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.
The Great Defenders
Lee Greenwood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We count on you bein' there
24 hours around the clock
Protectin' us everywhere
The more I get around this world
The more I realize
That the greatest force found anywhere
Is right before my eyes
(Go) Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines (Hooah!)
You're the greatest show of strength
This world has ever seen
Coast Guard, National Guard
Along with the Reserves
We salute our Nations best
Standing ready Proud to Serve
You're the Great Defenders of the U.S.A.
You're the Great Defenders, workin' while we play
Champions of freedom
This song goes out to you
You're the Great Defenders of the red, white and blue
There's pride when you display our colors
Keep your promise true
If someone messes with Old Glory
They have to answer to you
And the more I get around this world
The more I realize
That the greatest force found anywhere
Is right before my eyes
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines ( (Hooah!)
You're the greatest show of strength
This world has ever seen
Coast Guard, National Guard
Along with the Reserves
We salute our Nations best
Standing ready Proud to Serve
You're the Great Defenders of the U.S.A.
You're the Great Defenders, workin' while we play
Champions of freedom
This song goes out to you
You're the Great Defenders of the red, white and blue
You're the Great Defenders of the U.S.A.
You're the Great Defenders of the U.S.A.
The lyrics to Lee Greenwood's song "The Great Defenders" express admiration and gratitude for the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces. The opening verse highlights the nature of their work, defending the country against threats both foreign and domestic, around the clock. The singer then acknowledges that the more he travels around the world, the more he appreciates the sacrifice and dedication of these servicemembers. In the chorus, the various branches of the military are specifically mentioned and praised as "the greatest show of strength this world has ever seen." The song concludes with a celebration of the American flag and the role that these defenders play in safeguarding the country's freedom and values.
Overall, the song is a stirring tribute to the bravery and commitment of the men and women in uniform. The lyrics express a sense of national pride and appreciation for the sacrifices that these veterans and active-duty servicemembers make each day.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot spots brewing in a foreign land
There are problematic areas in other countries that require our attention.
We count on you bein' there
We rely on the military to be present and protective.
24 hours around the clock
The military is always working and available.
Protectin' us everywhere
Their job is to defend and safeguard us no matter where we are.
The more I get around this world
As I travel and experience different places,
The more I realize
I come to understand more deeply
That the greatest force found anywhere
That the most powerful force that exists
Is right before my eyes
Is the military, who I am able to see and acknowledge.
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines (Hooah!)
Each branch of the military, with their own unique culture and language.
You're the greatest show of strength
They are the most impressive display of might
This world has ever seen
That has ever existed on Earth.
Coast Guard, National Guard
Including the lesser-known branches of the military
Along with the Reserves
As well as the part-time members of the military.
We salute our Nations best
We honor and respect our country's top defenders.
Standing ready Proud to Serve
They are committed and prepared to serve their country.
You're the Great Defenders of the U.S.A.
They are the ones responsible to defending America.
You're the Great Defenders, workin' while we play
They are actively defending us while we are free to enjoy our daily lives.
Champions of freedom
They fight to defend our freedom.
This song goes out to you
This song is dedicated to them.
There's pride when you display our colors
The American flag is a symbol of pride for the military.
Keep your promise true
They are expected to protect America's promises and values.
If someone messes with Old Glory
If someone disrespects the American flag
They have to answer to you
The military will hold them accountable.
You're the Great Defenders of the red, white and blue
They are the ultimate protectors of America and its flag.
You're the Great Defenders of the U.S.A.
They hold the responsibility of defending America as a whole.
You're the Great Defenders of the U.S.A.
They hold the responsibility of defending America as a whole.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: DAN BRADLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tylernelson2024@gmail.com
on Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands
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