The rise of Oliver Anthony and 'Rich Men North of Richmond'

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/24/ [login to see] /the-rise-of-oliver-anthony-and-rich-men-north-of-richmond
The song "Rich Men North of Richmond" — written and performed by an artist nearly no one had heard of just a few weeks ago — was perched at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That was even before its creator, who goes by Oliver Anthony, was placed front and center at Wednesday night's GOP debate. It was featured before the candidates even spoke.

Anthony posted a video on Friday, two days after the debate, distancing himself from politicians and other figures trying to glom on to the success of "Rich Men North of Richmond," saying it was "funny" to see the candidates talk about his song on the debate stage.

"I wrote that song about those people," he said. "I do hate to see that song being weaponized."

Anthony has already achieved a first for any musician working in any genre: he made the top of the charts out of nowhere. He's never had a song on any chart, and "Rich Men North of Richmond" was released just over two weeks ago.

"Rich Men North of Richmond" seems to fit into a deep vein of protest music, decrying the fat cats who would take advantage of the working man. At its surface, Anthony's song echoes generations of singer-songwriterly tradition. Lyrics celebrating the working man and woman have a long history in American music, from artists including Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Bill Withers and Bruce Springsteen.

Scratch the surface, however, and you also find extremist and conspiratorial narratives.