Oliver Anthony's song titled "Rich Men North of Richmond," an unexpected country hit that gained rapid online popularity earlier this month, has debuted at the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This accomplishment marks him as the first artist to achieve such a feat without any prior chart history in any capacity.
The track, which Anthony states is his initial recording with professional equipment, circulated widely on the internet, accompanied by a video of the bearded singer from Virginia playing his acoustic guitar amidst a wooded setting. The song garnered 17.5 million streams in the week concluding on August 17th, and a video of Anthony's performance shared by the RadioWV channel accumulated 30 million views within a span of 12 days.
The song has stirred controversy due to its anti-tax stance and for perpetuating the stereotype of the "welfare queen." (In the second verse, he sings, "Lord, we got folks in the street, ain’t got nothin’ to eat / And the obese milkin’ welfare...") It encompasses elements of a traditional folk-country working class anthem ("I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day / Overtime hours for bullshit pay"), conservative viewpoints ("’cause your dollar ain’t shit, and it’s taxed to no end"), and grievances ("young men are putting themselves six feet in the ground / ’cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin’ them down"). Additionally, it delves into conspiracy topics ("I wish politicians would look out for miners / And not just minors on an island somewhere," referencing conspiracy theories surrounding Jeffery Epstein's crimes and death).
Oliver Anthony, legally known as Christopher Anthony Lunsford, becomes the sixth individual in Billboard history to introduce a first solo Hot 100 entry at the number 1 position, joining names like Zayn, Baauer, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, and Clay Aiken. In response to the viral success of "Rich Men North of Richmond," Anthony revealed on Facebook that he was not hasty in pursuing a record deal.
He expressed that the music industry offered substantial contracts, but he preferred a more down-to-earth approach. He wasn't seeking grand tours or excessive spotlight; rather, he wrote his songs as an outlet for his mental health struggles and depression. He highlighted the deep connection millions of listeners felt with his music, attributing it to the authenticity of his performance without excessive editing or industry intervention. He emphasized the importance of returning to the roots of music that should never have been abandoned.
This surge in popularity for "Rich Men North of Richmond" follows the trend of viral attention on Jason Aldean's "Try That in a Small Town," another country song that received criticism for its right-leaning perspective on cultural issues. The song's lyrics took a stance against police protesters and seemingly endorsed gun violence. After facing significant backlash, the music video was quietly altered to remove visuals of Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
In an interview with Billboard, Anthony reflected on his achievement at the top of the Hot 100 chart, expressing that the song resonates with the hopelessness and frustration of current times. He acknowledged that the song itself might not be extraordinary, but the remarkable support it has garnered speaks volumes about the listeners who deserve to have their voices heard.