God Bless the USA
Encyclopedia
"God Bless the USA" is an American
patriotic song
written and recorded by country music
ian Lee Greenwood
. The first Greenwood album it appears on is 1984's You've Got a Good Love Comin'
. It reached No. 7 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles
chart when originally released in the spring of 1984, and was played at the 1984 Republican National Convention
with President Ronald Reagan
and first lady Nancy Reagan
in attendance, but the song gained greater prominence during the Gulf War
in 1990 and 1991, as a way of boosting morale.
The popularity of the song rose sharply since the September 11, 2001 attacks and during the 2003 invasion of Iraq
, and the song was re-released as a single, re-entering the country music charts at #16. The song was also re-recorded in 2003 and released as "God Bless the USA 2003". The song could often be heard on the radio after those events, and versions of the song are widely distributed online. Lee Greenwood also wrote a Canadian version of this song called God Bless Canada. The song also rose up in popularity in May of 2011 when Osama bin Laden was killed
by an American raid in Pakistan.
The reason behind the cities chosen in the song Greenwood says, "I'm from California
, and I don't know anybody from Virginia
or New York
, so when I wrote it—and my producer and I had talked about it -- [we] talked about the four cities I wanted to mention, the four corners of the United States. It could have been Seattle or Miami but we chose New York
and L.A.
, and he suggested Detroit and Houston because they both were economically part of the basis of our economy – Motown and the oil industry, so I just poetically wrote that in the bridge."
was released for this song in 1984, depicting Greenwood as a farmer who loses the family farm. The video was produced and edited by L.A. Johnson and directed by Gary Burden. A second video was released in 1991 and was directed by Edd Griles
. A third music video was also released after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
chart for the week of May 26, 1984.
finalists was released as a single with part of the proceeds going to American Red Cross and raised $155,000 for the charity. It was certified gold by the RIAA in 2003. American Idol Season 7
participant Kristy Lee Cook
performed the song on the show and later re-recorded it for her major label debut album, Why Wait. It was also covered by Christian
band Jump5
for their album, Jump5
. America's Got Talent
third season
winner Neal E. Boyd
released this song as his single for his debut album My American Dream
. Again, following the death of bin Laden, patriotism was spreading throughout the whole country, and R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles
re-released her 2008 cover of the song, the proceeds of which will go to charity. American Idol
eighth season
winner Kris Allen
performed the song on May 29, 2011 for the 2011 National Memorial Day Concert. During that performance, Allen shook hands with U.S. Military servicemen who were present at the concert.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
patriotic song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
written and recorded by country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
ian Lee Greenwood
Lee Greenwood
Melvin Lee Greenwood is an American country music artist. Active since the early 1980s, he has released more than twenty major-label albums and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billboard country music charts....
. The first Greenwood album it appears on is 1984's You've Got a Good Love Comin'
You've Got a Good Love Comin'
You've Got a Good Love Comin' is a studio album by Lee Greenwood released on May 17, 1984. It was certified Gold.-Side One:# "You've Got a Good Love Comin'" - 2:53...
. It reached No. 7 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart when originally released in the spring of 1984, and was played at the 1984 Republican National Convention
1984 Republican National Convention
The 1984 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States convened on August 20 to August 23, 1984, at Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas, Texas. The convention nominated the incumbent Ronald Reagan of California for President of the United States and incumbent George H. W...
with President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
and first lady Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan
Nancy Davis Reagan is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989....
in attendance, but the song gained greater prominence during the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
in 1990 and 1991, as a way of boosting morale.
The popularity of the song rose sharply since the September 11, 2001 attacks and during the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
, and the song was re-released as a single, re-entering the country music charts at #16. The song was also re-recorded in 2003 and released as "God Bless the USA 2003". The song could often be heard on the radio after those events, and versions of the song are widely distributed online. Lee Greenwood also wrote a Canadian version of this song called God Bless Canada. The song also rose up in popularity in May of 2011 when Osama bin Laden was killed
Death of Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Laden, then head of the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda, was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, shortly after 1 a.m. local time by a United States special forces military unit....
by an American raid in Pakistan.
