In 1984, singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood didn’t overthink it when he added a catchy and inspiring song about his love for America at the end of his upbeat third studio album, You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’. Forty years later, “God Bless the USA” is a classic patriotic pop song, fitting easily next to “The Star-Spangled Banner” or “This Land Is Your Land” at a public event. Though Greenwood continued to make music across the spectrum of country music, American standards have become one of his specialties, and this year, Greenwood’s 1992 album of them, American Patriot, is getting its first release on vinyl.
A younger generation might only know Greenwood for his recent appearances alongside President Donald Trump, but the singer and songwriter, now 81, has been performing for political figures of both parties since the days of Ronald Reagan. Though he appreciates the cosign from Trump on the God Bless the USA Bible—the one that just so happened to fulfill all the requirements for the Oklahoma state superintendent’s recent Bible order that Greenwood says he hasn’t heard of—he told Vanity Fair in a recent video call that his interest is in American unity, not activism. (Superintendent Ryan Walters later amended his Bible request; it no longer requires the Bibles to include US historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which very few Bibles include but appear in the God Bless the USA Bible.)
Vanity Fair: It’s been 40 years since that song, and the whole You’ve Got a Good Love Coming album, which is a favorite of mine. Not everybody did as well at capturing the ’80s!
Lee Greenwood: When I signed with MCA, on the label was Reba McEntire, George Strait, the 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 immediately, just like all the other acts, and we did 300 days a year on the road.I became very familiar with the fiber of America. That maybe has had a lot to do with “God Bless the USA,” and who I am.
What was it like singing the song this weekend at the Trump rally?
I think I was captured by the spirit of the audience. I’ve sung for Trump many times. I’ve sung for many Presidents—10, to give you an overview. Five Presidents twice at the Reagan Library opening. Reagan, Nixon, Carter, Ford, and Bush. Then, at Texas A&M for hurricane relief, Obama, Clinton, Carter, and both Bush presidents. So I’m comfortable being on stage with the leader of the free world.
Now former President Trump is not currently in office, but he still deserves the respect. Because of the assassination attempt—and I wasn’t there for that particular event—but this time returning to Butler, it was electric. The people adore him, and moreover, they just were so proud that he was defiant. That somebody would actually not just try to take somebody down politically, but to actually physically try to kill him, I’d say that that bothered me.
Did you meet Elon Musk?
It was funny—I’m in the holding room, and I’d said hello to Eric Trump and his wife, [Lara Trump], and [Michael Whatley], the head of the RNC happened to be there as well. If you can imagine, that’s the gathering of the eagles, and Musk walked right past me with three of his henchmen and did not give me a look! I wasn’t about to say, Excuse me, can I say hi?
Have you met JD Vance?
No, I haven’t met the vice presidential nominee yet, but I hope to. You know, I would like to meet all of the candidates to tell you the truth. Somebody asked me the other day if it would be okay if Kamala Harris used “God Bless the USA”? And I said, Well, she needs to ask me in person.
That song seems like such a turning point in your career. Did it feel that way? I know it took a little while for it to really take off.