In the world of music, controversy often swirls around an artist’s work, and country star Jason Aldean is no stranger to this. His recent single, “Try That In A Small Town,” faced a barrage of criticism upon its release earlier this year. However, the tides have turned, and the song has emerged victorious, landing at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song, originally released in May, drew immediate scrutiny for its mention of a gun, a sensitive topic in today’s climate. Aldean acknowledged the criticism and expressed his surprise at the backlash, especially before the accompanying music video was even seen by the public.
In a recent interview with Audacy’s Coop, Jason Aldean addressed the controversy head-on. He explained, “The biggest issue, I think, people had when we released the song was that it mentioned ‘having a gun that my grandfather gave me.’” Aldean anticipated potential backlash due to the song’s content and the accompanying video’s portrayal of sensitive current events.
The music video, which highlighted several poignant societal issues, sparked further controversy and led some to label Aldean as “racist.” Despite this, Aldean moved forward with the video, standing by the song’s message and emphasizing that it was meant to shed light on important issues.
Amidst the criticism, Jason Aldean released a statement to clarify any misunderstandings regarding the song’s intentions. He firmly stood by the song’s message, asserting that country music is about addressing the realities of the blue-collar working class and standing up for what is right.
Aldean’s steadfast stance found strong support among his dedicated fanbase, known as the Aldean Army. Their unwavering loyalty propelled the streaming numbers, ultimately propelling “Try That In A Small Town” to the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This accomplishment marked a first for Aldean, as he secured the #1 spot, solidifying his impact on the country music scene.
To add to this triumph, Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs followed closely behind at #2 and #3, respectively, making history as the first time three country songs have simultaneously held the top three positions on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Reflecting on the journey, Jason Aldean expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response and emphasized the importance of standing up for what’s right, regardless of the potential consequences. “At the end of the day, it brought a lot of attention to the song and the video,” Aldean concluded. “To see the response around that song and video was pretty amazing, actually.” Despite initial adversity, “Try That In A Small Town” has proven to be a powerful anthem resonating with a wide audience.
Listen to the podcast below:
