During NBC’s New Year’s Eve special, Blake Shelton unveiled his latest single, “Minimum Wage.” The song, which features lyrics like, “Your love is money / Yeah, your love can make a man feel rich on minimum wage,” was quickly met with backlash online.
Critics called out the country crooner for being insensitive, particularly at a time where many have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Twitter users also pointed out that he has a net worth of $100 million, while his fianceé Gwen Stefani (whom the song is presumed to be about) is worth about $150 million.
“Blake Shelton singing ‘your love could make a man feel rich on minimum wage’ just cements the fact that rich people have absolutely no f–king clue,” one Twitter user wrote.
“@blakeshelton when was the last time you had to survive on minimum wage and you were like ‘nah, this girl likes me. Im [sic] all good,'” another chimed in.
See some tweets below. Billboard has reached out to Shelton’s reps for response.
Additionally, @blakeshelton, do you even KNOW how much minimum wage is? Not enough to pay rent on a 1 bedroom apartment in most cities. #TheMoreYouKnow
— Vaxxed for your pleasure (@BKathleen_) January 1, 2021
Does anyone else find Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage” song to be incredibly tone deaf to our country’s current state?
— Kyle Kramer (@KYLE0REN) January 1, 2021
blake shelton singing “your love could make a man feel rich on minimum wage” just cements the fact that rich people have absolutely no fucking clue
— cece 🦇 (@cecemado) January 1, 2021
A mega millionaire romanticizing minimum wage is peak 2020.
Blake Shelton can go fuck himself. pic.twitter.com/fidWgFAjED
— Julie (@mrsjulieholt) January 1, 2021
Losing my mind watching Blake Shelton, a man who has $100M, sing "Your love is money, you make me feel rich on minimum wage" to close out 2020
— Amber wants a Green New Deal (@Amber_Dawn89) January 1, 2021
Blake Shelton really released a song with the lyrics "you make a man feel rich on minimum wage" ummmm sir you are a billionaire like ?????? pic.twitter.com/ci94BFVd1V
— K (@mxbrightside96) January 2, 2021
Did @blakeshelton just really sing about being rich on minimum wage? #OutOfTouch
— Larissa (not Marissa or Clarissa) (@Larsenic) January 1, 2021
@blakeshelton love on minimum wage really???? Small businesses are struggling if not closed, people are struggling and a multi- millionaire sings about minimum wage about your multi-millionaire fiance'? What will you do to help the world today?? SMFH
— Country Michalek (@redhaireddoll) January 4, 2021