• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Dem Sen. Chris Murphy rebukes left for mocking ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ singer Oliver Anthony
Economy

Dem Sen. Chris Murphy rebukes left for mocking ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ singer Oliver Anthony

by August 27, 2023
by August 27, 2023 0 comment
Share
1
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., on Friday pushed back against some left-wing critics of singer Oliver Anthony’s viral sensation ‘Rich Men North of Richmond.’ 

In a Substack post, Murphy observed that conservatives have celebrated Anthony as a working-class hero while many progressives have mocked him as another ‘right-wing zealot.’ The senator remarked that both sides have politicized Anthony and his music, with the ‘political establishment’ treating him as either ‘with us’ or ‘against us.’ 

‘I saw it somewhat differently, and I think so did many people outside of the political establishment,’ wrote Murphy, a progressive Democrat. ‘For instance, probe the positive replies on social media to the song, and you won’t just find rural white conservatives, but urban young black men too. Anthony’s lyrics don’t add much color to what he considers this ‘new world’ to be, but the viral reaction to the song suggests most people have a pretty good idea what he’s referencing.’

Anthony’s song is a lament for the working class he characterizes as kicked around too long. He sings in ‘Rich Men’ about working ‘overtime hours for bulls— pay,’ high taxation, substance abuse, the suicide epidemic and other social ills. 

‘There is a growing spiritual emptiness in American life, in which profit matters more than character, virtual connection has replaced real connection, everything not nailed down has been turned into a commodity, and the personal meaning that comes from true economic agency has been stolen from millions of families,’ Murphy wrote. 

But while Murphy identified several themes of Anthony’s song he agreed with, the Democratic lawmaker said he was frustrated by how Anthony ‘carelessly and incorrectly labels boilerplate conservative complaints, like food stamps and taxes, as the culprits for his economic and spiritual malaise.’

‘And it is likely that some of those cheering Anthony’s critique are angry at a ‘new world’ where women and immigrants have more power,’ he added. ‘But the truth is, if Anthony and his friends are having trouble making ends meet, that’s because political and economic elites have deliberately created an economy that is rigged to incentivize low wages and high shareholder returns – not because some other poor people are getting nutritional assistance for themselves or their children.’

Murphy goes on to blame ‘neoliberal economic policies’ for creating a life that feels ’empty and devoid of meaning,’ while defending ‘gender equality’ and ‘continued immigration’as positive goods that are ‘nothing to fear.’ And he urges Democrats not to mock Anthony but rather to consider how they might reach the ‘white, conservative working-class men’ who resonate with his song. 

‘The question then becomes: should Anthony’s misplaced blame be a reason to ridicule and dismiss him and his song’s enthusiasts outright, a route eagerly taken by many of his critics?’ Murphy asks of the left. ‘Why not instead view the reaction to his song as an opportunity to engage with his followers on the song’s critique of modern life and force a real conversation about whether it is the politics of the right or the left that are the best antidote to the social ills that Anthony laments (and through his own scapegoating, exposes)? Why not see the reaction to his song as a chance not to simply deepen the existing trenches between right and left, but instead engage in a conversion exercise in order to grow our coalition?’

Anthony, speaking for himself in an emotional video on Friday, rejected Republicans and conservative media who have tried to ‘act like we’re buddies’ and criticized the left for mischaracterizing his message.

‘The one thing that has bothered me is seeing people wrap politics up into this,’ he said in the 10-minute video. ‘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, like that we’re trying to present the same message.’ 

He said it was funny that his song was featured at Wednesday night’s Republican presidential debate on Fox News when moderator Martha MacCallum asked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis why ‘Rich Men’ was resonating so strongly with people. 

‘It was funny seeing my song in the presidential debate, because I wrote that song about those people, so for them to have to sit there and listen to that, that cracks me up,’ he said, laughing. ‘It was funny kind of seeing the response to it, like that song has nothing to do with Joe Biden, you know? It’s a lot bigger than Joe Biden. That song is written about the people on that stage and a lot more too, not just them.’

Anthony said the left had also mischaracterized some of his lyrics as an attack on the poor, pointing to some of his other music that showed he defends those in poverty. Some liberal sites took exception to his line about welfare and paying for overweight people’s ‘fudge rounds,’ interpreting it as punching down. ABC News said that critics heard ‘racially tinged dog whistles’ in parts of the song.

‘It references the inefficiencies of the government because of the politicians within it that are engulfed in bribes and extortion,’ Anthony said. ‘If we can fuel a proxy war in a foreign land, but we can’t take care of our own, that’s all the song’s trying to say.’

‘This isn’t a Republican and Democrat thing,’ he added. ‘This isn’t even a United States thing. This has been a global response, and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. It’s my belief that divine intervention has put me in this position and this point in time to get a message across, and that’s all there is to it. I’m nobody special.’

Fox News’ David Rutz contributed to this report. 

Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Trump believes SCOTUS will ‘intervene’ in state ballots case, ‘will not take the vote away from the people’
  • Trump lawyer calls for Special Counsel Jack Smith to be investigated, says charges are all ‘theatrics’
  • Polling guru Nate Silver offers ‘struggling’ Biden advice as polls with Trump tighten
  • What Trump’s narrow edge over Biden could mean for campaign after president ends re-election bid
Share
1
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Trump co-defendant, head of Black Voices for Trump denied bail and will remain in prison
next post
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel wins praise for steering GOP through combustible 2024 presidential primary

You may also like

US sending another $2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine

January 20, 2023

Supreme Court chief justice report urges caution on use of...

January 2, 2024

Comer warns Bragg he must testify after stumbling into his...

March 27, 2023

Georgia Capitol beefs up security in anticipation of possible Trump...

August 15, 2023

Amid growing criticism of Biden foreign policy, experts credit wins...

February 6, 2024

Harris to name VP by next week, kick off battleground...

July 30, 2024

WATCH: New conservative tech company inspired by swing state election...

January 14, 2024

Report on Clarence Thomas’ travel habits is ‘politics plain and...

April 10, 2023

Your bank wants your voice. Just say no.

July 23, 2024

Trump-backed Majewski launches 2nd bid against longtime Ohio House Democrat...

April 13, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Oil prices rise more than 1% as Israel vows to intensify attacks on Iran

      June 20, 2025
    • RRG Alert Tech Vaults to ‘Leading’—Is XLK Signaling a New Rally?

      June 20, 2025
    • Apple looking to make ‘premium’-priced folding iPhones starting next year, analyst says

      June 20, 2025
    • Nike pushes back Skims launch with Kim Kardashian due to production delays

      June 19, 2025
    • The Fed Is Getting It Wrong AGAIN As They Hold Rates Steady

      June 19, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 3,599 views
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,875 views
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,578 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,541 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,417 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,142)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,621)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Oil prices rise more than 1% as Israel vows to...

      June 20, 2025
    • RRG Alert Tech Vaults to ‘Leading’—Is XLK Signaling a New...

      June 20, 2025
    • Apple looking to make ‘premium’-priced folding iPhones starting next year,...

      June 20, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,142)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,621)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Israel strikes site in Iran in...

    April 19, 2024

    Trump warns that if he loses...

    April 20, 2024

    Kirby unsure of ‘dollar figure’ of...

    January 27, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here