Country music singer Jason Aldean’s controversial new music video for his song “Try That In A Small Town” has sparked heated debates and intense backlash. Despite the criticism and Country Music Television (CMT) pulling the video, Aldean’s song has soared to the number one spot on the iTunes chart, overtaking other popular tracks like Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” and Luke Combs’ rendition of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.”
The song, which was released in May, gained significant attention only after Aldean dropped the video on July 14. The video incorporates real news footage from the 2020 riots in Georgia, where the singer hails from, depicting scenes of looting and rioting. Critics have accused the video of being “racist” and “pro-lynching,” leading to its removal from CMT.
In response to the backlash, Aldean vehemently defended his song, dismissing the accusations as “meritless” and “dangerous.” He took to Twitter to clarify the song’s intent, asserting that it is a call for unity among Americans and reminiscing about the sense of community he experienced while growing up, where people looked out for their neighbors, regardless of differences.
Aldean further emphasized that the song does not contain any references to race and highlights that the video only uses authentic news footage from the riots without any manipulation. The singer expressed his disappointment in how some have interpreted the song, stating that their claims go too far.
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. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.…
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023
The controversial track has triggered intense discussions about its messaging and appropriateness in the current socio-political climate. However, despite the controversy, the video remains available on YouTube and has already garnered over 7 million views at the time of publication.
The song’s rise to the top of the charts indicates that there is a significant audience embracing its message, while others remain critical. Jason Aldean’s known political views have likely contributed to the fervent reactions, as some fans may interpret the song through a different lens based on their own beliefs.
