NYCBP Blog

He seems like a political conservative, having supported Fred Thompson in the 2008 Republican presidential primary and then John McCain in the general election. He even wrote a campaign song for McCain, called “Raisin’ McCain”.

Now, however, country singer and songwriter John Rich has taken a quite un-Republican populist approach, and written and released a song expressing outrage at the economic plight of the workers and farmers of this land, while the big bankers continue to receive astronomical handouts from Washington.

It is called “Shuttin' Detroit Down” and features in the video a country music legend who is known more for his left wing views, Kris Kristofferson, and acclaimed actor Mickey Rourke.

The story of the video, which is implied by the song’s lyrics, is about a 32-year veteran of a factory, Kristofferson, who is being let go by the bosses. It has certainly struck a chord, because as of May 7, it was number two on the list of the top 10 most streamed videos on CMT.com.

Here, embedded from CMT.com, is that video of “Shuttin' Detroit Down”:

(Hopefully CMT won’t take it down anytime soon.)

You can also see below a live version of the song, performed in Madison, Wisconsin, where John begins by talking a little about the conditions in which he grew up in Amarillo, Texas.



I don’t think John Rich – whose work I’ve admired for many years although I don’t share his politics, at least possibly up until now – is exactly ready to raise the red flag. If he ever is, however, here is another song he just might consider covering, from a film that also could use a good remake:

Labels: country music, Eddie Goldman, John Rich