Country singer Jason Aldean finds himself at the center of controversy after his latest music video, “Try That In a Small Town,” was pulled by CMT due to allegations of promoting gun violence and criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement. The artist, however, strongly denies these claims, defending his song as “not only meritless, but dangerous.”
Released in May, “Try That In a Small Town” was accompanied by a music video that stirred up intense debate among audiences. The track’s lyrics contain lines like, “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.” Aldean later sings, “Got a gun that my granddad gave me / They say one day they’re gonna round up / Well, that shit might fly in the city, good luck.” The music video includes visuals of the burning of the American flag, protests, and looting, leading CMT to remove it from its rotation.
In response to the backlash, Aldean took to Twitter to defend his song and music video. He refuted the accusations made against his work and expressed concern about the dangerous implications of the claims. “There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it,” Aldean stated emphatically. He also clarified that the video clips used were real news footage, further supporting his intentions.
Social media reactions were mixed, with some users finding the lyrics offensive, especially considering the tragic events Aldean himself experienced. In 2017, the singer was onstage at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas when a shooter opened fire, resulting in the death of 60 concertgoers and injuries to hundreds more. Acknowledging this horrific incident, Aldean stressed that he, like everyone else, desires an end to senseless violence and devastating headlines that tear families apart.
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Explaining the inspiration behind “Try That In A Small Town,” Aldean shared his perspective of growing up in a close-knit community where neighbors supported and cared for each other regardless of their differences. For him, the song embodies the desire for a return to a sense of normalcy in a country that has been plagued by turmoil.
While the controversy may have affected the reception of “Try That In a Small Town,” the song managed to climb to No. 35 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in June and currently holds the No. 25 spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, measuring success at country radio.
Jason Aldean’s defense of his music and his candid expression of his political views show his commitment to his craft and his willingness to address the societal issues reflected in his work. As debates continue over the interpretation of his song, Aldean remains steadfast in his belief that music should evoke meaningful discussions and inspire change.