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Al’s Curiosity Corner: What Do Davisites Think of ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ ?

I'm curious what the people of Davisitesville think of this mega-hit's message. 

My reaction, from the lyrics, is this could be a punk song sung by 'Oliver' as a raw country ballad.  Rage!  Stickin' it to the monarchy, the man, the machine.  Anger at what the government is doing to us, against the men in power.  Yet this song is being labeled a 'conservative ballad'.  True, it is catching fire in conservative circles, but I don't see that in the lyrics.  I can easily hear a Johnny Rotten or a Henry Rollins versions of this song.

There's a reference to 'minors on an island'.  That happened.  Davis liberals don't defend pedophiles (do they?). 


There is an anti-tax message, but I know plenty of left-wing people who think their taxes are too high and being wasted (see Arroyo Park).  So what in this song is a 'conservative' message?  Is 'people like me, people like you' a dog whistle?  If so, isn't it a dog whistle to everyone fed up with the system?  I'm sure some will be offended by the references to obese persons on welfare, and Walter Shwe will be offended that the songwriter uses 'swear words'. 

I want to hear why you think these lyrics make this a conservative ballad.  Have at it Davis!

"Rich Men North Of Richmond"

I've been sellin' my soul, workin' all day
Overtime hours for bullshit pay
So I can sit out here and waste my life away
Drag back home and drown my troubles away

It's a damn 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 shit 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 damn country does is keep on kickin' them down

Lord, it's a damn 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 shit 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 bullshit pay

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Alan C. Miller

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Comments

25 responses to “Al’s Curiosity Corner: What Do Davisites Think of ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ ?”

  1. Tuvia et al

    Um…. this person is not very well-educated.

    Reply
  2. Alan C. Miller

    TE say: “Um…. this person is not very well-educated.”
    I don’t understand your comment. Who isn’t well educated? Me or Oliver Anthony? I was educated at UC Davis, so I guess you mean me.
    Some of the wisest people I know are the least formally educated. Some of the stupidest people I know are “well” educated. What would even make you say that? It sounds like it’s meant as a pejorative. Considering progressives are often criticizing people for being ‘privileged’, what could be more hoity-toity privileged than putting someone down for not being ‘well’ educated in the privileged, college-path way?
    Or did you mean something completely different?

    Reply
  3. Keith

    “Some of the wisest people I know are the least formally educated. Some of the stupidest people I know are “well” educated.”
    That’s the truth. The worst are the well educated who think they’re so smart but in actuality are as dumb as a stick. There are many that fit this category in Davis.

    Reply
  4. Ron O

    I heard about this guy recently, suddenly famous. Seems that he’s really tapped into something, in the same way that politicians attempt to do.
    32 million views of his song on YouTube within 13 days.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqSA-SY5Hro
    It does cut-across political views, and is more of a “working man” (or woman’s) perspective. Though it probably has a more conservative base.
    These are the people whom Trump in particular is able to attract. Those on the left side of the spectrum simply write them off as “deplorables”, without realizing that they are on the same side regarding many basic issues.

    Reply
  5. South of Davis

    As someone who still knows the words to dozens of late 70’s punk songs (and has an Agent Orange CD in my car CD changer) I find it strange that when I was a kid I was a “left winger” and “rebel” along with Johnny Rotten or a Henry Rollins (who I saw fronting for Black Flag at the Mabuhay Gardens in the early 80’s) since we wanted to “Question Athority” and “Didn’t Trust the Man” (I just listened to the song “Question Athority” by the Circle Jerks on YouTube). I never saw Jonny Rotten or the Sex Pistols live but I read his book “Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs” a few years back. It is crazy how like me Jonny Rotten and Henry Rollins have both been called “conservative” since they STILL dare to “Question Authority” and STILL “Don’t Trust the Man” today nobody on the left will dare “Question Authority” since they “Trust the Science” (and anyone without at least one grad degree is a knuckle dragging moron that must be mocked at all times) and always “Trust the Man” aka “The Big Guy” (who like Senator Feinstein is not at all senile)…

    Reply
  6. Ron O

    “Trust the science” . . .
    (I used to think that applied to biological sex, but I’ve since been told otherwise.)

    Reply
  7. Keith

    “(I used to think that applied to biological sex, but I’ve since been told otherwise.)”
    Ron, can you use the term “biological sex”? Hasn’t it been banned by the state of California and the Davis Vanguard?

    Reply
  8. Ron O

    Keith: So far, only in public libraries, apparently.
    Or maybe in schools by now as well? (If not, perhaps the newest school board member will get on that.)

