Rich Men North of Richmond Ignites Culture Wars : Rich Men North of Richmond,” a popular country song by Oliver Anthony, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was discussed at a recent Republican presidential debate. The song quickly gained 30 million plays on Spotify and 46 million views on YouTube when it was released on August 8. Luminate data shows nearly 150,000 digital files sold in its first week.
“Rich Men” is a popular film that has sparked culture wars in the U.S. Conservative politicians and pundits appreciate the song for addressing working-class challenges. Artist Christopher Anthony Lunsford, formerly a factory worker, expressed his dislike for the song’s political use in a recent YouTube video.
The song’s success is part of a trend of conservatives entering pop culture, especially with conservative-themed country songs. Joel Penney, a professor at Montclair State University, says conservative views are increasingly entering the entertainment industry. “Conservatives are increasingly using pop culture as a main battleground,” says Penney.
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Eric T. Kasper, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, says that connecting politicians to popular culture is not new. Still, it helps them connect positively with people. He claims that songs like “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen and “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie were similarly promoted.
“Rich Men” didn’t rise to the top due to a strategy. Lawmakers like Marjorie Taylor Greene and pundits like Matt Walsh supported it, gaining more attention. Brian Mansfield, the Country Insider managing editor, believes the song’s popularity demonstrates conservatives’ ability to mobilize fans, akin to Taylor Swift and K-pop fans.
“Rich Men” has conservative support, but not everyone is a fan. Some say song parts about welfare are anti-poor. Due to this reaction, Anthony had to clarify his intention. It’s annoying when conservative news tries to connect with me like I’m one of them,” Anthony said, adding that he’s politically in the middle and dislikes how his song has been “weaponized.
The song’s rapid popularity and its impact on politics demonstrate the complex connection between pop culture and politics. Penney argues that despite the popularity of “Rich Men” and Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town,” conservatives aren’t dominating pop culture. Penney says conservatives are making more gains in a previously closed-off world.
Despite the creators’ intentions, “Rich Men” has become a political lightning rod, highlighting how the arts can fuel societal battles.
