Jason Aldean's New Song 'Try That in a Small Town' Criticized for Controversial Lyrics About Guns, Protesters
Activists
.@Jason_Aldean – who was on-stage during the mass shooting at a Las Vegas concert in 2017 that killed 60 people and wounded over 400 more – has recorded a song called “Try That In A Small Town” about how he and his friends will shoot you if you try to take their guns. pic.twitter.com/hWGdEgS33v
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) July 17, 2023
Many activists responded to Aldean's song, including Moms Demand founder Shannon Watts. They saw little subtext in Aldean's sparse lyrics.
prevnextDog Whistles
@destineenstark The dog whistles in this song are legit WILD. 😳 #jasonaldean #countrymusic #trythatinasmalltown #fyp
♬ original sound – Destinee Stark
Many commenters took Aldean's lyrics one line at a time to dissect the references to race and politics for those that might have missed them. Several lines stood out as overtly racist and politicized in particular, including the term "good ole boys."
prevnextCountry Values
Don't let Jason Aldean define country for you.
Garth Brooks wrote a pro-gay anthem.
Reba McEntire sang about a poor girl who turned to sex work to care for her family.
Loretta Lynn sang about women's freedom and "The Pill."
Mickey Guyton sang about being "Black Like Me."
— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) July 18, 2023
Many listeners pointed out that country music is not a monolith, and that Aldean's politics didn't represent the entire genre.
prevnextCo-signers
Jason Aldean wrote the modern lynching song and not one person bothered to say along the way: perhaps don’t do that. https://t.co/5DgM1AE5Nb
— melissa “cancelled student debt” byrne (@mcbyrne) July 17, 2023
Some noted that Aldean wasn't the only one responsible for this song – his bandmates, record producers and other professionals had clearly given their endorsement to the song throughout the recording and releasing process.
prevnextHypocritical
Noted suburban Atlantian, Jason Aldean, has literally never been to a small town.
They’re vicious, petty, gossipy, officious, and strongly enforce small-minded parochial homogeneity.
What Jason is really trying to say is “I’m scared of black people. I miss all-white enclaves.” https://t.co/Kf6wmzS8jW
— Erik (@gothlaw) July 17, 2023
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.
So miss me with this bullshit about your small town full of good ol’ boys https://t.co/0zKzzZy00Z
— Justin Kirkland (@justinkirkland4) July 17, 2023
Many people shared publicly-available details from Aldean's personal life, calling him a hypocrite for lyrics that they think do not relate to his real experience.
prevnextScandals
Fun fact. Jason Aldean cheated on his wife with an American Idol contestant. Guess they do stuff like that in “small towns” too. 😏
— 𝓟𝓲𝓷𝓴 (@_pinkrantz) July 17, 2023
As someone who spent most of his life in towns of less than 1000 people, this reads like Jason Aldean wants to lynch someone real bad.
Gee. I wonder if maybe he's a racist, adulterous, alcoholic piece of shit? https://t.co/fyazDjD2an
— Zeus, more or less (@TheZeusJuice) July 17, 2023
Users also brought up Aldean's personal scandals including his infidelity to his wife. They mocked him for singing about "small town values" with so many mistakes in his past.
prevnextNot Exaggerating
"Try it in a sundown town..."
— SupeAndyZ (@DevAndyZ) July 18, 2023
This is one of the most dangerous, irresponsible videos from a mainstream artist I have ever seen. @Jason_Aldean is openly radicalizing his fans into white nationalist vigilante violence.@BMG @BMG_US Everyone associated with greenlighting this should be ashamed. Your artist is… https://t.co/FgYT2DwVZV pic.twitter.com/YqkV1oBrpp
— Jim Stewartson, Anti-disinfo activist 🇺🇸🇺🇦💙 (@jimstewartson) July 17, 2023
Finally, while Aldean's defenders tried to claim that critics were exaggerating the offense of lyrics, critics begged to differ. They pointed out how thinly-veiled references and "dog whistles" like this are laid out intentionally so that the singer will have plausible deniability. They urged listeners not to give Aldean the benefit of the doubt.
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