Country music singer Jason Aldean has come under fire for his new song, “Try That in a Small Town.” The song, which was released in May 2023, has been criticized for its lyrics, which some say glorify vigilante justice and promote racist stereotypes about small towns.
In the song, Aldean sings about a man who is threatened by a group of people who don’t like his lifestyle. The man responds by threatening to “take care of them” himself. The song’s chorus goes:
“Try that in a small town You’ll see what happens When you mess with someone’s family They’ll come after you, boy”
Some critics have said that the song’s lyrics promote the idea that violence is an acceptable way to solve problems. They have also pointed out that the song’s depiction of small towns as being full of violent people is harmful and inaccurate.
Other critics have said that the song’s lyrics are racist. They point to the line “They’ll come after you, boy” as evidence that the song is promoting stereotypes about black people as being violent.
Aldean has defended the song, saying that it is not meant to be taken seriously. He has also said that the song is not about race, but rather about the importance of standing up for what you believe in.
However, the backlash against the song has continued. Several radio stations have refused to play the song, and some fans have called for Aldean to apologize.
The controversy surrounding “Try That in a Small Town” is a reminder of the power of music to shape our perceptions of the world. It is also a reminder that we need to be critical of the messages that we are sending to our children and our communities.
Related coverage: Forbes
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