Remember Oliver Anthony? Of course you do. The man who burst onto the scene with one of the most incredible songs we’d heard in a long time, “Rich Men North of Richmond”. Anthony famously turned down all big record label deals because he wanted to pave his own way and stay free of the bonds and corruption a big music deal would bring. Smart man. And now he’s proving he’s not just a “One Hit Wonder” or even a “One Record Wonder” because he’s back with all new music and a pretty incredible first new single. You can watch/listen here: LYRICS: Well she got aside tour I want torun from. She’ll turn a warm afternooninto a cold, cold one. Well he grabbed the apple and Adamtook a bite — and now all these yearslater and the mess still hangswith a scorn for… [Music]Woman storm. [Music] For I used to sleepso good, didn’t have anightmare. I was busy dreaming,believing he’s always going to beright there. And now the middle of theday is like the middle of the night,and the court says50/50 — but the math don’t, ain’t right. With a warning… [Music][Music] But she can have all themoney and they can keep all the fame. [Music] I’d go back to being broke as a jokeif I could just get a break from the pain. [Applause] He was recently back on the Joe Rogan Experience to talk about the new song and new album. It was a really great chat, which you can watch here if you want: CHAPTER GUIDE: [00:00 – 01:30]Opening Banter & Welcome BackJoe greets the guest; quick exchange on returning to the podcast. [01:31 – 04:00]New Song & Raw Recording ProcessDiscussing the authenticity of the new song, analog-style recording, generator-powered studio. [04:01 – 06:30]Post-Richmond Fame & Reluctance to Go MainstreamGuest reflects on not wanting fame, resisting industry pressure. [06:31 – 09:00]Organic Success vs Manufactured Industry MusicConversation on how the public pushed the song up the charts despite not having big label backing. [09:01 – 12:00]Cultural Fragmentation & Group IdentityDiscussion on politics, identity, and people losing their roots in tradition. [12:01 – 15:00]Systemic Corruption & Private PrisonsExploring how crime and systemic failure keep corrupt systems profitable. [15:01 – 17:30]Institutional Racism in AcademiaHarvard lawsuits, discrimination against Asian students, and meritocracy challenges. [17:31 – 20:00]Corruption at All Levels of GovernmentFrom Appalachian towns to large cities, incompetence and corruption in politics. [20:01 – 22:00]First Musical Performance at The Mothership Comedy ClubRon White story and guest’s debut musical set at Joe’s venue. [22:01 – 24:00]Live Music, Charity Work, & The Austin Humane SocietyPlans to release a live album to support local causes. [24:01 – 27:00]Dog Health & Feeding Real FoodSwitching to raw food for pets, rejecting processed kibble. [27:01 – 30:00]Raising Meat Chickens vs. Egg LayersDiscussion on poultry breeds, short meat bird lifespan, and factory farming genetics. [30:01 – 32:00]History of Chicken Genetics & Vatican Food DecreesChicken size evolution, tallow in chips, and religious influence on food trends. [32:01 – 34:00]Catholic Church History & Power StructuresCelibacy, art hoarding, and the Vatican’s legacy of control. [34:01 – 36:30]Moral Authoritarianism: Church Then, Culture NowModern progressivism vs old religious control, both using “moral high ground.” [36:31 – 40:00]AI, Drone Warfare & Godlike TechnologyRise of autonomous weapons, hive-mind AI, warfare evolution. [40:01 – 43:00]Cultural Prophecy & Technological ImageryDrones as prophetic “signs in the sky,” tech displacing humanity. [43:01 – 46:00]Music Industry & AI IntegrationHow AI may already write mainstream songs; pressures on songwriters. [46:01 – 50:00]Digital Society & Communication BreakdownThe dehumanizing nature of online interaction and social media anxiety. [50:01 – 53:00]Podcast Growth, Data Harvesting & Human InputData exploitation and Rogan’s early podcast evolution. [53:01 – 57:00]Preserving Artistic IndependenceMaintaining control over music, rejecting labels, avoiding manipulation. [57:01 – 1:00:00]Helping Other Musicians Thrive IndependentlyPlans to create a platform to launch other independent artists. [1:00:01 – 1:04:00]Podcast Impact & Avoiding Celebrity TrapsRogan’s fame journey, staying grounded, personal identity over popularity. [1:04:01 – 1:08:00]Industry Resistance to Creative ControlBattle with Warner over whitelisting YouTube reactions; music biz dysfunction. [1:08:01 – 1:12:00]Using Social Media Smartly While Avoiding Its PitfallsLeveraging TikTok distribution while retaining independence. [1:12:01 – 1:17:00]Cult-Like Support, Music Without a Label, & Non-Predatory Artist DevelopmentCreating an artist-friendly ecosystem; dreams of a new kind of label. [1:17:01 – 1:22:00]Michael Jackson, Chemical Castration & Music HistoryDiscussing Jackson, castrati singers, and disturbing history behind child performers. [1:22:01 – 1:27:00]Unchecked Power, Founding Fathers, and National IdentityHistorical parallels and how people in power repeat old