In the world of country music, ACM Artist of the Decade, Jason Aldean, is a titan. Yet, Aldean is blazing a new trail with his latest brazen release – a video accompanying his single “Try That in a Small Town.” Not one to shy away from controversial sentiments or a hard-hitting message, Aldean exposes the stark frustration and revulsion swelling in the heartland at what he sees as the degradation of American society and values by leftists.
Throughout the video, the country superstar positions himself poignantly in front of the Maury County courthouse in Tennessee. It’s while bathed in the neon glow of this historic emblem of justice that Aldean’s video takes a daring turn. Stirring images of rampant street violence from Black Lives Matter (BLM) and other leftist protestors, brutal assaults on law enforcement officers, and commonplace domestic crime jolt the viewer’s senses, creating a stark juxtaposition against Aldean’s tranquil setting.
The lyrics of “Try That in a Small Town” echo Aldean’s visual composition, resonating with the disillusioned and exasperated sentiments of myriad American citizens. With hard-hitting phrases such as, “Try that in a small town…See how far ya make it down the road…’Round here, we take care of our own,” Aldean paints a potent portrait of a besieged country. But one not without hope and resilience – this isn’t a call to arms but a call to unity and preservation of time-honored American values.
Aldean’s song seems particularly prescient given the tumultuous backdrop of the U.S in recent times. Lyrics like, “Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk… Carjack an old lady at a red light… Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store… Cuss out a cop, spit in his face,” do not pull any punches. They draw a harsh, realist picture of the state of affairs in modern America, one many citizens refuse to acknowledge.
Moreover, Aldean’s song is replete with a rugged and defiant assertion of American individualism, embodied in the line, “Got a gun that my granddad gave me.” It’s an almost defiant rebuke to attempts by some sections of society to encroach upon constitutionally guaranteed rights.
This isn’t Aldean’s first flirtation with politics or conservative ideals either. He previously spent New Year’s Eve with the Trump family, lauding the former president’s accomplishments and hinting at the shared values they uphold. This deep connection to the heartland ideals is evident in Aldean’s music. It’s seeping through the noteworthy lyrics of “Try That in a Small Town”, cementing his place as a prominent voice in the ongoing socio-political discourse.
As we conclude, it’s clear that the gravity and urgency of Jason Aldean’s message in “Try That in a Small Town” is more than just a mere musical grumble. It echoes the disillusionment and fear many Americans feel. Yet, amidst the apprehension, there’s an unmistakable note of resolution. Aldean’s refrain of “we take care of our own” is about more than parochialism or exclusion; it’s an assertion of resilience, unity, and defiance in the chaotic whirlwind of modern America. Aldean is not only singing about the problems but reminding us of the enduring spirit that will drive the solutions. His latest release is not simply a country song; it’s a stark call-to-arms in the values battle raging across America.
