In 2023, Oliver Anthony released “Rich Men North of Richmond,” a country song that tackles life in working-class America, calling out unfair pay, corrupt politics, and government overreach. Anthony sings about frustration, economic hardship, and a growing sense of betrayal from those in power.
Below you’ll find a section-by-section breakdown of the lyrics in “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
- Song: Rich Men North of Richmond
- Artist: Oliver Anthony
- Songwriter: Oliver Anthony
- Released: 2023
- Genre: Country
“Rich Men North of Richmond” Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: Long Hours, No Reward
I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day
Overtime hours for bullshit pay
“Sellin’ my soul” suggests sacrificing personal time, values, or even health just to keep a job.
The phrase “bullshit pay” is blunt and shows resentment for wages that don’t reflect the effort being put in.
This is the voice of someone who feels stuck in a rigged system.
So I can sit out here and waste my life away
Drag back home and drown my troubles away
After long hours of underpaid work, there’s nothing left but burnout.
“Waste my life away” points to a sense of hopelessness in daily life, while “drown my troubles” shows an attempt to escape that feeling through alcohol.
It’s the routine of someone worn down and trapped with no clear way out.
Pre-Chorus: Shared Struggle
It’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to
For people like me and people like you
This is a moment of shared anger. It speaks for millions of working people who feel left behind.
The lines point to a bigger issue, where ordinary people feel abandoned in a system that seems designed to fail them.
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is
There’s a desire to believe things will get better, but reality keeps proving otherwise.
It’s almost a prayer, but one that ends in disappointment.
Chorus: Power and Control
Livin’ in the new world
With an old soul
“New world” points to a society that’s shifting fast and feels unfamiliar or unfair.
“Old soul” describes someone who still lives by traditional values like hard work, faith, and honesty.
Those values no longer seem to fit the way the world is moving.
These rich men north of Richmond
Lord knows they all just wanna have total control
“Rich men north of Richmond” refers to Washington, D.C., a stand-in for politicians and elites.
He accuses them of wanting total control, not just of money or laws, but of people’s lives.
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do
The powerful want to watch what people think and do, thinking most won’t notice.
People are paying attention and aren’t falling for it.
‘Cause your dollar ain’t shit and it’s taxed to no end
‘Cause of rich men north of Richmond
Inflation and high taxes hit people hard. The value of money keeps dropping while taxes keep rising.
He’s saying that those in power squeeze working people from every direction, making life even tougher.
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Verse 2: Corruption and Collapse
I wish politicians would look out for miners
And not just minors on an island somewhere
He compares coal miners who work hard and face danger to underage victims connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island.
He’s saying that politicians seem to care more about protecting the powerful involved in abuse than supporting everyday workers.
Lord, we got folks in the street, ain’t got nothin’ to eat
And the obese milkin’ welfare
He points out that while many suffer from hunger and homelessness, others take advantage of welfare programs.
The system fails to protect those who need help most.
Well, God, if you’re five-foot-three and you’re three hundred pounds
Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of Fudge Rounds
He continues to criticize how some people use welfare in ways it wasn’t meant for.
That misuse frustrates those who depend on the system the right way.
Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the ground
‘Cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin’ them down
He’s calling attention to the heartbreaking reality of young men dying by suicide.
Instead of finding support or hope, many feel pushed further down by the very country that should protect them.
“Rich Men North of Richmond” Song Meaning: A Country Pushed Too Far
“Rich Men North of Richmond” is filled with anger, frustration, and sadness, but it’s not aimless. It points to a profound sense of being overlooked, exploited, and disregarded by a system that benefits only a select few. From low wages to corrupt politics, from broken welfare to rising suicide, Oliver Anthony lists what feels like a country falling apart.
The heart of the song is this: people are tired. They’ve worked, paid taxes, followed rules, and still end up broke, broken, or dead. Something has to change before things get even worse.
Songs Like “Rich Men North of Richmond”
Here are more songs that deal with frustration, inequality, or the feeling of being pushed to the edge:
1. “A Country Boy Can Survive” by Hank Williams Jr.
“A Country Boy Can Survive” is about resilience and pride in rural life, but it also lashes out at city elites and government control. It carries a similar don’t-tread-on-me attitude.
2. “Ain’t No Reason” by Brett Dennen
“Ain’t No Reason” looks at inequality, homelessness, and the unseen struggles of everyday people. It’s less aggressive but just as serious in its message.
3. “Working Class Hero” by John Lennon
“Working Class Hero” strips down the journey of being born into a broken system and never really having a way out. It’s raw and cynical, aimed squarely at those in control.
Related: Best Songs Relating to Work
4. “Take This Job and Shove It” by Johnny Paycheck
“Take This Job and Shove It” is an angry goodbye to a dead-end job. It captures the same kind of rage at being underpaid and unappreciated.
5. “What It’s Like” by Everlast
“What It’s Like” tells stories of poverty, addiction, and judgment. It forces the listener to see how easy it is to end up on the street or worse—and how little help there is.
Conclusion: A Cry from the Ground Up
“Rich Men North of Richmond” calls out the people and systems causing real suffering in the United States. It speaks for those who feel ignored, lied to, and left behind. Anthony highlights the harsh reality of everyday struggles and warns that ignoring them can lead to more pain, hopelessness, and division.
You can listen to “Rich Men North of Richmond” on Spotify and Amazon.
Check out more 2020s Song Meanings!
