Discussions such as these serve as an important reminder that art has a profound effect on society and can either contribute positively to social growth or inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes and behaviors….
Sheryl Crow hasn’t kept quiet about Jason Aldean’s controversial new song, which has been the subject of heated debate in recent days.
The 61-year-old Missouri native stepped into the controversy surrounding the song “Try That in a Small Town” and expressed her dismay and concern, claiming that she thinks Aldean, 46, is spreading misconceptions through the song’s provocative lyrics.
.@Jason_Aldean I’m from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence.There’s nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting.
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) July 19, 2023
This is not American or small town-like. It’s just lame https://t.co/cuOtUO9xjr
Following are some of the lyrics specifically: “I’ve got a gun that my grandpa gave me / They say they’ll meet one day / Well that s**t could fly in the city, good luck / Try it in a small town.”
Crow, who is from a small town herself, emphasized in her tweet to the country artist that even small-town people are sick of the violence.
“@Jason_Aldean I’m from a small town. Even in small communities, people are tired of violence. Promoting violence is not a small town or even American. Anyone who has survived a mass shooting should know better than you,” she tweeted.
It’s not like small-town America. It’s absolutely pathetic.
The song railed for encouraging violence and emphasized that it was not representative of American values ​​or a feature of small-town life. Crow added that Aldean should be particularly sensitive to the issue because he himself survived the 2017 mass shooting at a Las Vegas concert tragedy that left 60 dead and more than 400 injured.
Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town” sees Aldean perform in front of a courthouse that was once the site of a lynching. The music video for the song received harsh criticism and was pulled from CMT’s programming.
The song’s lyrics have been criticized for condoning violence, and the inclusion of images from many events, particularly those associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, further stirred the debate.
Aldean responded to the claims with a lengthy message on Twitter, denying any association with pro-lynching ideas or against widespread BLM protests.
“In the last 24 hours, I have faced accusations of posting a song that supports lynching (a tune that has been available since May) and being compared to someone who (exact quote) was not too happy with the widespread BLM protests. These insinuations are not only worthless, they are harmful,” he said.
In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.…
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023
“While I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of the song with the music — this goes too far,” it read. “There isn’t a single lyric in the song that references or points to race—and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t actual news footage.”
The “Dirt Road Anthem” singer continued, “Try That In A Small Town” to me speaks to the sense of community I experienced as a child, where we looked up to each other despite differences in background or beliefs because their closeness to us outweighed any difference.
As the debate continues, it is imperative that artists, musicians, and the entertainment industry as a whole engage in open dialogue and self-reflection about the messages conveyed in their work. Creating space for constructive conversations about the impact of art on society can lead to greater awareness and accountability within the arts community.
In conclusion, the release of Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town” has sparked intense debate and criticism, prompting notables such as Sheryl Crow to voice their concerns. Crow’s dismay at the song’s inflammatory lyrics and promotion of violence resonated with many who believe in promoting a safe and responsible artistic environment. While Aldean defended himself against the accusations, the incident sparked discussions about the power and responsibility of artists to consider the impact of their work on society. The controversy surrounding the song serves as a reminder of the need for continued dialogue about the role of art in shaping public discourse and contributing positively to societal growth. As artists continue to create, it is crucial for them to walk the fine line between artistic freedom and social responsibility, and be aware of the potential impact their work has on their audience.