Oliver Anthony Clarifies Politics in Teary-Eyed Video, Addresses GOP Debate Question: ‘Rich Men’ Is ‘Written About the People on That Stage’

variety.com:

Ethan Shanfeld Oliver Anthony, the country-folk singer behind this year’s most surprising No. 1 hit “Rich Men North of Richmond,” delivered a message to fans in a teary-eyed, 10-minute video posted to YouTube.

In the video, Anthony addressed his viral song’s mention at Wednesday’s GOP debate. Moderator Martha MacCallum opened the debate by asking Florida Gov.

Ron DeSantis why he thinks the message of “Rich Men North of Richmond” is striking a chord with Americans. (DeSantis responded by bashing “Bidenomics” and referencing Congress: “Those rich men north of Richmond have put us in this situation.”) “It’s aggravating seeing people on conservative news try to identify with me, like I’m one of them,” Anthony said. “It’s aggravating seeing certain musicians and politicians act like we’re buddies and act like we’re fighting the same struggle, like we’re trying to present the same message.” He continued, “It was funny seeing my song at the presidential debate, because I wrote that song about those people, you know.

So for them to have to sit there and listen to that, that cracks me up,” Anthony said. “It was funny seeing the response to it.