The tale behind the viral ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ artist will touch your soul deeply.
Believing in the Mysterious Ways of God
For those who have faith in the mysterious workings of God, there is reason to rejoice.
Last week, a song called “Rich Men North of Richmond” took the internet by storm, propelling little-known country singer Oliver Anthony to overnight fame. In just a few days, the video for the now-viral hit amassed over 10 million views on YouTube.
As Anthony’s newfound fans delved deeper into his story, they discovered that his remarkable success coincided with a spiritual awakening.
The emotionally charged song, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” resonates with listeners as a protest anthem for the struggling working class. Inspired by his own experiences as a factory worker, Anthony pours his heart into the lyrics.
“I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day
Overtime hours for bull**** pay
So I can sit out here and waste my life away
Drag back home and drown my troubles away”
Unlike many country songs that express resignation, “Rich Men North of Richmond” builds to a crescendo of defiance. Anthony points fingers at the rich and powerful, blaming them for the world’s problems.
“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”
Anthony doesn’t stop at political commentary; he also addresses the nation’s mental health crisis with raw outrage.
“Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the ground
‘Cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin’ them down”
Anthony’s ability to tackle such weighty themes in a three-minute song has struck a chord with millions of people.
His personal story adds another layer of fascination to his music. Entrepreneur and fatherhood advocate Jason Howerton recently interviewed Anthony, sharing parts of his journey on social media.
“This song is called ‘Rich Men North of Richmond.’ It has been viewed MILLIONS of times. The artist’s name is Oliver Anthony. I just got off the phone with him. With his permission, I’d like to share the story he told me that moved the deepest parts of my soul…”
According to Howerton, Anthony’s story is one of struggle, redemption, and a newfound faith in God. In the past, Anthony battled mental health issues and turned to alcohol for solace. But one night, in the depths of despair, he made a promise to God: if God helped him follow his dream, he would get sober.
“In the past, Oliver was struggling with mental health & coping with alcohol. In depths of despair, just about a month ago, Oliver got to his knees & broke down in tears. Though he wasn’t a religious man, that night he promised God to get sober if he helped him follow his dream”
And God answered Anthony’s prayer. Just 30 days sober, he was asked to record a song for a YouTube channel. That song turned out to be “Rich Men North of Richmond,” and within days, it went viral.
“Oliver was about 30 days sober when someone reached out & asked him to come record a song for his YouTube channel. That song was ‘Rich Men North of Richmond.’ Within days, the song was going VIRAL on social media.”
Howerton, deeply moved by Anthony’s story, shared his own emotional reaction. Country star John Rich was also touched and offered to produce Anthony’s record.
“As Oliver told me this story, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Goosebumps covered my body. Here is a man who broke down & surrendered everything to God & within 30 days, he became an overnight sensation with an offer from @johnrich to produce his record.”
But perhaps the most powerful testament to God’s work in Anthony’s life is a video he posted on YouTube. In the video, Anthony shares his journey and the inspiration behind “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
Sitting alone in his car, Anthony reflects on his past struggles and how writing and singing gave him purpose. He explains that the song is a critique of politicians and the exploitation of children, driven by his desire for change.
Anthony concludes the video with a heartfelt testimony, acknowledging his previous skepticism towards God and his newfound understanding of divine love.
“But there is a divine Creator that loves you. And sometimes it takes falling down on your knees and getting ready to call things quits before it becomes obvious that He’s there. But He’s always there. You just gotta look out for Him, and listen for Him.”
Indeed, God works in mysterious ways.
Read the full story here.
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