There is a song that has become a viral sensation, going all the way to the #1 song on Apple iTunes. It’s a song titled “Rich Men North of Richmond,” written and sung by Oliver Anthony. Many have deemed this hit song a cultural anthem for the working class in America.
This song has been watched over 33 million times and was written and sung by a guy who had never been on the charts before.
In the video, Oliver pours out his soul pointing out the major divide between the common man and those in Washington D.C. who are so disconnected with the average person. It’s filmed out in the woods where it’s only Anthony, a microphone, and his Gretsch Resonator guitar. It’s just a working man pouring out his soul in the woods. And I suspect that is part of why this song resonates with so many people. He dares to point out some of the things that are wrong with our current system.
However, I can’t recommend Oliver’s song to anyone. Now before you pick up you guns and pitchforks please hear me out. I have listened to the song. And I share many of his same concerns. And as someone who grew up in Nashville, TN, I actually like his “twangy” sound.
The world is raving about this song. Don’t believe me? Just check out the comments or the reaction videos that have been posted.
But the song doesn’t pass my Christian filter.
It is filled with profanity–and that’s something that as a Christian I do not want in my mind. Not just one or two words–but rather the song is filled with them.
Church we can’t be double-minded and say cuss words are bad when they are in rated R movies that we don’t like but that it’s okay in this song. Or we can’t give Anthony a free pass because he was “just trying to drive his point home.” Whether those words are uttered on a silver screen or in the deep woods of rural Virginia doesn’t matter. They are profane–and not something I want my family listening to (look back over Phil. 4:8).
The definition of profane is to treat something with abuse, irreverence, or contempt. The Bible speaks very clearly about profanity, watching our tongue, and seasoning our words. As a Christian the profanity in this song goes against God’s Word.
Think of it this way–while we may agree with the sentiment of Oliver Anthony, the words he used to communicate the injustice is part of what put Jesus on the cross.
And so dear Christian, I encourage you not to download it to your phone. Don’t sing it in your car. Don’t fill your mind with those words. Think on praiseworthy things!
