Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942 in South Gate, California) is an Ameri… Read Full Bio ↴Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942 in South Gate, California) is an American country pop singer and songwriter. He is best known for a string of Countrypolitan hits throughout the 1980s, as well as for his hit "God Bless the USA".
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.
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.
I Dont Mind The Thorns
Lee Greenwood Lyrics
Come let me hold you for awhile,
All you have to do is smile
And I'm yours again
I may not like some things you do
But they're all a part of you
And you're my best friend
(chorus)
I don't mind the cold
When I have a fire to warm me
I don't mind the rain
Cause it makes the flowers grow
I can take the bad times
When you wrap your love around me
I don't mind the thorns when you're the rose
Stay, we can work the whole thing out
That's what loves about
And I understand
You didn't mean the things you said
They're so easy to forget
When you take my hand
(repeat chorus)
If it was anybody else
I would be gone
But you're so beautiful to me
Oh that I keep on holding on
(repeat chorus)
Well, I don't mind the thorns, when you're the rose...
All you have to do is smile
And I'm yours again
I may not like some things you do
But they're all a part of you
And you're my best friend
(chorus)
I don't mind the cold
When I have a fire to warm me
Cause it makes the flowers grow
I can take the bad times
When you wrap your love around me
I don't mind the thorns when you're the rose
Stay, we can work the whole thing out
That's what loves about
And I understand
You didn't mean the things you said
They're so easy to forget
When you take my hand
(repeat chorus)
If it was anybody else
I would be gone
But you're so beautiful to me
Oh that I keep on holding on
(repeat chorus)
Well, I don't mind the thorns, when you're the rose...
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUSHING, YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
@kylecash8083
One of the most underrated singers ever. Most people think he’s a one hit wonder “God Bless the U.S.A” but Lee has a number of great songs.
@jimbotc2000
He does have many excellent songs, most especially including his Christmas album from 1985.. :-]
@uncasunga1800
Yes you are right
@raindancer3330
I'm reading mom's diary again and this song was written down. I'm certain she was crying her eyes out as I am right now. If you have hurt feelings things to hard for you to say or can't find a way to express yourself, leave a diary for your kids. This little book is a treasure to me and has helped me. The song is something that obviously touched her heart. I find myself in the same situation as mom. I thank God for giving me such an amazing mother. When mom was dying I went to the hospital and she was completely out of it, I left so down, I felt pulled inside out. I asked God just to give me one more day for her to be coherent so I could really tell her how I felt, we had talked before but I just wanted to make sure she knew. The next day came and it was incredible! Mom was thanking me! Of course I told her I'm the one who was blessed! God gave me one more chance.
@mandysimmons2769
This song was out when I was newly married in 1986 when everything was super charged newlywed drama and things were felt so deeply. My hubby and I had a huge fight and I'd gotten this record and I put it on and I made him listen to it. It helped us patch things up and we cried together and hugged and are still together. Now we are old and mellowed out and almost nothing is worth arguing about. It's not worth the energy. Changes...lol
@uncasunga1800
Nice!
@BloozeDaddy76
Ah, the good ole days of 80's country, back when guys who could really sing were still allowed on the radio....
@onlyme114
THIS is what a country love song sounds like. I have been a Lee Greenwood fan since his first song. What a voice !!!
@moe5589
My husband of 25 yrs dedicated this song as our song 27 yrs ago. It still brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. I will grow old with this man.
@jamieisabell1506
One of the best country singers of all time singing about what true Love is all about