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 Bless the USA
Lee Greenwood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd work for all my life
Had I had to start again
With just my children and my wife
I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today
'Cause the flag still stand for freedom
And they can't take that away
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men 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
That I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men 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 (love this land)
God bless the USA
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men 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 (love this land)
God bless the USA
The song, "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood is an ode to America and its tradition of unwavering freedom. In the first verse, Greenwood's lyrics express his profound gratitude for the chance to work for a living, share his life with his loved ones, and be grateful for the myriad opportunities that America provides. The chorus continues to express the singer's pride in being an American, and his resolve to honor the memories of the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives to create and protect America's freedoms. The final verse of the song shows just how uniquely diverse America is, stretching from Minnesota to Tennessee, Houston to New York, and everywhere in between. The pride and love that the nation's citizens hold in their hearts is something that Greenwood truly cherishes.
Line by Line Meaning
If tomorrow all the things were gone
If I were to lose all my material possessions and worldly possessions in a day
I'd work for all my life
I would strive hard to regain everything that I lost
Had I had to start again
If given another chance
With just my children and my wife
With only my loved ones
I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today
I would be grateful for being alive in this great country
'Cause the flag still stand for freedom
The flag represents our freedom
And they can't take that away
Our freedom cannot be taken away from us
And I'm proud to be an American
I feel a sense of pride being an American
Where at least I know I'm free
In America, I have the freedom that is guaranteed to me
And I won't forget the men who died
I will not disregard the bravery of the fallen soldiers who gave their lives to protect my freedom
Who gave that right to me
The soldiers sacrificed their lives so that I can exercise my rights
And I'll gladly stand up next to you
I will readily stand with all the people of this great nation
And defend her still today
I will protect this land and its people
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
I love this country wholeheartedly
God bless the USA
May God continue to bless the United States of America
From the lakes of Minnesota
From the great lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
To the hills of Tennessee which stands for the southern states of America
Across the plains of Texas
Over the expansive plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea
From the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific ocean
From Detroit down to Houston
From Detroit city in Michigan all the way to Houston in Texas.
And New York to LA
From New York city on the East Coast to Los Angeles on the West Coast
Well there's pride in every American heart
Every American is filled with a sense of pride
And it's time we stand and say
Now is the perfect time to express the pride that we feel
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
I have no doubts in my love for this country
God bless the USA
May God bless the United States of America
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Lee Melvin 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?