Jason Aldean landed himself in some hot waters for his latest single “Try That In A Small Town.” The song talks about how some unlawful and immoral actions could be tolerated in big cities but not in small towns. So, why did this land him in some controversy? Read on to find out.
Jason Aldean is a renowned Country music star from Nashville, Tennessee. He has released 11 studio albums throughout his career spanning over 25 years. His last album was titled ‘Georgia’ released in 2022. The new track comes as the first release of his upcoming album.
“Try That In A Small Town” gained some controversy over social media for its music video. Critics claimed that Jason Aldean encouraged the use of racial dog whistles in the music video. Another source of controversy was the location of the music video, which was Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. This was the location of a hanging of a black man in 1927 and a racial riot in 1946. Critics say these factors point to an underlying racial attack. However, Jason Aldean and his production company have denied these allegations and have claimed that they had no prior knowledge about these incidents.
Listen to “Try That In A Small Town” by Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean “Try That In A Small Town” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Throughout the song, Jason Aldean lists many petty crimes and generally illegal and immoral acts that seem to be committed and tolerated in cities. Punching someone in the face, stealing an old lady’s car at a red light, robbing stores at gunpoint, and even going against the police officers themselves. These actions seem to be tolerated or at times even celebrated in big cities, says Jason Aldean. There’s certainly enough video evidence of these crimes being committed on social media.
Jason Aldean says there’s very less chance of people doing such things in small towns and even if such atrocities were committed, they would not get away with such things.
Well, try that in a small town
See how far ya make it down the road
This implies the idea that small towns usually have tight-knit communities and they tend to look out for each other. Even if the law enforces were not to act on a petty crime, the neighborhood would act on it and protect its citizens.
In the second verse of the song, Jason Aldean talks about a gun he inherited from his grandfather. So, this weapon holds a little sentimental value to him over a piece of typical equipment for protecting himself and his neighbors. Aldean is pro-‘right to bear arms.’ And he says there is no chance that gun control laws are taking this weapon away from him.
In the bridge of the song, Aldean talks about the ‘good ol’ boys’ raised in the country with morals, integrity, and respect for others. He says there are plenty of those in the small cities as opposed to arrogant and self-entitled people in the big towns.
Jason Aldean seems to be implying that guns would be the solution to a lot of these issues risen in big cities. We believe it should be the ‘good ol’ boys’ instead. All people, raised right with morals and empathy should patch up these cracks we see in society today. Also, it is not fair to say that these petty crimes only occur in big cities. It seems that way due to coverage both in public media and social media.
Let us hear what you think about the song in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics to the song on Genius.