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.
Lean Mean Lovin' Machine
Lee Greenwood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
AIN'T NO OTHER LIKE THE MOTHER OF MY CHILD
SHE DOESN'T THINK ABOUT THE LATEST STYLE
SHE'S NOT THE KIND YOU'D THINK WOULD
EVER DRIVE YOU WILD
BUT THERE'S A SIDE OF HER THAT NO ONE
ELSE CAN SEE
AND WHEN WE'RE ALL ALONE SHE SHOWS IT ALL TO ME
LEAN, MEAN, LOVIN' MACHINE
BETTER THAN THE CENTERFOLD IN ANY MAGAZINE
SHE'S MY LEAN, MEAN, LOVIN' MACHINE
SHE'S THE ANSWER TO THIS WORKIN' MAN'S DREAM
I SHAVE MY FACE AND STRAIGHTEN UP MY TIE
SHE WALKS ME TO THE DOOR AND KISSES ME GOODBYE
ALL DAY LONG MY MIND IS OCCUPIED
WITH EVERY DETAIL OF OUR LOVING LAST NIGHT
I KNOW THE GENTLE WIFE THAT WAITS AT HOME
JUST CAN'T WAIT TO GET HER MAN ALONE
AND TURN INTO A
LEAN, MEAN, LOVIN' MACHINE
BETTER THAN A CENTERFOLD IN ANY MAGAZINE
SHE'S MY LEAN, MEAN, LOVIN' MACHINE
SHE'S THE ANSWER TO THIS WORKIN' MAN'S DREAM
These lyrics from Lee Greenwood's "Lean Mean Lovin' Machine" describe the singer's appreciation for his partner, who despite not being a stereotypically "wild" or fashionable woman, has a hidden side that only appears when they are alone together. The singer praises her for being the mother of his child and having an angelic smile. He makes it clear that he spends his day thinking about their intimate moments the night before and looks forward to returning home to his "lean, mean, lovin' machine".
The song celebrates the idea of a working-class man finding fulfillment and joy at home with his partner, rather than seeking excitement elsewhere. It also challenges societal expectations of what a "sexy" or desirable woman looks like, recognizing that true attraction and happiness come from deeper qualities beyond superficial appearances. The lyrics exemplify the importance of genuine connection and intimacy in a relationship, rather than simply physical attraction.
Line by Line Meaning
MY BABY'S FACE IS LIKE AN ANGEL'S SMILE
My lover's face is radiant and beautiful.
AIN'T NO OTHER LIKE THE MOTHER OF MY CHILD
My partner is unique and irreplaceable as she is the mother of my child.
SHE DOESN'T THINK ABOUT THE LATEST STYLE
She is not concerned with current fashion trends.
SHE'S NOT THE KIND YOU'D THINK WOULD EVER DRIVE YOU WILD
She may not fit society's standard of the ideal woman, but she is irresistible to me.
BUT THERE'S A SIDE OF HER THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN SEE
My partner has a hidden side that only I am privileged to see.
AND WHEN WE'RE ALL ALONE SHE SHOWS IT ALL TO ME
When we are alone, she reveals her true self to me.
SHE TURNS INTO A LEAN, MEAN, LOVIN' MACHINE
In the privacy of our intimate moments, my partner becomes passionate and intense.
BETTER THAN THE CENTERFOLD IN ANY MAGAZINE
She is more attractive and alluring than any model in a magazine.
SHE'S MY LEAN, MEAN, LOVIN' MACHINE
My partner's passionate side is a source of joy and satisfaction to me.
SHE'S THE ANSWER TO THIS WORKIN' MAN'S DREAM
I am grateful to have her as my partner, as she makes my life complete.
I SHAVE MY FACE AND STRAIGHTEN UP MY TIE
I prepare myself for work, reminding myself of my commitment to my job and my family.
SHE WALKS ME TO THE DOOR AND KISSES ME GOODBYE
My partner shows her love and support by seeing me off to work.
ALL DAY LONG MY MIND IS OCCUPIED
Throughout the day, I can hardly focus on anything else but the passionate night I had with my partner.
WITH EVERY DETAIL OF OUR LOVING LAST NIGHT
Every detail of our intimate moments replays in my mind throughout the day.
I KNOW THE GENTLE WIFE THAT WAITS AT HOME
I am aware of the kind, gentle partner who eagerly awaits my return home.
JUST CAN'T WAIT TO GET HER MAN ALONE
She is excited to be reunited with me and experience our intimate moments once again.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@d.b.4201
Thank you for posting!
@d.b.4201
Always loved this song! Good musician! 👍👏👏👏👏👏