    Reply
  9. Alan C. Miller

    Hey K&R, I don’t mean to say this in a VanMod way — i.e., I have no problem with this being discussed and I won’t delete your comments, but I do want to keep this discussion on the Rich Men North of Richmond song, and it’s drifting into a discussion about the library bomb threat. I’d appreciate if that move to the Vanguard discussion, or if they are censhoring comments, post on Al’ Corner, or hopefully an article on the topic may appear in the Davisite as well.
    Meanwhile, I seriously would like to hear from people about what in the lyrics makes this a ‘conservative anthem’. Not to tear you down (unless you are WS), but to discuss. I truly don’t get it. I seriously post this in a progressive/liberal town and no one has the courage to step up and explain this? I don’t believe it.

    Reply
  10. Ron O

    In any case, I strongly suspect that most of the people whom the song (referenced in this article) appeals to would have no trouble telling you what a biological “male” or “female” is, nor would they object to such terminology.
    “Fans of science” – or what we used to call science at least.
    Maybe it’s an issue like that “new math” we used to hear about.

    Reply
  11. South of Davis

    Davis made the news statewide about how in the local library you have to “follow the science” (unless the science is Biology that you don’t have to follow since it is “anti-trans”). A friend (from out of town that graduated from UCD in the 80’s) sent me the link below that came up as he was searching for another article to see “what side” took credit for calling in the bomb threat to the library yesterday. https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/gendercareteam
    College sure will be expensive in a few more years when most school have more diversity, inclusion and gender transition employees than actual professors…
    P.S. To Allen “Davis liberals” will always “defend pedophiles” as long as they have a D next to their name (just like most partisan conservatives will defend them if they have a R next to their name like this guy that rose to become the “speaker of the house”
    https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/dennis_hastert_sentenced
    The people with big money that support politicians want people that will vote the way they want them to vote at all times and since having videos of them with young boys or girls increases the chance that they will vote the way you want them to vote an increasing number of politicians (on both sides of the asile) are pedophiles…

    Reply
  12. Alan C. Miller

    #sigh# No one listens to me.

    Reply
  13. Roberta L. Millstein

    Alan, since you seem to genuinely want an answer (I wasn’t sure), I will take a crack at it.
    What most leaps out at me is the carping about being on welfare. The “obese,” I take it, is meant to imply that the person is lazy and eating more than they should on other people’s dime. [I don’t agree with this, but some people do]. Carping about lazy people being on welfare is more commonly associated with conservatives, especially if they feel that others are getting (literally or metaphorically) fat while “sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day, Overtime hours for bullshit pay.”
    “Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the ground.” It is more common for conservatives to think that we are leaving young men behind while being excessively concerned about women (and other minorities).
    “These rich men north of Richmond.” I assume that means politicians in Washington, DC. Although both sides complain about the government, I think that’s more common among conservatives.
    Then, yes, “For people like me and people like you.” The focus on one’s own group is more common among conservatives. Compare liberals, who say they are interested in diverse peoples.
    “Minors on an island” — Is that an Epstein reference? Do some (conservatives?) really think that we should be more concerned with miners than sexual assault of minors? I can’t answer that one, but I hope not.
    So, not any one of those things per se, but all of those things together, do seem to me to make this a “conservative ballad.” To be clear, though, I have zero interest in discussing this song, critiquing this song, etc. (so anyone who tries to engage me on that — I won’t be responding). I am only answering because you seemed to genuinely want to know. Caveat: I am just going on my own perception — I haven’t read anything about this and it’s the first I’m hearing of this song, though there was that earlier one about not trying this in a small town, or whatever.

    Reply
  14. Ron O

    I agree with Roberta, regarding the first thing that “jumps out”.
    Once you say something like that, it doesn’t matter what else is said. That’s essentially a taboo comment, for anyone identifying as a liberal/progressive.
    For some people, that comment might also be perceived to have racial overtones – which is especially taboo.
    The only thing I might disagree with regarding Roberta’s comment is the “people like me” conclusion, in regard to her conclusion regarding both liberals and conservatives.
    But I actually think the issue regarding what occurred at the library also encapsulates the differences, for the most part. Again, most of the people who are big fans of that song aren’t going to take the side of the library, in that case.
    They are not (for lack of a better word) “woke”.
    There’s also a blue/collar vs. white collar “conflict” alluded to in the song, perhaps partly encapsulated in the “six feet in the ground” lyrics. These are not fans of student debt relief, as they themselves did not put themselves into debt. They would view college itself as part of the problem, at least in terms of how ubiquitous a college education is these days.
    It is true that males in general are under-represented in college, these days – something that’s rarely discussed. Fans of this song are not advocating for more college attendance, but perceive that they’re being required to pay for others who do. Same issue with the 300-pound person on welfare.
    (Again, just generalizations, and just what I perceive as likely.)