patterns. [1:27:01 – 1:32:00]Immigration, Borders, and Compassion vs. ChaosEvaluating individuals over ideology; undocumented workers and national identity. [1:32:01 – 1:35:00]Political Identity as Performance & Rearranging StripesZebra camouflage metaphor, political conformity, and media-driven narratives. RELATED: An ANTHEM For Our World — Rich Men North of Richmond An ANTHEM For Our World -- Rich Men North of Richmond I don't know about you, but from the opening line of this song, I was captivated. I hit play and was kind of doing 2-3 different things all at once as I tend to do, and I instantly stopped everything else I was doing to listen to this song. It's real. It's raw. And it's not just a great song -- it's an ANTHEM. I was going to write that it was an Anthem for our Generation, but I had to revise that. It's not just for one generation...this song is resonating with almost everyone! Exactly what this guy said: Just one man, one guitar, a microphone and an INCREDIBLY raw and real voice. You almost wonder how all of that energy and gravitas came out of that one man. Powerful. Dripping with emotion. It puts to music and puts into words what all of us are feeling. I am working to get Oliver on my show for an interview, I would LOVE to talk with him. Hopefully we can make that happen this week. Read the lyrics for "Rich Men North of Richmond" below: [Verse 1] I've been sellin' my soul, workin' all day Overtime hours for bullsh** pay So I can sit out here and waste my life away Drag back home and drown my troubles away [Pre-Chorus] It's a d**n 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 [Chorus] 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 sh** and it's taxed to no end 'Cause of rich men north of Richmond [Verse 2] 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 [Verse 3] 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 d**n country does is keep on kickin' them down [Pre-Chorus] Lord, it's a d**n 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 [Chorus] 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 sh** and it's taxed to no end 'Cause of rich men north of Richmond [Outro] I've been sellin' my soul, workin' all day Overtime hours for bullsh** pay "Rich Men North of Richmond has been uploaded to all major streaming platforms and will show up there in a few days," Oliver Anthony wrote Thursday. "Im still in a state of shock at the outpouring of love I've seen in the comments, messages and emails. I'm working to respond to everyone as quickly as possible." Rich Men North of Richmond has been uploaded to all major streaming platforms and will show up there in a few days. Im still in a state of shock at the outpouring of love I've seen in the comments, messages and emails. I'm working to respond to everyone as quickly as possible. pic.twitter.com/iScaYp9AWQ — Oliver Anthony Music (@AintGottaDollar) August 11, 2023 You've GOT to hear this heart-rending song...a scathing indictment of the DC insiders who trash our dollar, tax us relentlessly, censor our thoughts and speech, and care only for minors on Epstein's island. https://t.co/CZsr4PqCDx — Kelly Tshibaka (@KellyForAlaska) August 12, 2023 The video for "Rich Men North of Richmond," posted to YouTube by radiowv, has nearly eclipsed 4 million views at the time of writing. radiowv writes: When I first came across Oliver Anthony and his music, I was blown away to say the least. He had a whole collection of songs that I could listen to for hours. Oliver resides in Farmville, VA with his 3 dogs and a plot of land he plans on turning into a small farm to raise livestock. We have a whole mess of songs set to release of Oliver for your viewing and listening pleasure, he is truly special and notes his biggest influence as Hank Williams Jr. Oliver wants to give hope to the working class and your average hard working young man who may have lost hope in the grind of trying to get by. Oh, and if you're wondering what the headline lyric means? THESE would be the RICH MEN located North of Richmond: Watch the trending video: Lyrics version: Lyrics Version - Rich Men North Of Richmond @aintgottadollar pic.twitter.com/3EetRgCl2X — Jack Poso (@JackPosobiec) August 11, 2023 In addition to millions of views on YouTube and social media, Oliver Anthony's hit song reached #1 on the US iTunes chart. In fact, Anthony, an unknown rural farmer days ago, has three top-10 songs in the iTunes charts. BREAKING: “Rich Men North Of Richmond” is the NUMBER ONE song in America But wait, there’s more! Oliver Anthony — a rural Farmer unknown just 48 hours ago — has THREE SONGS (!!!) in the Top 10. The most famous musicians on earth often never achieve this. Culture is Power: pic.twitter.com/7mifUMwqys — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 12, 2023 At the time of writing, "Rich Men North of Richmond" remains #1 and "Aint Gotta Dollar sits at #8. "Ive Got to Get Sober" is #11. Here is a Oliver himself recording a video to all his new "fans" after the song went viral. Sounds like a very real and humble guy: