Country music singer Jason Aldean has addressed recent accusations surrounding his music video for the song “Try That in a Small Town” in a statement released on Tuesday.
The singer’s statement comes in the wake of criticism since Friday, in which he was accused of releasing a purportedly “pro-lynching” song that had been out since May. Additionally, he faced accusations that he expressed displeasure toward the nationwide Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.
“In the past 24 hours, I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song ... and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests,” Mr. Aldean wrote on Twitter. “These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.”
Mr. Aldean denied any racist intent in his song, asserting that “there is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it.” He also stressed that the accompanying music video features “real news footage” and contains no imagery that could be construed as promoting violence or hatred.
“While I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music—this one goes too far,” he said.
The country singer, who was on stage at the tragic 2017 Route 91 Harvest music festival shooting, emphasized that he has personally experienced the devastating consequences of senseless violence.
“NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart,” he added.
“Try That in a Small Town,” according to Mr. Aldean, is rooted in nostalgia for the tight-knit community he grew up in, where people cared for their neighbors regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.
He asserted that the song is not about promoting any specific political agenda, but rather about the desire for a return to normalcy where headlines are less consumed by tragedy and division.
“My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from,” Mr. Aldean added, acknowledging that not everyone in the country shares the same opinions 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.”
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the song’s essence lies in the yearning for a better future, free from the constant specter of violence and discord. That’s “what this song is about,” he says.
Criticism
The criticisms expressed on Twitter were split between discontent with the song’s lyrics referring to riots, gun control, and crime; and the backdrop of the music video, which was shot in front of the Maury County Courthouse, where Henry Choate, an 18-year-old black man, was lynched in 1927 after he was accused of assaulting a 16-year-old white girl.Country Music Television (CMT) pulled the music video from the air on Friday after critics expressed concerns that the song strikes a threatening tone while criticizing gun control and protests against police.
The video includes real news footage showing scenes of criminal acts like carjacking and robbing a liquor store. The song emphasizes that such actions won’t be tolerated in a small town. The lyrics suggest that people in small towns take care of each other and don’t tolerate lawlessness.
“Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk. Carjack 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,” Mr. Aldean sings.
“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. 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.”
Country music star Sheryl Crow was among those taking to Twitter to express their criticism.
“I’m from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence,” she wrote. “There’s nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting. This is not American or small town-like. It’s just lame.”
