Tom MacDonald's new song featuring John Rich, "The End of the World" is a powerful anthem for our troubled times. Through their collaboration, these two artists bridge the gap between country music and anti-woke hip-hop to create a simple commentary on what sometimes feels like apocalyptic times. The accompanying music video & its UFO imagery speaks to that directly.
The lyrics illustrate the sense of betrayal felt by many when confronted with the injustices of their world. Tom's opening verse spotlights the atrocities of the fake news media and quotes directly from Gil Scott-Heron by saying the only thing he knows for sure in a deceptive world is that the "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". Technological advancement and political corruption has run amok. The scale is Biblical. What would you do if the world ended? MacDonald goes on to invoke cryptocurrency and address uncertainties and hostilities with the governement and the banking system by saying "Soon enough, the government will leave your bank account froze" and "I feel like cryptocurrency is probably our last financial hope".
Amidst Tom's verse's John Rich's soulful country chorus brings images a fulfilled life as well as betrayal from politicians as he speaks directly to those who have served America only to be rewarded with a technocratic apocalypse where their civil liberties and financial wellbeing are being eroded. Lines like: "We built those bombs they're droppin', we've fought in all their wars Now that the sky is fallin', what did we do it for?" asks the listener to imagine the feeling of betrayal and dissapointment patriots feel if our government were to lead us into a catastrophic war. Our state was supposed to protect us and find us peace, not trigger the apocalypse!
What is interesting here is the crossover between genres and worlds. Indeed, John & Tom promoted the song to both of their audiences by noting how different they are in terms of aesthetic, style and musical formula. This collaboration is a brilliant example of how cultural differences can be united in times of turmoil. It's worth a listen & a watch!
