Country music sensation Oliver Anthony has released a new song titled “I Want To Go Home,” which ends with a verse from the Bible, and despite missing a record deal, it continues to be a smash hit.
The singer recently made history when he became the first debut artist to hit No. 1 on the Billboard chart with his country anthem “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
His overnight success was sparked by the worker’s ballad in which he railed against “overtime for bad pay” and criticized bright politicians for only caring about “minors on an island somewhere”.
On Tuesday he released another track that has already been listened to 1.4 million times on Spotify.
Anthony, who releases his music without the help of a record label, makes an estimated $40,000 a day after turning down offers of up to $8 million.
Country sensation Oliver Anthony has released a new song titled “I Want To Go Home,” which ends with a verse from the Bible
The singer recently made history when he became the first debut artist to hit No. 1 on the Billboard chart with his country anthem “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
The artist’s latest song addresses religion, war, the sale of family farms and the loss of green space – all issues that have grabbed headlines and political debate in recent months.
“Every day that I live in this new world is a day too much for me,” sings Anthony.
“Son, we’re on the brink of the next world war and I don’t think nobody’s praying anymore.”
“And I’m not saying I know for sure, I’m just on my knees begging the Lord to take me home.’ I want to go home.’
He adds: “Seven generations farm the land, the grandson sells it to a man from out of town.”
“Two weeks later the trees fall down, only concrete grows.”
The singer closes the music video of his latest song with the verse Mark 8:36 from the Bible.
It says: “What is the use of a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?”
He previously struggled with depression and alcohol abuse, but said he recently found his way into religion.
“Just like those who once wandered in the wilderness, we have lost the way of God and have been distracted and divided by false idols,” he wrote on Facebook last week.
The artist’s latest song addresses religion, war, the sale of family businesses and the loss of green space
The singer closes the music video of his latest song with the verse Mark 8:36 from the Bible
The Farmville, Virginia factory worker defeated the Beatles and Elvis after his original song attacking politicians garnered 17.5 million streams and 147,000 downloads after its release.
His success has piqued the interest of industry insiders, including country producer John Rich and rapper Gucci Mane, but Anthony claimed he turned down record deals worth up to $8 million.
“People in the music industry just stare at me blankly when I turn down $8 million offers,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
“I don’t want six tour buses, 15 semi-trucks and a jet.” I don’t want to play stadium shows, I don’t want to be in the spotlight.
“I wrote the music I wrote because I was suffering from mental health issues and depression.
‘No editing, no agent, no bullshit.’ Just some idiot and his guitar.’
Anthony’s country anthem topped performances by Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift
Oliver Anthony had a lot to smile about at his free concert in North Carolina over the weekend
He could be a rich man south of Richmond if merch sales pick up
However, according to Hits magazine, the singer makes an estimated $40,000 a day selling and streaming his music.
His song “Rich Men North of Richmond” criticizes high taxes, low wages, child trafficking and welfare for the obese.
“Well, god, if you’re 5’7″ and 300 pounds, your bags of fudge shouldn’t be taxed on you,” he sings.
“Young men bury themselves a meter underground because this damn country just keeps treading on them.”
The song garnered support from conservative influencers, including TV host Laura Ingraham, who credited its “haunting sound and commentary on what has happened to America’s working class” and put the pop charts at the center of the culture wars.