Rich Men North of Richmond: Currituck County, a rural area in northeastern North Carolina, is not usually a place that attracts much attention. But that changed recently when a singer-songwriter named Oliver Anthony released a song called Rich Men North of Richmond, which became a viral sensation on YouTube and other platforms.
The song, which appears to take aim at politicians and corruption in Washington, D.C., has resonated with millions of listeners across the country and beyond. Anthony, who hails from Farmville, Virginia, decided to perform a free show at the Eagle Creek Golf Club in Moyock, N.C., on Saturday, August 19, 2023, to thank his fans and celebrate his success. The show drew thousands of people from near and far, creating a traffic jam and a festive atmosphere in Currituck.
What is Rich Men North of Richmond about?
Rich Men North of Richmond is a catchy country-rock song that features Anthony’s raspy voice and witty lyrics. The chorus goes like this:
There’s rich men north of Richmond
They don’t care about you and me
They’re living in their mansions
While we’re struggling to make ends meet
They’re making all the decisions
They don’t listen to what we say
They’re rich men north of Richmond
And they’re taking our rights away
The song does not mention any specific names or parties, but it implies that the rich men north of Richmond are the politicians and lobbyists who work in Washington, D.C., which is located about 100 miles north of Richmond, Virginia. The song criticizes them for being out of touch with the common people, for being corrupt and greedy, and for undermining democracy and freedom. The song also expresses a sense of frustration and anger at the state of affairs in the country, as well as a desire for change and justice.
How did Rich Men North of Richmond become viral?
Anthony released Rich Men North of Richmond on YouTube on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. The song quickly gained traction online, as people shared it on social media and commented on its message. Within a week, the song had over 24 million views and over 302,000 likes on YouTube. It also topped the iTunes charts, beating out popular artists like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. It also reached no. 41 on Spotify, making it one of the most streamed songs in the world. Anthony also received media attention from various outlets, such as CNN, Fox News, NPR, and The Guardian, who interviewed him about his song and his background.
Anthony said that he wrote the song after witnessing the events of January 6, 2021, when a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. He said that he was appalled by what he saw and felt compelled to express his feelings through music. He also said that he did not expect his song to become so popular, but that he was grateful for the opportunity to share his voice with a wider audience.
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How did Currituck react to Rich Men North of Richmond?
Currituck County, which has a population of about 28,000 people, was surprised and delighted by Anthony’s decision to perform a free show in Moyock, one of its towns. Anthony announced the show on his Instagram account on Thursday, August 17, 2023, saying that he wanted to give back to his fans and to show his appreciation for Currituck County, which he described as “a beautiful place with beautiful people”. He also said that he chose Moyock because it was close to his hometown of Farmville.
The show was originally planned to take place at the waterfront venue at Currituck Trading Post in Maple, but it was moved to the Eagle Creek Golf Club to accommodate a larger crowd. The golf club said in a Facebook post that Anthony would be performing from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The announcement sparked excitement among locals and visitors alike, who flocked to Moyock on Saturday to see Anthony live.
According to local reports, thousands of people attended the show, creating a huge traffic jam on Highway 168. Some people even camped overnight or arrived early in the morning to secure a spot near the stage. The show was also broadcast live on local radio stations.
The crowd cheered and sang along with Anthony as he played Rich Men North of Richmond and other songs from his album Ain’t Gotta Dollar, which also became a hit on iTunes. Anthony thanked the crowd for their support and said that he was overwhelmed by the response to his music. He also said that he hoped that his song would inspire people to stand up for their rights.
