Lee Greenwood famously penned his iconic song “God Bless the USA” one night on the back of his tour bus in 1983, setting the stage for what would become America’s secondary national anthem. This story, which Greenwood himself confirmed in a 2013 interview coinciding with the launch of the celebratory Lee Greenwood: American Patriot exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, reveals a deeper narrative behind this patriotic classic.
Lee Greenwood recalls, “Well, it wasn’t overnight. I had thought about it for a long time. See, I lived in Las Vegas for almost 19 years. And while I was there, of course, I watched significant performers – particularly Elvis, who worked in the same hotel that I did. And I would see him perform ‘An American Trilogy’ at the end of his show. I saw how moving it could be to have that kind of impact with that kind of a closer.”
Greenwood’s inspiration for the song was more than a fleeting muse; it was a lifelong mission to unite America. His reflections reveal a poignant backdrop of his experiences in Las Vegas and the lasting impact of the Vietnam War era on his artistic vision.
“My other inspiration was to unite America, which was a goal of mine since I was a boy. I’d written a closer for a show I had in Vegas years ago called ‘America.’ And it was kind of anti-government, because it was about Vietnam. I did not serve in the military, but I lived through that era. And like the rest of America, I thought, ‘We have to stop this war, and the killing of our young men and women.’ So that song was a forerunner to ‘God Bless the USA’ – but it wasn’t very positive.”
After years on tour, Greenwood gained a powerful realization about the unity woven through America’s rich tapestry of dialects and cultures, prompting him to compose a patriotic anthem that would resonate deeply across the nation. This heartfelt creation rapidly took shape, capturing the spirit of a country longing for hope and pride.
“God Bless the USA” garnered the prestigious 1985 CMA Song of the Year award and experienced remarkable resurgences on both country and pop charts during critical periods in American history—namely the 1990 Gulf War and the aftermath of the tragic events of 9/11. These moments rekindled the song’s powerful message of pride, unity, and freedom.
Greenwood remarked in 2013, “‘USA’ is the song I always felt the need to write. I wanted to have something that would unite Americans from coast to coast. I wanted to instill pride back in the United States. The song represents my family, my community and those men and women who have paid the price for the freedoms we all love and enjoy.”
The song’s lyrics tell a compelling story of resilience and gratitude, painting a vivid tribute from the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, plains of Texas, and shining shores from sea to sea. It honors the men and women who sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms so many cherish today.
This enduring anthem remains a poignant reminder of America’s shared values and the unbreakable spirit that unites its people under one flag. The legacy of Lee Greenwood’s patriotic masterpiece continues to echo through decades as a rallying cry that stirs the heart and soul of the nation.
