Spangled Banner,” “ America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America” — all patriotic songs that celebrate America.

And I wanted some pomp and circumstance.” The anthemic recipe worked. When Greenwood released “God Bless the USA” as a single in 1984, the song topped out at No. 7 on the country charts.

How Lee Greenwood wrote "God Bless the USA" Lee Greenwood attends the 'America Salutes You' 2023 concert for gratitude at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on December 15, 2023.