God Bless the U.S.A.

Greenwood wrote "God Bless the U.S.A." in response to his feelings about the shooting down of Korean Air Lines Flight 007. He 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." Greenwood performed the song prior to Game 4 of the 2001 World Series. ==Content==

In the song, the singer sings about how, if he were to lose everything he had and had to start again from scratch, he would do it in the United States because he believes his freedom is guaranteed in America. He remembers how other Americans in history had died to secure this freedom, and declares that if he is ever called upon to defend the US today, he will gladly stand up and fight because he loves the country. ==Music video==

A music video 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, also on VHS, and was directed by Edd Griles. A third music video was also released after the September 11, 2001, attacks. A fourth music video in collaboration with U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants and a cappella group Home Free was released on June 30, 2020. ==Personnel==

Adapted from liner notes. • Pete Bordonali - electric guitar • Steve Gibson - acoustic guitar • Lee Greenwood - lead vocals • David Hungate - bass guitar • Bobby Ogdin - keyboards • Cindy Richardson - background vocals • Hargus "Pig" Robbins - piano • Lisa Silver - background vocals • James Stroud - drums • Diane Tidwell - background vocals • Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers - background vocals (uncredited) ==Chart history==

"God Bless the U.S.A." debuted on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of May 26, 1984. ==Certifications==

Canadian version In 1989, Greenwood released a Canadian version of this song called "God Bless You, Canada". Jump5 version Pop group Jump5 covered the song for the September 11 attacks in October 2001, altering some of the lyrics: "I thank my lucky stars" became "I thank my God above" to reflect the group's Christian values, and "I had to start again with just my children and my wife" became "I had to start again with just my family by my side". Dolly Parton version Dolly Parton recorded the song for her 2003 patriotic album, For God and Country. Altering the lyric: "And I had to start again with just my children and my wife" to "And I had to start again with just my family by my side". American Idol finalists' version In 2003, the song was performed by the American Idol season two finalists and released as a single, with part of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross. It raised $155,000 for the charity. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was certified gold by the RIAA the same year. Beyoncé version Again, following the death of Osama bin Laden, Beyoncé re-released her 2008 cover of the song, the proceeds of which would go to charity. She performed the song on Piers Morgan Tonight on May 5, 2011. After the performance, her version was released as a single to the iTunes Store. In a statement she said, "I cannot think about anything more appropriate to do to help these families ... Almost 10 years [after 9/11], it is still so painful for all Americans, especially those who lost loved ones. We were all affected by the tragedies of 9/11 and continue to keep the families who lost loved ones close to our hearts ..." Dan Martin of The Guardian felt that the cover was "in contrast" to her last intervention in national affairs, the Let's Move! Flash Workout fitness initiative. She later also performed the song for the concert she had on July 4, 2011, along with "Best Thing I Never Had" (2011). Nick Neyland of Prefix Magazine commented that "Beyoncé is a natural fit for occasions like this, and she doesn't even break a sweat as she hits the high notes despite the soaring temperatures and humidity in the city. That's the mark of a true pro." In Beyoncé's version, the end of the second verse is sung "And it's time to make a change", as well as changing, "If I had to start again with just my children and my wife" to "family by my side." Home Free version Country a cappella group Home Free has been performing the song ever since the band's inception in 2000, and released an official music video on July 22, 2016. As of July 11, 2025, the music video has amassed over 15 million views on YouTube. In 2020, Home Free worked in the studio with Greenwood and re-recorded the song with him and the United States Air Force Band Singing Sergeants. The music was released on July 1 on Home Free's channel. Rock version Greenwood released a rock version of the song with fellow country artist Drew Jacobs on November 1, 2024, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song and the victory of Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election. The song opened at number two on Billboards Digital Song Sales chart following the election. =="God Bless The U.S.A." Bible==

In 2024, Greenwood and President Donald Trump collaborated to release themed King James Bibles "inspired by" the song. Each Bible includes "the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as a handwritten chorus of the famous Greenwood song". The associated website claims that the Bible is "not political" or linked to his 2024 presidential campaign, but also describes it as the only Bible endorsed by Trump. ==See also==