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.
This Land Is Your Land
Lee Greenwood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me
As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
This land was made for you and me
[Chorus]
I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
[Chorus]
The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me
[Chorus]
As I was walkin' I saw a sign there
And that sign said "No tress passin'"
But on the other side, it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
[Chorus]
In the squares of the city, in the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office, I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.
[Chorus: x2]
Lee Greenwood's rendition of the classic song, This Land Is Your Land, starts with the resounding declaration, "This land is your land, this land is my land, from California, to the New York Island, from the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters, this land was made for you and me." The song begins with Greenwood walking on a road and admiring the natural beauty surrounding him - the endless skies above him, the golden valley beneath him. He wanders through deserts, wheat fields, and encounters different signs, including ones that tell him not to trespass.
Through the entire journey, Greenwood is reminded of the fact that this land is made for him and everyone else who calls America home. It's a song that celebrates the beauty and vastness of America as well as the shared sense of ownership that all people in the country feel. The song's message is about having equal rights and opportunities, where nobody is excluded.
Greenwood's version of this song is full of emotion and passion, serving as a reminder to listeners about the importance of maintaining a sense of unity, common purpose, and ownership. This is a sentiment that taps into the enduring spirit of the United States and why people continue to hold the country so dear.
Line by Line Meaning
This land is your land, this land is my land
This land belongs to all of us equally, regardless of race, creed, or background.
From California, to the New York Island
The message is not limited to just one area or coast. It applies to the entire United States.
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This has been true countrywide, from the lush forests and national parks to the beaches of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico.
This land was made for you and me
God created this beautiful and vast nation for all of us to enjoy equally.
As I was walking a ribbon of highway
The songwriter begins by describing a journey.
I saw above me an endless skyway
Even on the open road, there is no limit to what we can accomplish in this country.
I saw below me a golden valley
During this journey, the songwriter passed through lush and beautiful landscapes.
I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
The songwriter has enjoyed the freedom to move around the country.
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
The songwriter has experienced the diversity of the natural and geographical environment.
And all around me a voice was sounding
Along the way, the songwriter heard a voice speaking to him.
This land was made for you and me
This voice reiterated the message that the land belongs to everyone.
The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The song describes the joy of being alive on this beautiful land.
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
No matter the landscape, there is beauty to be found in every corner of the country.
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
Even in times of uncertainty or fear, there is always hope to be found.
This land was made for you and me
This is the message reiterated by the voice the songwriter hears.
As I was walkin' I saw a sign there
The songwriter relates a specific experience he had while walking.
And that sign said 'No tress passin'
The sign was a literal indication of societal boundaries or limitations being imposed.
But on the other side, it didn't say nothin!
Despite this indication of limitations, there is still a sense of freedom to be found in the country.
Now that side was made for you and me!
This side of the sign - the free, open side - is truly made for all of us, regardless of societal constraints or limitations.
In the squares of the city, in the shadow of the steeple
The song moves to describe the cityscape, where many people live and work.
Near the relief office, I see my people
The songwriter sees people just like him - hardworking, historically marginalized folks.
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
Some folks are voicing their displeasure or doubts about whether the country is still 'theirs.'
If this land's still made for you and me.
This is a reflection of the time and era in which the song was written, and serves as a call to action for equality and justice for all.
[Chorus: x2]
The chorus repeats, driving home the message of unity, equality, and shared ownership of this great country.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Woody Guthrie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tylernelson2024@gmail.com
on Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands
I love your songs