Shut Up About Politics

Album: Single release only (2019)
Charted: 91
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Songfacts®:

  • The idea for this song originated from a conversation John Rich had with Greg Gutfeld from the Fox News panel talk show The Five. During a media roundtable at Rich's home the country star recalled that the pair were drinking together when Gutfeld said: "Man, don't you just get sick of hearing about politics all the time?" After Rich agreed with his sentiment, Gutfield added: "'I wish people would just shut up about it for a minute."

    Rich immediately thought there was a song idea. A few days later he was on his tour bus in Jacksonville, Florida and he began working on the lyrics. There was no paper on hand, so Rich had to write them on the back of a Walgreens bag that had his antibiotics inside (he was recovering from a sinus infection).
  • Rich isn't trying to quash political discourse, but he wants to be "able to watch a football game or an awards show or go to a concert or watch a movie or something and not be bombarded with political angles coming from both sides all the time."

    The singer added that he suspects most Americans feel that way. "No matter how you vote or what side of the aisle you're on, enough is enough. Can we please just have some fun together? We want to talk about politics, let's watch the news, but past that, shut up about politics."
  • The song features guest vocals from Gutfield and his The Five colleagues: Donna Brazile, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters and Juan Williams. Rich premiered the song with the quintet on the show's May 30, 2019 episode.
  • "Shut Up About Politics" became the Big & Rich member's second solo Hot 100 hit, following "Shuttin' Detroit Down," which peaked at #75 in March 2009.
  • All of the song's proceeds will benefit the Folds of Honor charity, which helps provide scholarships for military families.

Comments: 2

  • Stan from Aurora OhioFor John Rich how about a black t shirt with line from your song progress.
    "Stick your progress where
    The sun don’t shine"
    It would sell a TON hell I’d buy a dozen myself. Thxs
  • John from TexasJuan Williams wasn't present during the recording, Donna Brazil was there as his replacement.
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