‘Small Town’ sensibilities, big city blues
Only in America in summer of 2023 could a pro-justice, anti-violence song become an anthem for what is wrong with this country.
Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town,” has taken the country by storm. Not only for people who have downloaded it, or streamed, but also from progressive leftists —who claim it is a dog whistle for white nationals and other far right extremists.
I just want to alert the left, if it is a dog whistle, you should not hear it. That’s the definition of a dog whistle.
That being said Aldean’s lyrics pit the chaos and violence that have become endemic in big blue city America and informs listeners that that type of behavior would not be tolerated in a small town, where neighbors look after each other.
In an interview Aldean defended his song by saying, “‘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.”
CMT, which at one time was called Country Music TV, has banned the video. Perhaps the acronym now stands for Communist Manifesto TV.
If Hip Hop performers can rap about black-on-black violence and anti-white lyrics that has been acceptable for decades, then you can’t let a self-proclaimed conservative stand up and sing about fly-over country and the different morals exhibited there.
I get the fact that many artist take on a thug role to sell records and may or may not stand for the lyrics they sing. But since Aldean is conservative and the song attests to conservative values that makes it a ultra, far-right anthem.
Not an musical act, but a call to arms.
Aldean concluded his interview with this statement, “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 the song is about.”
That is not a statement that would need to be defended a few short years ago.
But again, welcome to summer of 2023, where the song of the season has radicals up in arms for holding up a mirror to them.
I’ve posted the lyrics below for those who have not heard it.
“Try That In A Small Town”
Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk
Car jack an old lady at a red light
Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store
Ya think it’s cool, well, act a fool if ya like
Cuss out a cop, spit in his face
Stomp on the flag and light it up
Yeah, ya think you’re tough
Well, try that in a small town
See how far ya make it down the road
‘Round 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
Got a gun that my granddad gave me
They say one day they’re gonna round up
Well, that shit might fly in the city, good luck
Well, try that in a small town
See how far ya make it down the road
‘Round 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
Full of good ol’ boys, raised up right
If you’re looking for a fight
Try that in a small town
Try that in a small town
Try that in a small town
(See how far ya make it down the road)
‘Round 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
Try that in a small town, mm-mm
Try that in a small town