    Reply
  15. Keith

    Don’t look now but “Rich Men North Of Richmond” is the number song on the billboards today.
    “Oliver Anthony Music’s breakout viral hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. Among other chart achievements for the singer-songwriter, he’s the first artist ever to launch atop the list with no prior chart history in any form.”

    Reply
  16. R Keller

    The biggest thing that stood out to me in a jumble of mostly vague gripes was the specificity of the complaint about “the obese milkin’ welfare” and eating “fudge rounds”. That harkens back to Reagan’s tropes about “welfare queens” and subsequent decades of misplaced anxiety that has usually has racial overtones.
    If we’re talking punk, the Circle Jerks’ “When The Shit Hits the Fan” is a superior anthem of the underclass. At least the lines are sardonic and funny:
    “10 kids in a cadillac
    stand in line for welfare checks
    let’s all leach off the state
    gee! the money is really great!”
    And later, we’re all waiting in line for 5 lb. blocks of cheese, and social security is running out. It’s inclusive.

    Reply
  17. South of Davis

    The song is a “jumble of mostly vague gripes” just like the radio and TV news every day is “jumble of mostly vague lies that more and more people (of all races, religions and political parties) are calling BS on” since they see with their own eyes that most people on welfare (like most college students today) are fat and eat like crap (and people that didn’t wear masks didn’t die). I just read that LESS than one in ten residents of CA under 18 are “white males” (UC Berkeley has had less than 10% white male undergrads for almost a decade now) and more and more guys (of all races, religions and political parties) are getting tired of every problem getting blamed on “racisim” and “white males” (most women still seem to enjoy blaming every problem in their lives including weight gain related to eating fudge rounds on white males)…

    Reply
  18. Ron O

    Where can one get these “fudge rounds”?
    I’m getting hungry.
    “Yo, Ding Dongs, man, Ding Dongs”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2mU6USTBRE

    Reply
  19. Roberta L. Millstein

    South of Davis, you have proved the point well.

    Reply
  20. R Keller

    South of Davis said: “since they see with their own eyes that most people on welfare (like most college students today) are fat and eat like crap (and people that didn’t wear masks didn’t die)”
    You are projecting your very faulty and distorted vision onto other people.

    Reply
  21. Alan C. Miller

    My understanding is the reference is to “Little Debbie’s Fudge Rounds” which are two fudge cookies held together in a ‘sandwich’ by butterfudge cream. Or something like that.

    Reply
  22. South of Davis

    The CDC said 73.6% of American adults were overweight or obese in 2017-18 (and I’m guessing that post Covid lockdown the number is even higher today). It is rare that I see even a single man, woman or child over 12 that is not heavier than me when I go to the Woodland Walmart).
    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesity-overweight.htm
    It is a free country and I don’t want to tell anyone what to eat, but homemade chocolate chip cookies are a lot more healthy than these things.
    https://www.littledebbie.com/www/snackproducts/view/44/fudge-rounds
    Enriched Bleached Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid), Corn Syrup, Sugar, Dextrose, Palm and Soybean Oils with TBHQ and Citric Acid to Protect Flavor, Water, Cocoa.

    Reply
  23. Ron O

    . . .when I go to the Woodland Walmart
    That was your main mistake.

    Reply
  24. R Keller

    Billy Bragg didn’t take too long to respond:
    “In introducing the song, the English folk artist explained that, “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.”
    “No matter if you live in the city or some little country town/
    rich man earning north of a million want to keep the working folk down.”
    https://consequence.net/2023/08/billy-bragg-oliver-anthony-rich-men-earning-north-of-a-million/
    If you just want to go directly to his new song:
    https://youtu.be/qGNFR7pgxDY?si=f15PX4uQX5VWr_NV

    Reply
  25. Ron O

    ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ songwriter says it’s no conservative anthem
    “It’s aggravating seeing people on conservative news trying to identify with me like I’m one of them,” Anthony said.
    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/rich-men-north-of-richmond-songwriter-says-it-s-no-conservative-anthem/ar-AA1fMRcy?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=e86ea11bf309489d8d1c3731863fd8de&ei=13

    Reply

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