Over the past few days one song has taken the nation by storm. The song?
Rich Men North of Richmond
Oliver Anthony
Written and performed by a blue-collar man who worked 12-hour shifts six days a week in a factory in North Carolina.
Like all of us, Oliver Anthony is a broken and imperfect man.
Like some of us, he has struggled with mental health issues.
Like others, he’s fought an ongoing battle with alcoholism.
In July 2023, Oliver broke down. He cried out to God. Psalm 34 contains the prayer of another broken, imperfect man who desperately needed God.
“This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.”
—PSALM 34:6 NIV
Oliver promised God that he would get sober if He would help him follow his dream.
Approximately 30 days later, radiowv, a YouTube music channel based in West Virginia reached out to Oliver and asked him to record a couple of songs for their channel. One of those songs was, “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
As of this writing, the YT video has garnered 11 million views and climbing. The song also skyrocketed to #1 on iTunes, followed by two more of Oliver’s songs, “Ain’t Gotta Dollar” and “I’ve Got To Get Sober,” coming in at two and three, respectively.
Why has this song captivated a nation?
Why does it resonate so deeply?
Why has it be come the anthem of the working class in America?
More importantly, why does your heart ache when you hear it?
In a recent video post, Oliver vulnerably shared, “I’m not a good musician… I hardly know my way around the guitar. My singing’s okay… That’s not what made this… It’s you, and the struggles of your life. That’s what’s made this…” [1]
I believe there are two reasons Oliver’s song resonates.
1. It’s authentic.
Oliver performs the song in a field surrounded by his three dogs wearing a simple Goochland (a county in Virginia) t-shirt and playing a dobro. That’s it. There’s no band. No production. Just a dobro, mic and Oliver’s lyrics and voice.
The song contains some language: bullsh*t, sh*t and d*mn. But the language honestly expresses the frustration and desperation Oliver feels. No filter. Just the raw, real vernacular of a broken heart.
“I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day,
Overtime hours for bullsh*t pay.
So I can sit out here and waste my life away.
Drag back home and drown my troubles away.”
“It’s a d*mn shame what the world’s gotten to,
For people like me and people like you.
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true,
But it is, oh, it is.”
In eight simple, short lines, Oliver has captured the heart of what many Americans are going through.
In the chorus, Oliver decries and wails against the leadership coming out of Washington, D.C. (Rich Men North of Richmond) whose lust for power and control keep them from actually serving the people they claim to represent.
“Livin’ in the new world,
With an old soul.
These rich men north of Richmond,
Lord knows they all just wanna have total control.
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do.
And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do.
‘Cause your dollar ain’t sh*t, and it’s taxed to no end,
‘Cause of rich men north of Richmond.”
Oliver goes on to lament the lack of personal responsibility by so many people in our country. He grieves the rising suicide rate among young men in America, before going back to the pre-chorus where he longs for the current state of the world to be a dream that he can just wake up from.
“Lord, it’s a d*mn shame what the world’s gotten to,
For people like me and people like you.
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true,
But it is, oh, it is.”
Some have attempted to pigeonhole the song as “right wing.” I don’t think it’s right or left. In fact, Oliver has called himself “dead center,” because, as he says both of the major political parties “bow to the same master.” The song doesn’t resonate because it’s political. It resonates because it’s human. It’s real. It’s relatable. It feels genuine.
Back to my questions:
Why has this song captivated a nation?
Why does it resonate so deeply?
Why does your heart ache when you hear it?
First of all, because it’s authentic.
2. It hints at our deepest ache and longing.
There’s something about Oliver’s voice — the way He belts out the song — that captivates you the moment you hear it. When that voice soulfully sings those lyrics, something about the combination of the two cuts deeply. I can’t hear the song without being moved. Without getting emotional.
It was probably the third time I listened to the song that the words of Paul in Romans 8:22-23 came to mind.
…we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan… …we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering… —ROMANS 8:22-23 NLT
That’s what the song feels like to me. It feels like a man “groaning” for his redemption — for our redemption — from sin and suffering. From evil and exploitation.
Groaning doesn’t come with a filter. Groaning isn’t neat, pretty or perfect. Groaning is raw and real.
Oliver’s song is a lament over our national deficit of politicians and leaders who genuinely love, serve, sacrifice and care for those they’re called to serve, while at the same time subtly reminding us of the kind of leader(s) our hearts actually long and cry out for.
In Isaiah 32, Isaiah described the kind of leadership that causes people to flourish, not fade. Check out his description. Ask yourself, “What politician or leader currently fits this bill?”
Look, a righteous king is coming!
And honest princes will rule under him.
2 Each one will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water in the desert
and the shadow of a great rock in a parched land.
3 Then everyone who has eyes will be able to see the truth,
and everyone who has ears will be able to hear it.
4 Even the hotheads will be full of sense and understanding.
Those who stammer will speak out plainly.
5 In that day ungodly fools will not be heroes.
Scoundrels will not be respected.
6 For fools speak foolishness
and make evil plans.
They practice ungodliness
and spread false teachings about the Lord.
They deprive the hungry of food
and give no water to the thirsty.
7 The smooth tricks of scoundrels are evil.
They plot crooked schemes.
They lie to convict the poor,
even when the cause of the poor is just.
8 But generous people plan to do what is generous,
and they stand firm in their generosity.
