Early life
After the separation of his parents, Lee grew up in Sacramento on the poultry farm of his grandparents. At the age of seven, he began playing the saxophone, and at the age of nine became a member of a dance ensemble. In 1969, he joined the Chester Smith Band and had his first television appearance. A short time later, he worked with the country musician Del Reeves.
He founded his first band, Apollo, in 1962. He briefly battled a cocaine addiction and moved to Iceland to go to rehab. The band, which changed its name later to Lee Greenwood Affair, played mostly pop music and appeared mostly in casinos in Las Vegas. A few records were recorded in Los Angeles with the Paramount label. After the band broke up in the 1970s, Greenwood moved back to Las Vegas, where he worked as a black jack dealer during the day, and as a singer at night.
Career
In 1979, he was discovered in Reno, Nev., by Larry McFaden, the bandleader and bassist of Mel Tillis. After making some demo tapes, Greenwood was signed in 1981 by the Nashville-based MCA label, and McFaden became his manager.
The first single, "It Turns Me Inside Out", made it to a spot in the top 20 of the country charts. Greenwood had written this song for Kenny Rogers, but Rogers turned it down due to the sheer volume of songs he had been offered at the time. "Ring On Her Finger and Time on her Hands" landed him in the country top 10.
He is best known for writing and recording the patriotic song "God Bless the USA" in the early 1980s. "God Bless the USA" gained renewed popularity following the launch of Operation: Desert Storm in 1991, and again, ten years later, following the September 11, 2001 attacks; in fact, the song even re-entered the Top 20 of the country charts in late 2001. Since then, Greenwood has played at many public events and commemorations of the attacks. He supports the United States Republican Party.
Theater
In 1995, Greenwood took a break from his touring schedule to spend time with his wife and newborn son. In his time off, he elected to build a theater in Sevierville, Tenn., and in April 1996, the "Lee Greenwood Theater" opened its doors. This gave Greenwood the opportunity to still perform daily shows, in addition to being with his family. The theater operated for five seasons, and closed for Greenwood to continue touring. The theater was not located in the heavily entertainment and tourist oriented areas of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Gatlinburg, Tenn., which contributed to the theater closing. The former theater building is now host to a church.
God Belss The USA
Lee Greenwood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd work for all my life.
And I had had to start again,
With just my children and my wife.
And I'd think my lucky stars to be livin' here today,
Cause the flag still stand for freedom and they can't take that away
[Chorus]
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me
And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well there's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say
[Chorus]
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA!
The lyrics to Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" speak to the deep patriotism that many Americans feel for their country. The song begins with the hypothetical scenario of losing everything and having to start over with only family left. Even in that situation, the singer still sees the value in living in the United States because of the freedom represented by the flag.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'm proud to be an American" several times, emphasizing the singer's love for their country. They also recognize the sacrifices made by those who have died to protect their right to that freedom. The singer's willingness to stand up and defend their country today is a call to action for all Americans to take pride in their home and work towards making it better.
The second verse of the song lists off several geographic locations within the United States, highlighting the level of pride that exists in every corner of the country. The song concludes with a final declaration of love for the USA.
Overall, "Proud to be an American" is a powerful display of American patriotism that resonates with many people who hold their country dear. It reminds us to cherish our freedom and never forget the sacrifices that have been made to maintain it.
Line by Line Meaning
If tomorrow all my things were gone
In the hypothetical scenario where I lose everything, including material possessions and social status,
I'd work for all my life.
I would persevere and put in the effort to rebuild my life from scratch.
And I had had to start again,
If I were faced with the challenge of starting over anew,
With just my children and my wife.
With only the love and support of my family to lean on,
And I'd think my lucky stars to be livin' here today,
I would feel grateful and blessed to be living in this country at this moment in time,
Cause the flag still stand for freedom and they can't take that away
Because the flag of the United States continues to symbolize the ideals of freedom and democracy, which cannot be taken away from us.
And I'm proud to be an American
I feel a great sense of pride and patriotism as a citizen of the United States.
Where at least I know I'm free
In America, I have the assurance that I can live as a free individual and enjoy fundamental rights and liberties.
And I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me
I am eternally grateful to the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to defend our freedoms.
And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
I am willing and prepared to stand with my fellow Americans to protect the values and principles that the USA stands for.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA.
I have no doubt about my love and affection for this country and may God bless the United States of America.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
This great land stretches from the northern lakes of Minnesota to the southern hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea.
Spanning the vast plains of Texas and extending from one coast to the other,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
From industrial powerhouse Detroit to bustling metropolises like Houston, New York and Los Angeles,
Well there's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say
Every American feels a sense of pride and love for this great nation and we must stand together and make that known.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Lee Greenwood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lastninja7365
I’m from Japan and become an American on the Memorial Day this year. I love God and America, it’s a great country to live and work in. I’m proud of being an American where at I know I’m free and I won’t forget the men who die who gave the right to me.
@TheJd195555
Welcome to America 🇺🇸 who has served in the United States Navy and spent 5 years of it Japan 🇯🇵. I came to love the people and enjoyed my time there.
God bless you 🙏 ✝️ 🙏
@johnwyskochil463
Glad to have you here friend.
@Cat-pz7wj
WELCOME!!! It IS a great country, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
@almighty5839
Don’t vote blue
@dougwood1658
Thank you..Glad you are now a citizen of this GREAT COUNTRY !!
I served in the Army from 1972-1974...
God Bless the USA !!!
@bsdnmd
Im born from Mexican Parents in the Good ol' US of A and when my parents became citizens, this song played and my mom shed tears she was finally an American. She waved the Stars and Stripes. If I were born again id be begging to be born in the US of A AGAIN!
@afs9612
Atta boy!
@jesusofbullets
A true American. Bless you brother.
@lowereastsideastrologist7769
you messican?