Eric Church Thinks Music Built on Political Divides Won’t Stand the Test of Time

More and more in recent years, country music has found itself at the center of bitter political divides. Songs like Jason Aldean's "Try That in a Small Town" and Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North of Richmond" have galvanized listeners on both sides of the political aisle, while Maren Morris' recent departure from the genre underscores its deepening sociopolitical divides.

In a new interview with Esquire, Eric Church acknowledges that political outrage is a central component in today's country music. However, he also believes that in the long run, that division won't be the defining factor of its best songs.

"I do think it will define its era, but I think the era's fleeting and that s--t doesn't last," Church reflects. "Right now, especially in a political season, everybody's trying to use whatever weapon they can use to motivate whatever side they're on. And that is new, except maybe the Vietnam War era."

In 2021, after news broke of Morgan Wallen's racist slur scandal, Church condemned Wallen's actions as "indefensible." But he also extended a message of support to the younger star, telling him to keep "hanging in there," and spent time fishing with Wallen in the months that followed.

When it comes to music, Church says, any song that becomes a hit solely because it aligns with fans' political views is destined to fizzle out.

"I just think that stuff's gonna fall away and the really good music, just like with [the Vietnam War] era, will be what we remember 20 years from now," he continues. "I don't think a song that becomes popular or not popular because of whatever political aspirations the consumer has is really going to matter."