—ISAIAH 32:1-8 NLT
That’s the kind of leadership we want. It’s the kind of leadership we crave.
Good leaders are like…
- a shelter from the wind,
- a refuge or safe cover from the storm,
- a stream of cool, running water in the desert, and,
- the shadow of a great rock providing shade in a parched land (v 2).
Good leaders…
- put truth on display.
- have lives marked by holiness and wholeness, virtue and values, character and integrity (v 3).
- communicate in way that provides direction and hope (v 4).
- provide an example — in their attitudes, actions and communication —that is worth following and even emulating (v 5), and,
- create an atmosphere and culture of prosperity and abundance that allows all people, especially the poor, to prosper in every area of life. (vs 6-8).
In other words, good leaders are the exact opposite of Rich Men North of Richmond. Oliver’s song is a lament over our national lack of leadership and a passionate prayer for leaders who will actually lead.
It’s interesting that the weekend after Oliver’s song shot up the charts, he performed at Morris Farm Market in Barco, North Carolina. In a town of 600, more than a thousand people braved the heat to show up and see Oliver Anthony perform. Looking at the crowd of hundreds, Oliver said, “It’s crazy to me… Because back in June I played here for like 20 people…”
Oliver then said, “Before we start singing… I had something I felt compelled to share with you…” He then read from Psalm 37:12-20. It’s a psalm that deals with age old question: “Why do wicked people prosper, while godly and good people seem to struggle?”
12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish:
Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,
they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
—PSALM 37:12-17 NIV
Oliver then launched into Rich Men North of Richmond as the crowd began to sing along.
He performed for about 50 minutes and shook hands, signed autographs, took pics and listened to stories about how his song had connected with people for the next 4+ hours.
On a video post Oliver made after the performance, he asked the following questions as he reflected on what had just happened at the farmer’s market.
“When Oliver Anthony is long gone and forgotten about, what can you do in your own life to maintain this energy… What are the next steps to make life better for people? What can you do for your neighbor?”
I love his questions. Oliver doesn’t want listeners to wallow in the pain and frustration of the song. He wants them to take personal responsibility for doing something about the mess we currently find ourselves in.
So, what are some next steps we can take?
My suggestion. Let’s do the things that made Oliver Anthony’s song connect with our hearts in the first place.
- First of all, let’s determine to live authentically.
In other words, take off your mask. Let down your guard. Be real. Be genuine. Let someone in.
If you struggle with mental health issues? Admit them. (For instance, the truth about me is that I do. I have to diligently guard the health of my mind.)
If you battle with an addiction? Confess it. Get plugged into a program like Celebrate Recovery designed to help you live a life of freedom.
An old adage in AA goes like this:
“We are only as sick as our secrets.”
Oliver’s song connects because it speaks out loud what many of us have kept as a secret. We’re hurting, frustrated, frightened and scared. We need help and we desperately need some hope.
Authenticity and vulnerability open the door to healing, help and hope.
- Remember the reason for your deepest ache and longing.
Your greatest longing is for God.
The ache in your soul is for the eternal.
Your deepest desire is for the redemption and ultimate transformation our coming King will bring.
C.S. Lewis once described it like this:
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” —C.S. Lewis
We were made for another world. And, one day, all the Rich Men North of Richmond will kneel before the one true, wise, just, loving and faithful God (Philippians 2:10-11).
A leader who doesn’t exploit his people, but selflessly serves them.
A leader who doesn’t misuse and abuse power, but wields it for the protection and provision of the objects of his love and affection.
A leader who is always truthful, honorable and faithful.
A leader who doesn’t walk all over people, but raises them to sit with Him in heavenly places.
A leader who is strong and sovereign, and works all things together for His great glory and our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).
Interestingly enough, at the same time Oliver Anthony’s song broke, I came across a song I had never heard by worship leader, Christy Nockels. Based on Psalm 2, Christy’s song describes the King and Leader our hearts long for. I’ll close this post, by linking to that song. It’s a great bookend to Oliver Anthony’s song.
As For Me (Psalm 2)
Christy Nockels
Rich Men North of Richmond (Lyrics)
I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day
Overtime hours for bullsh*t pay
So I can sit out here and waste my life away
Drag back home and drown my troubles away
It’s a d*mn shame what the world’s gotten to
For people like me and people like you
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is
Livin’ in the new world
With an old soul
These rich men north of Richmond
Lord knows they all just wanna have total control
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do
‘Cause your dollar ain’t sh*t and it’s taxed to no end
‘Cause of rich men north of Richmond
I wish politicians would look out for miners
And not just minors on an island somewhere
Lord, we got folks in the street, ain’t got nothin’ to eat
And the obese milkin’ welfare
Well, God, if you’re 5-foot-3 and you’re 300 pounds
Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of fudge rounds
Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the ground
‘Cause all this d*mn country does is keep on kickin’ them down
Lord, it’s a d*mn shame what the world’s gotten to
For people like me and people like you
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is
Livin’ in the new world
With an old soul
These rich men north of Richmond
Lord knows they all just wanna have total control
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do
‘Cause your dollar ain’t sh*t and it’s taxed to no end
‘Cause of rich men north of Richmond
I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day
Overtime hours for bullsh*t pay…
—Oliver Anthony
[1] https://youtu.be/fsjhRmq9S2s