rich shared the video with the caption, “VOLUME UP!” The video of the performance was even shared by Joe Rogan and Sean Hannity.
“Haunting sound and commentary on what’s happened to America’s working class,” Fox News’ Laura Ingram said of the song.
Jason Howerton made contact with Oliver Anthony and shared some of Anthony’s story through a thread posted on X. Anthony has struggled with mental health and alcohol in the recent past, Howerton said. Prior to the success of the song, he promised God he would get sober if God would help him pursue his dream, according to Howerton.
Oliver Anthony currently resides with his three dogs in Farmville, Virginia, pursuing an off-the-grid lifestyle on 90 acres of land, according to WhiskeyRiff.
The performance can be seen here: