A previously unknown and unsigned musician has topped the US charts with a song that blames urban elites for the troubles of working-class Americans. How did the right turn “Rich Men North of Richmond” into a hit?

For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.

For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.

If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 672: Oliver Anthony: America’s unlikely star