In May, country star Jason Aldean released a thought-provoking single titled “Try That in a Small Town.” The lyrics of this song depict urban life as a chaotic and dangerous place, with lines like “Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk” and “Carjack an old lady at a red light.” Aldean challenges those who think they’re tough to try those acts in a small town.
Initially, the song received limited attention, landing at No. 35 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. However, the release of the music video turned it into a battleground of the culture war. Some accused Aldean, a prominent figure in the country music scene for almost two decades, of using racist dog-whistle tactics. The singer defended himself, claiming to be the latest victim of cancel culture.
This controversy caused a surge in interest in Aldean’s song, with both streams and downloads skyrocketing. As a result, “Try That in a Small Town” debuted at an impressive No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart, surpassing popular hits by Olivia Rodrigo and Morgan Wallen. The only artist to surpass Aldean was Jung Kook of the South Korean supergroup BTS, whose debut solo single, “Seven,” opened at No. 1.
The music video for “Try That,” released on July 14, starts with Aldean performing in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tenn., a location associated with a historical incident of racial violence. The video showcases various scenes of violent street protests, robberies, and clashes with police, contrasted with uplifting images like American flags and people helping each other.
The video faced criticism for allegedly targeting the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. Tennessee state representative Justin Jones condemned the song on Twitter, accusing Aldean of promoting racist violence. Aldean vehemently denied any racial undertones in the lyrics, dismissing claims that the song advocated for lynching.
Despite the controversy, some artists stood up for Aldean. Country singer Cody Johnson expressed his support, proclaiming his pride in being patriotic. Ted Nugent, known for his clashes with liberals, defended Aldean on Fox News, claiming that those opposing the song dislike its rejection of violence.
At a concert in Cincinnati, Aldean addressed the controversy, highlighting the presence of cancel culture and its attempts to ruin people’s lives for expressing unpopular opinions. He emphasized his love for the country and desire to restore it to its former glory.
Aldean’s past has not been controversy-free, as he has faced criticism for appearing in blackface for a Halloween costume and wearing Confederate battle flag T-shirts on stage.
Amidst the heated debate surrounding “Try That in a Small Town,” the song’s consumption metrics experienced a significant surge. Billboard reported that the track gained around 1,000 download sales and 200,000 streams per day in the United States upon its release. However, by the end of the week, the song garnered 228,000 sales (an increase of over 27,000 percent) and 11.6 million streams.
“Try That” marks Aldean’s first song to enter the Top 10 of the mainstream Hot 100 chart since 2011. Jung Kook’s “Seven” featuring Latto opened at No. 1 on the singles chart with impressive streaming numbers, sales, and radio airplay.
In the album chart, Taylor Swift maintains her dominance with “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” for a second consecutive week. This rerecorded album garnered the equivalent of 121,000 sales in the United States, including 96 million streams and 47,000 complete package sales. Swift’s project to re-record her first six albums has all resulted in No. 1 debuts.
Swift also occupies three more spots in the Top 10 albums chart with “Midnights” at No. 4, “Lover” at No. 6, and “Folklore” at No. 10. Morgan Wallen’s “One Thing at a Time” retains its position at No. 2, while his previous album, “Dangerous: The Double Album,” sits at No. 5. Peso Pluma’s “Génesis” rounds out the top three.
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