Viral country artist Oliver Anthony shared a new video lamenting the future of the United States if progressives and conservatives cannot find a way forward together.
“This isn’t a Republican and Democrat thing,” Anthony said about his No. 1 song “Rich Men North of Richmond.” “This isn’t even a United States thing… It’s my belief that divine intervention has put me in this position in this point in time to get a message across.
During the 12-minute video, Anthony shared his worry about the future of America and said he hopes his music brings the country together.
“I don’t know what this country is going to look like in 10 or 20 years if things don’t change,” he said. “I don’t know what this world is going to look like. Something has to be done about it. There’s been too many people dying. There’s been too many people sacrificing everything they’ve had. People die before they’re even 18 just for us to all sit here and just do the stupid s–t it is that we do every day that keeps us all beat down and divided.
“That’s what I want to see stop,” he continued. “And I’m going to do everything I can to influence that at all costs, even if it does throw my world upside down. It’s well worth it.”
Anthony’s viral hit rose to prominence this month, with many conservative leaders promoting its message. During Wednesday night’s Republican presidential debate, Fox News played a clip of “Rich Men North of Richmon” before asking candidates about its message.
The first Republican presidential debate began with Fox News playing a clip from Anthony’s song Rich Men North of Richmond and then asking the candidates to address the tune’s popularity.
“It was funny seeing it at the presidential debate,” Anthony said, “because it’s like, I wrote that song about those people. So for them to have to sit there and listen to that, that cracks me up.
“But it was funny kind of seeing the response to it,” he continued. “Like, that song has nothing to do with Joe Biden. It’s a lot bigger than Joe Biden. That song was written about the people on that stage — and a lot more, too. Not just them, but definitely them.”
Anthony also shared that his music is not intended to be political. Rather, he wants to create music that “represents people and not politics.”
“The one thing that has bothered me is seeing people wrap politics up in this,” he said. “It’s aggravating seeing people on conservative news try to identify with me, like I’m one of them. It’s aggravating seeing certain musicians and politicians act like we’re buddies and act like we’re fighting the same struggle here. I see the Right trying to characterize me as one of their own, and I see the Left trying to discredit me.”
Anthony wrapped up his video sharing he wants to stay genuine with his music.
“I don’t want to go on some roller coaster ride and come off a different person,” he said.
