Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond” Becomes Breakout Hit
Country singer-songwriter Oliver Anthony has seen a meteoric rise with his song “Rich Men North of Richmond,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing major artists like Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, and Olivia Rodrigo. Billboard described the achievement as unprecedented, noting that Anthony is the first artist to debut at the top of the chart with no prior chart history.
A self-described farmer from rural Virginia, Anthony released the song on YouTube on August 8. Within days, it had been streamed over 17.5 million times, downloaded 147,000 times, and quickly climbed to the top of Apple’s country chart. By August 23, the video had over 34 million views on the RADIOWV YouTube channel.
The acoustic track, which Anthony performs solo in a wooded setting, has resonated deeply with listeners, particularly among working-class audiences. Its lyrics voice frustration with low wages and government overreach: “I’ve been selling my soul, working all day, overtime hours for bullshit pay.” The song’s title references Richmond, Virginia, and by extension, the political elite in nearby Washington, D.C.
Some of the lyrics, however, have sparked debate. While criticizing the powerful, Anthony also targets recipients of government aid: “The obese milkin’ welfare… Taxes ought not to pay, for your bags of fudge rounds.” This has led to varied interpretations of the song’s message across the political spectrum.
Despite the political undertones, Anthony has described his views as “pretty dead center.” In a recent concert, he said, “We got to go back to the roots of what made this country great in the first place.”
The singer, whose real name is Christopher Anthony Lunsford, adopted his stage name from his grandfather. He lives in Farmville, Virginia, with his dogs and plans to build a small livestock farm. Writing music since 2021, Anthony gained popularity organically—without a label, agent, or studio backing.
He has declined multimillion-dollar record deals, stating on Facebook, “I don’t want to be in the spotlight… I wrote the music because I was suffering with mental health and depression. These songs have connected with millions because they’re real—no editing, no bullshit.”
Anthony’s rise has drawn both praise and criticism. Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called the song one “that Washington DC needs to hear,” while Democratic Senator Chris Murphy urged progressives to pay attention to its themes of economic frustration and disenfranchisement.
British musician Billy Bragg even released a response song titled “Rich Men Earning North of a Million,” advocating for solidarity and suggesting joining a union rather than blaming those on welfare. Bragg said he was inspired by the late American folk singer Woody Guthrie and felt compelled to offer an alternative message.
Though Anthony’s future in the music industry remains uncertain, his impact is undeniable—giving voice to millions through raw, personal songwriting at a time of widespread political and economic tension.
