Billy Bragg releases Oliver Anthony-inspired single 'Rich Men Earning North Of a Million'

English musician Billy Bragg has shared a new Oliver Anthony-inspired song titled ‘Rich Men Earning North Of a Million’.

The track comes after Anthony, an American country singer and former factory worker, released a number titled ‘Rich Men North Of Richmond’. The viral hit has been interpreted as a working-class ballad which discusses societal issues like homelessness and mental health.

It has also caused controversy, being labelled as a “right-wing anthem”, “fatphobic” and “offensive”. Nonetheless, it has garnered almost 30 million views in a month.

Discussing his own song, Bragg explained that he “saw that clip of Oliver Anthony singing his song” and it felt like “ the ghost of Woody Guthrie whispering in my year”, he said (Consequence).

The result is a single that looks to speak to “working folk”.

Bragg touches on public healthcare, singing “Wouldn’t it be better for folks like you and me if medicine was subsidised and medicine was free?”.

“No matter if you live in the city or some little country town, rich man earning north of a million want to keep the working folk down,” he adds.

The singer-songwriter recently played a set at All Together Now in Waterford. As part of his tour of the UK and Ireland, Bragg is set to take the stage in Cork, Dublin and Belfast this November. For more information on dates and tickets click here.