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.
Hearts Aren't Made to Break
Lee Greenwood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh it tears me up when you go all to pieces
Your cryin' eyes say you've been hurt enough
Tryin' hard don't always make it easy
Cause hearts aren't made to break, they're made to love
Lately all I do is think about you
It's weighin' like a stone inside my mind
And left your heart hangin' on the line
[Chorus]
Your love is finally gettin' to me
I can't believe the things I've done
And still you're standin' here beside me
The fool and the faithful one
[Chorus]
Oh hearts aren't made to break, they're made to love
The lyrics to Lee Greenwood's "Hearts Aren't Made to Break in 2" highlight the fragility and power of the human heart. The chorus emphasizes the intense pain when someone's heart is broken and the empathy that is felt towards the person who is going through it. However, the chorus also emphasizes that hearts are not designed to break, but rather, they are designed to love. The vulnerability of the heart is acknowledged but it is also recognized that love is the true nature of the heart.
The first verse addresses the singer's thoughts about his past mistakes in a relationship. He admits that he took his partner for granted and left her heart hanging on the line. The second verse shows how the partner refused to give up on the singer even after being hurt. The third verse reflects the singer's realization that he has been wrong all along and that love is finally getting to him.
Overall, the lyrics highlight the complexity of relationships, the fragility of the heart, and the importance of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh it tears me up when you go all to pieces
It saddens me deeply to see you falling apart
Your cryin' eyes say you've been hurt enough
Your eyes that are filled with tears reveal the pain that you are going through
Tryin' hard don't always make it easy
Putting in the effort is not always enough to make things easier
Cause hearts aren't made to break, they're made to love
Hearts are built to love, not to be broken
Lately all I do is think about you
My thoughts are continuously consumed by you
It's weighin' like a stone inside my mind
It burdens me heavily and feels like a heavy stone in my mind
I know I've taken you for granted
I am aware that I have not truly appreciated you
And left your heart hangin' on the line
I have neglected your feelings and left your emotions vulnerable
Your love is finally gettin' to me
Your love is affecting me deeply and making me realize my mistakes
I can't believe the things I've done
I am unable to believe my own actions and how they have affected you
And still you're standin' here beside me
Despite everything, you continue to stand by my side
The fool and the faithful one
I have acted foolishly while you have remained faithful
Oh hearts aren't made to break, they're made to love
Hearts are built to love, not to be broken
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER MURRAH, STEVE DEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@84dunlap84
Wow I wish country music was still like this.
@mroldmusic1
I agree with you.
@TxAmber78
Me too!!
@laquitamitchell499
Love this I wish everyone would go BK and remember this
@mroldmusic1
It is a great country song and one of his best
@willieboy3011
That first verse really gets me, both the music and the image.
@mouseygilliam136
HEARTS AREN'T MADE TO BREAK--SO DAMN TRUE.
@mroldmusic1
you are right!.
@theunknown4570
So glad i grew up in the 80s. Best music and movie decade ever.
@mroldmusic1
I agree!