The song was first released on YouTube less than two weeks ago, making the singer the first artist ever to rise to the top without any prior charting history.
If you haven’t heard of Oliver Anthony or his song “Rich Men North of Richmond” by now, you might be living under a rock. The song, which was released in August 2023, has taken the country by storm, topping the charts, breaking records, and sparking debates. But who is Oliver Anthony, and what is his song about?
Who is Oliver Anthony?
Oliver Anthony is a 28-year-old country-folk singer from Farmville, Virginia. He grew up on a farm and learned to play guitar from his grandfather. He has been writing songs since he was a teenager, but he never pursued a career in music until recently. He used to work as a mechanic and a carpenter, but he quit his jobs to live off the grid with his three dogs. He records his songs on his cell phone and uploads them to YouTube under the name “Oliver Anthony Music”.
What is “Rich Men North of Richmond” about?
“Rich Men North of Richmond” is a song that expresses Anthony’s frustration with the state of the country and the plight of the working class. He sings about low wages, high taxes, inflation, food poverty, welfare abuse, child trafficking, and the centralization of power by the elites. He uses the phrase “rich men north of Richmond” to refer to the politicians and corporations that he believes are exploiting and oppressing the people. He also makes references to Jeffrey Epstein and his private island, which some have interpreted as a nod to the QAnon conspiracy theory.
Listen to “Rich Men North of Richmond” on YouTube
How did the song become a viral hit?
The song was first uploaded to YouTube on August 8, 2023, by Radiowv, a radio station based in West Virginia. The video received over 5 million views in its first three days. The song then gained traction on social media platforms such as TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook, where users shared clips of the song and their reactions to it. The song also caught the attention of celebrities and influencers such as Joe Rogan, John Rich, Dan Bongino, Matt Walsh, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who praised the song and promoted it to their followers.
The song’s popularity translated into sales and streams, and it debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on August 21, 2023. It became the first song to debut atop the chart without any prior chart history in any form by the artist. It also topped other charts such as the Billboard Country Airplay chart, the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart, and the Billboard Streaming Songs chart.
Why is the song a cultural phenomenon?
The song has been described as an anthem for various groups of people, such as blue-collar workers, conservatives, right-wingers, and everyman. The song resonates with many listeners who feel disillusioned with the current political and economic situation in the country. The song also reflects a growing trend of populist sentiment and anti-establishment sentiment among some segments of the population. The song has sparked discussions and debates about various issues such as taxation, welfare, corruption, child abuse, conspiracy theories, and patriotism. The song has also generated controversy and criticism from some who disagree with its message or its tone. Some have accused Anthony of being ignorant, racist, sexist, homophobic, or extremist.
What’s next for Oliver Anthony?
Oliver Anthony has said that he is overwhelmed by the success of his song and that he is grateful for the support he has received from his fans. He has also said that he is not interested in fame or money and that he just wants to make music that speaks to people. He has announced that he is working on an album that will feature more songs like “Rich Men North of Richmond”.
He has also said that he plans to donate some of his earnings to charity and to help his family and friends. He has not signed with any record label or management company yet, but he has received offers from several major players in the industry. He has also received invitations to perform at various events and venues across the country.