Country Mike Blog

Shutting Detroit Down

Mike Sudhalter  |  February 20, 2009

John Rich has been all over the place. He started in Lonestar with some pop-country before having some fun with that Big & Rich duo (are they ever going to get back together?0

Not if Rich's solo career takes off with this song - "Shutting Down Detroit".

Apparently now, the politically outspoken Rich has added social commentary to his repetoire. He started in 2008 with "Raisin' McCain" - a song that will go down as a footnote since his candidate of choice lost the Presidential Election.

"Shutting Detroit Down" has a chance to be one of the most memorable country songs of its time because it's about a very real issue - our failing economy. People will look back in 10-20 years and remember the song as a reminder of these difficult times.

It's very critical of Wall Street people who are living it up while "in the real world, they're shutting Detroit down." With Detroit, obviously, meaning the American auto industry.

Rich tells fans at a Wisconsin concert that he's flying in helicopters and getting wined and dined. But reminds them that he grew up with little and worked hard for it - while many of those benefiting from the current economic crisis are enjoying their plentiful perks, even though they failed their respective companies and industries.