Billy Bragg releases pro-unionisation response song to viral country hit Rich Men North of Richmond

[G_j]

https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/21/billy-bragg-releases-response-song-to-oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond

The British songwriter and labour rights advocate took aim at Oliver Anthony’s viral US country hit, urging people to join unions

Laura Snapes
Mon 21 Aug 2023 06.29 EDT

Billy Bragg has released a response song to US country singer Oliver Anthony’s viral hit Rich Men North of Richmond.
The Virginian’s song, which purports to be about workers’ rights, has clocked up nearly 30m views in 12 days after supposedly being discovered and promoted by a local radio station. It has found favour amid conservative politicians and commentators, who have wielded it as a cudgel in the culture wars.


Critics, meanwhile, have noted its individualist streak: Anthony perpetuates the myth of welfare scroungers, questions why his taxes should pay for healthcare issues related to obesity, amplifies conspiracy theories about paedophiles (“I wish politicians would look out for miners / And not just minors on an island somewhere”) and suggests that the US “kickin’” down “young men” is responsible for a suicide epidemic.

Anthony has since stated: “I sit pretty dead centre on politics” and declined requests for interviews.

Bragg titled his response song Rich Men Earning North of a Million. In a video introduction, the British songwriter and labour rights advocate said: “Since I saw that clip of Oliver Anthony singing his song Rich Men North of Richmond, the ghost of Woody Guthrie has been whispering in my ear. ‘Help that guy out,’ Woody keeps telling me. ‘Let him know there’s a way to deal with those problems he’s singing about.’ So today I sat down and wrote this response to Mr Anthony’s song, for people like him and people like you.”

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