Country music star Jason Aldean defended his new song and video after CMT pulled it from airwaves Tuesday as his new hit, ‘Try That in a Small Town’ has caused a frenzy among liberals who described it as ‘pro-lynching.’
Aldean, 46, released the gun-toting, anti-woke video Friday, which slams left-wing antagonists for antics that wouldn’t fly in the South.
Both the lyrics and the video, which interlaced clips of BLM protestors vandalizing cities with lines endorsing traditional values and ‘taking care of our own,’ have caused outrage online.
Aldean addressed his detractors in an Instagram story Tuesday where he denied any anti-black or pro-lynching sentiment and pointed out that people have only discovered it now, two months after it was released.
‘In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests,’ he wrote. ‘These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.’
Country music star Jason Aldean is speaking out after he sparked controversy with his new hit song ‘Try That in a Small Town’, which slams left wing antagonists and caused liberals on Twitter to call it ‘pro-lynching’
‘There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far,’ he added.
He added he was at the Route 91 Las Vegas Harvest Festival – where 61 people died in the deadliest mass shooting in American history – and said that ‘NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart.’
Aldean attempted to explain what he felt the song represented and that it wasn’t necessarily a political message.
”Try That In A Small Town’, for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences.’
He said the understood people knew him as a proudly pro-Trump conservative but he wanted to share a message of unity.
‘My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this Country don’t agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to- that’s what this song is about,’ he finished.
A spokesperson for CMT confirmed to Billboard the video had been pulled from the airwaves. Aldean has not addressed the network’s decision.
Aldean opens the song: ‘Cuss out a cop, spit in his face. Stomp on the flag and light it up. Yeah, ya think you’re tough? Try that in a small town.’
The music video was met with backlash among some who felt the lyrics were dog-whistles intended to offend, while others saw it as a commentary on America’s sharp divides.
In the music video, Aldean sings before large white property and an American flag interlaced with clips of BLM protests
The country music star used footage from Black Lives Matter riots for the divisive song
Aldean took aim at woke activists for acting ‘a fool’, particularly condemning the series of BLM protests that sprung up across America following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020.
The riots resulted in billions of dollars in damage and led to questions over why such a large number of people were willing to break the law, with Aldean feeling the unrest was due to people not being ‘raised right’.
‘Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk, carjack an old lady at a red light,’ he sings. ‘Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store – ya think it’s cool, well, act a fool.
‘See how far ya make it down the road. Around here, we take care of our own. You cross that line, it won’t take long for you to find out – I recommend you don’t try that in a small town.’
One line caused particular offense among some gun-hating listeners, where Aldean sang: ‘Got a gun that my grandad gave me, they say one day they’re gonna round up… well, that s*** might fly in the city, good luck.’
While some see any reference to guns as ‘crossing the line’, Aldean’s gun lyrics were also seen as insensitive given his connection to the deadly Las Vegas mass shooting.
The 46-year-old capped off the song by paying tribute to Southern values, noting that small towns are ‘full of good ol’ boys, raised up right.’
‘If you’re looking for a fight, try that in a small town.’
The song was met with mixed reviews, with liberal listeners feeling Aldean’s touting of Southern norms and anti-rioting were far-right affronts, while fans found it hard to disagree with its traditional values.
When not showing footage of BLM protests, Aldean was seen in the divisive music video singing in front of a large white property
The song made repeated references to BLM protests. Pictured: NYPD officers block the entrance of the Manhattan Bridge as protests erupted in New York City on June 2, 2020
A Pittsburgh Police vehicle burns during a march in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 30, 2020
Aldean posted on Twitter to celebrate releasing his new song to the public on July 14
Taking to Twitter after the song was released Friday, Aldean said the hit was inspired by the ‘unspoken rule’ of small towns of ‘we all have each other’s backs and we look out for each other.’
‘It feels like somewhere along the way, that sense of community and respect has gotten lost. Deep down we are all ready to get back to that,’ he added.
‘I hope my new music video helps y’all know that u are not alone in feeling that way.’
Fans of the hit-maker were quick to praise the conservative-tinged tune, with one branding it ‘absolutely epic.’
‘(Aldean) rips into the left-wing riots, soft on crime governance in cities, gun control, and other leftist degradation,’ they added.
‘You have to try to be offended by this,’ added another, with fans of the country music star agreeing his focus on traditional values should be merited.
However, those on the other side of the aisle were quick to condemn Aldean for his Republican views. In 2021, the singer also caused offense after dressing his young daughters in anti-Joe Biden merchandise.
One disgruntled former fan said: ‘Wow. I used to really like his music but when I found out just how conservative he was, that was it.’
Another accused Aldean of being disingenuous, given that the singer’s $100 million net worth doesn’t qualify him to sing about small-town life.
‘What’s fun about Jason Aldean is that he recently left a home that had a bowling alley, outdoor kitchen, and giant fountain for an even nicer home in the heart of Nashville,’ they said.
‘So miss me with this bullshit about your small town full of good ol’ boys.’
