As frequent readers of LI know, I have been obsessed with (Chris) Oliver Anthony’s break-out smash hit “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
Oliver Anthony Music’s breakout viral hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. Among other chart achievements for the singer-songwriter, he’s the first artist ever to launch atop the list with no prior chart history in any form.
In case you missed it:
Well, I’m happy to report that the good guys at Reason have created an excellent response from some of those rich men north of Richmond: federal employees.
And it’s hilarious. And kind of infuriating because it’s all too true.
I’ve been working till the break of 4:45I get an automatic raise and I can’t be firedMust wait to age 57 till I can retireWith an inflation-adjusted pension that somehow keeps going higherOh, it’s a damn shame what the world’s come toThey want us back in the office on Mondays tooWish I could just wake up and it not be trueBut it is, oh it isNot living in the real world is a lot harder than you would knowSure I got dental, but it’s bad, I go mental ‘cuz I had to fill out both of these formsI also see price hikes on necessitiesI had to purchase my rental in Ocean CityPlease don’t tell anyone, it’s so embarrassingThe plight of rich men north of RichmondI just sit here a-wasting my whole life away’Cuz this verification code is taking all dayHow do you expect me to check my 401(k)?Plus, my Fudge Rounds supplier no longer takes Apple PayOh, it’s a damn shame what the world’s come toIt takes one person to do my job, so we have twoWish I could just wake up and it not be trueBut it is, oh it isNot living in the real world is a lot harder than you would knowSure I got health care, but I get an in-depth scare, only weeks left to open enrollThe new guy plays with his pen, he just sits there and snapsHow am I to get in all my 2 p.m. naps?They want us back now on Tuesdays, I just might collapseThe plight of rich men north of RichmondWe’re just like you
There is something very very wrong with “the system,” and Anthony’s heartfelt and heart-wrenching song has hit such a chord with so many people of all races, religions, nationalities, ideologies, and the two genders that hope doesn’t sound quite so naive.
Busting through the fake “identity” divisions we have been flailing under—divisions that are really nothing more than a “look squirrel!” from the powers that be so we don’t notice what they are doing to us—is the first step.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY