'Rich Men North of Richmond' singer says song is about politicians at first GOP primary debate

"Rich Men North of Richmond" singer Oliver Anthony said that his song was applicable to the GOP candidates onstage during the first Republican presidential primary, after the song was played there before the first question was asked.

“It was funny seeing my song, it was funny seeing it in the presidential debate. ‘Cuz it’s like, I wrote that song about those people, you know," Anthony said in a video. "For them to have to sit there and listen to that, that cracks me up."

Earlier this month, Anthony filmed himself on his Virginia farmland with a guitar playing his "Rich Men North of Richmond" song, which has been viewed over 40 million times on YouTube as of press time.

The song has been described as a "blue collar anthem" as it discusses greed of politicians in Washington, D.C., high taxation, and despair. 

Anthony said in the video that he hated how the song has become politicized. 

“But it was funny kind of seeing the response to it, like that song has nothing to do with Joe Biden. It’s a lot bigger than Joe Biden. That song is written about the people on that stage, and a lot more, too, than just them. But definitely them," he said, referring to the GOP presidential candidates. 

“The one thing that has bothered me is seeing people wrap politics up into this,” he added. “I’m disappointed to see, like, it’s aggravating seeing people on conservative news try to identify with me like I’m one of them. It’s aggravating seeing certain musicians and politicians acting like we’re buddies and act like we’re fighting the same struggle here, like we’re trying to present the same message.”

He promised to continue to make music that was authentic and will hopefully resonate with everyday people.