Google has released its 2023 top trends and as the year comes to a close, fans of singers Jason Aldean and Oliver Anthony will be very happy.
Aldean and Anthony are typically popular with conservatives and Republicans, with their songs hitting out at "woke" culture.
According to the California-based global search engine Google and its 2023 Year in Search roundup, both artists and their music placed in the top 5 most searched for Songs and Musicians.
Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town" came out on top at number 1 in the Song category, with Anthony's "Rich Men North of Richmond" chasing him up in second place.
The top 5 song searches were completed by "Unholy" by Sam Smith and Kim Petras in third place, "Ella Baila Sola" by Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma in fourth place, and "Boy's a liar Pt. 2" by Ice Spice and PinkPantheress in fifth.
In addition, Aldean was the number 1 most searched musician, with Anthony coming in third, after Ice Spice in second. Peso Pluma was the fourth most searched and Joe Jonas fifth.
"Try That in a Small Town" landed in May and was highly praised by country music fans but criticized by others.
For some, his lyrics on the contrast between city life and living in a small town were deemed controversial. Lyrics included: "Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk/Carjack an old lady at a red light/Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store/Ya think it's cool, well, act a fool if ya like."
It was also pulled off the air by Country Music Television (CMT) due to the lyrics citing potential gun violence, causing calls for a station boycott.
For good or bad, the song was a hot topic and is reflected in being the most searched song of 2023.
"Rich Men North of Richmond" by Anthony aired in August and slingshotted the relatively unknown singer into the public eye. It was discussed at the first Republican presidential debate and, to start with, was confusing for supporters both on the left and right, who were unsure of the lyrics and who they may have aimed at.
Some of the lyrics included: "I wish politicians would look out for miners/And not just minors on an island somewhere/Lord, we got folks in the street, ain't got nothin' to eat/And the obese milkin' welfare."
When it was released, his song debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Other popular trends saw Taylor Swift's boyfriend Travis Kelce coming in at number 2 for most searched athlete, Matthew Perry as the most searched passing, Barbie as the most searched film, and Lakers vs Warriors as the most searched Vs.
Newsweek has contacted Jason Aldean and Oliver Anthony's talent agents via email for comment.
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