Background and writing
Greenwood said that he "wanted to write it my whole life. When I got to that point, we were doing 300 days a year on the road, and we were on our fourth or fifth album on MCA. I called my producer, and I said I have a need to do this. I've always wanted to write a song about America, and I said we just need to be more united."The reason behind the cities chosen in the song Greenwood says, "I'm from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and I don't know anybody from Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
or New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, so when I wrote it—and my producer and I had talked about it -- [we] talked about the four cities I wanted to mention, the four corners of the United States. It could have been Seattle or Miami but we chose New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and L.A.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and he suggested Detroit and Houston because they both were economically part of the basis of our economy – Motown and the oil industry, so I just poetically wrote that in the bridge."
Music video
A music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was released for this song in 1984, depicting Greenwood as a farmer who loses the family farm. The video was produced and edited by L.A. Johnson and directed by Gary Burden. A second video was released in 1991 and was directed by Edd Griles
Edd Griles
Edd Griles is an American television producer and music video director.-Early life:He was born to Pearl "Corky" Griles and Daniel Griles in New York City, and was raised in Astoria and Flushing, Queens.-Career:After graduating from School of Visual Arts in New York City, Griles began his...
. A third music video was also released after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Chart positions
"God Bless the USA" debuted on the Hot Country Singles & TracksHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart for the week of May 26, 1984.
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs | 7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 26 |
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs | 16 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 16 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 12 |
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
| U.S. Hot Digital Songs | 66 |
Other versions
A cover performed by the American Idol Season 2American Idol (Season 2)
The second season of American Idol premiered on January 21, 2003 and continued until May 21, 2003. The title of show was shortened from American Idol: The Search for a Superstar of Season 1 to just American Idol. Brian Dunkleman quit after the first season, and Seacrest therefore became the lone...
finalists was released as a single with part of the proceeds going to American Red Cross and raised $155,000 for the charity. It was certified gold by the RIAA in 2003. American Idol Season 7
American Idol (season 7)
The seventh season of American Idol, the annual reality show and singing competition, began on January 15, 2008 and concluded on May 21, 2008. Ryan Seacrest continued to host the show with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returning as judges...
participant Kristy Lee Cook
Kristy Lee Cook
Kristy Lee Cook is an American country singer who was born in Seattle, Washington and was the seventh place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol. In 2005 Cook released her debut album called Devoted. In June 2008, Cook signed to 19 Recordings and Arista Nashville. She released her...
performed the song on the show and later re-recorded it for her major label debut album, Why Wait. It was also covered by Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
band Jump5
Jump5
- History :Siblings Brandon and Brittany Hargest had competed on the same dance team as Lesley Moore, and were familiar with Chris Fedun and Libby Hodges through the competitive dance circuit. The mother of Hodges held an open casting call to find additional members to form a new pop group with her...
for their album, Jump5
Jump5 (album)
Jump5 is the self-titled debut album from Christian pop group Jump5. It was released on August 14, 2001 through Sparrow Records. It was re-released twice: first with the bonus track "Start Jumpin'" and then, after the events of September 11th, 2001, with a Radio Disney remixed version of "Start...
. America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent is an American reality television series on the NBC television network, and part of the global British Got Talent franchise. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of...
third season
America's Got Talent (season 3)
The third season of America's Got Talent, an American television reality show talent competition, premiered on MediaCorp Channel 5 on September 3, 2008. Opera singer Neal E. Boyd was named the winner on January 28, 2009....
winner Neal E. Boyd
Neal E. Boyd
Neal E. Boyd is an American pop opera singer. He is best known as the 2008 winner of America's Got Talent.-Early life:Neal E. Boyd, known worldwide as "The Voice of Missouri," grew up in Sikeston, Missouri...
released this song as his single for his debut album My American Dream
My American Dream
My American Dream is the debut studio album released by Neal E. Boyd on June 23, 2009.-Background:After Neal won the third season of America's Got Talent, Neal was signed to Decca Records...
. Again, following the death of bin Laden, patriotism was spreading throughout the whole country, and R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
re-released her 2008 cover of the song, the proceeds of which will go to charity. American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
eighth season
American Idol (season 8)
The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson continued to judge the show's contestants, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. The season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol...
winner Kris Allen
Kris Allen
Kristopher Neil "Kris" Allen is an American musician and singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the eighth season of American Idol...
performed the song on May 29, 2011 for the 2011 National Memorial Day Concert. During that performance, Allen shook hands with U.S. Military servicemen who were present at the concert.
External links
- [ Allmusic Entry]
- "God Bless the USA" Music Video