Lee Greenwood said Kamala can use “God Bless the USA”—but only if she asks directly
In 1984, singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood didn’t think too much when he added a catchy and inspirational song about his love for America at the end of his upbeat third studio album, You’ve got a good love coming your way. Forty years later, “God Bless the USA” is a classic patriotic pop song, easily up there with “The Star-Spangled Banner” or “This Land Is Your Land” at a public event. Although Greenwood continues to make music across a variety of country music genres, American standards have become one of his specialties, and this year, Greenwood’s 1992 album among them, American patriot, is being released for the first time on vinyl.
A younger generation may only know Greenwood because of his recent appearances with the President Donald Trump, but the singer and songwriter, now 81, has performed for political figures of both parties since the days of Ronald Reagan. Although he appreciates the cosign from Trump above God bless the American Bible—something that coincidentally meets all the requirements for the Oklahoma state superintendent’s recent biblical injunction that Greenwood said he had never heard of—he said Vanity fair in a recent video call that his concern is American unity, not activism. (Manager Ryan Walters later revised his Bible claim; it no longer requires that the Bible include historical American documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, documents that very few Bibles include but appear in God bless the American Bible.)
Vanity Fair: It’s been 40 years since that song, and the whole thing You are about to have a good love album, it’s a favorite album of mine. Not everyone succeeds in capturing the 80s!
Lee Greenwood: When I signed the contract with MCA, it said on the label Reba McEntire, George Strait, Oak Ridge Boys and Barbara Mandrell. I’m from the West Coast so I’m an outsider in Nashville. I’ve always been an outsider. I started touring right away, like all the other artists, and we were touring 300 days a year. I have become very familiar with America’s fiber. That probably has a lot to do with “God Bless the USA” and who I am.
How did it feel to sing this song this weekend at a Trump rally?
I think I was attracted by the spirit of the audience. I’ve sung for Trump many times. I have sung for many Presidents—10, to give you an overview. Five two-time Presidents at the opening of the Reagan Library. Reagan, Nixon, Carter, Ford and Bush. Then, at Texas A&M for hurricane relief, Obama, Clinton, Carter, and both bush presidents. So I feel comfortable standing on stage with the leader of the free world.
Former President Trump is no longer in office but he still deserves respect. Because of the assassination – and I wasn’t at that particular event – but this time going back to Butler, things were eventful. People admired him, moreover, they were so proud that he challenged him. The fact that someone would actually not only try to take someone down politically, but actually try to kill him physically, I have to say, that upsets me.
Have you met Elon Musk?
It’s funny – I was in the waiting room and said hello Eric Trump and his wife, [Lara Trump], And [Michael Whatley], the head of the RNC happened to be there. If you can imagine, it was a gathering place for eagles, and Musk walked past me with his three henchmen and didn’t even look at me! I wasn’t about to say, Sorry, can I say hello?
Have you met JD Vance?
No, I haven’t met the vice presidential candidate yet, but I hope to. You know, I want to meet all the candidates to tell you the truth. The other day someone asked me if it was okay if Kamala Harris used “God Bless the USA”? And I said, Yeah, sure, but she needs to ask me directly.
That song seemed like a turning point in your career. Does it feel the same? I know it will take a while for it to really take off.
