Oliver Anthony blasts his song’s role in GOP debate: ‘That song is written about the people on that stage’

Oliver Anthony, the man behind this week’s fast-rising, chart-topping hit “Rich Men North of Richmond,” released the second installment of his “It’s a pleasure to meet you” videos, this time talking about the way his song has been co-opted by conservatives and weaponized politically. On Wednesday, when eight Republican presidential candidates faced off at the first primary debate, the question that kicked off the night was, “Why is striking such a nerve in this country right now?” In the 10-minute YouTube address, the Virginia songwriter said he hasn’t liked watching “people wrap politics up in this,” and that he’s disappointed and aggravated that the conservative media have tried to identify with him, “like I’m one of them.” In Anthony’s first “It’s a pleasure to meet you” videos, he described himself as in the middle, politically. “It was funny seeing it in the presidential debate, because it’s like, I wrote that song about those people,” he said. This isn’t a Republican and Democrat thing.” Two weeks ago Anthony posted a lengthy Facebook post that he declined an $8-million offer, much to the shock from the industry.