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Keith Wallin (@onefortheroad) |

Greenwood wrote this in 1983 as a patriotic song about his country, which he clearly loves. It was never a big hit, but it quickly became Greenwood's signature song. Many conservative politicians, including George Bush, have used it in their campaigns, and it became popular again in 1991 when the US went to war with Iraq. The song got a lot of airplay after September 11, 2001, as patriotism became a priority in America.
Greenwood explained to The Boot the inspiration behind this song: "I 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.
When I put it on stage, I think it was the fall of '83, I put it in the middle of the show just as a brand-new song. Wow, it was like the audience jumped up, and they were applauding. It helps to have a career that is really exploding to bring a song to bear that is palpable. I did it for about two weeks like that and then I had to put it at the end of the show as an encore. I couldn't follow it.
When I was with the Top 4 Band in Comiso, Sicily in the late 80s, this song was included in the last set close to the end of our show. We were playing to American Military and I can tell you, everybody in the room knew the lyrics by heart and would sing along with us.
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Cash:
@onefortheroad ..... a great sing Keith, God bless America.. w wonderful sing awesome
May 29th 2022, 6:06 pm Report
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Bev:
@onefortheroad Hi Keith. I've always loved this song. You did a wonderful job singing this. Loved my listen today. ♥♫
May 30th 2022, 10:11 am Report
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admin:
@onefortheroad And God bless you my friend. Wonderful sing. ❤
May 30th 2022, 2:26 pm Report
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Jerry:
@onefortheroad Why should He bless the USA? We've kicked Him out of our schools, our legislation, our congress, our city governments and we've approved the murder of over 70 million babies that He gave us. No, we need to ask Him to revive each of us so we can once again be a Christian nation. I apologize if my rant offends! God cannot be 'untrue' to Himself and He never changes to make us happy and prosperous. As to your song, it is a beauty...you can and do sing them all beautiuflly!
May 31st 2022, 6:37 am Report
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Keith Wallin:
@cash Thanks, Cash! Appreciate the listen and the kudos. I love singing this patriotic song. I have sung it, publicly, over a hundred times. Glad you enjoyed my rendition. Give Sharon a big hug from me. Have a great night, you guys.....:-)
May 31st 2022, 7:21 pm Report
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Keith Wallin:
@bevb Thanks, Bev! Appreciate ya....:-)
May 31st 2022, 7:21 pm Report
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Keith Wallin:
@admin God Bless you too, Kelly! I Love singing this song. Glad you enjoyed my performance. Hope your week is off to a terrific start....:-)
May 31st 2022, 7:23 pm Report
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Keith Wallin:
@jerry We both know that our country is in a terrible mess created by all of us who live here......from the ones that do and say nothing about it.....to the politicians we elect that are only interested in lining their pockets and trying to make life more miserable for the rest of us. But, with everything that is going bad, I still would not want to live anywhere else. Here, you are able to express your religious beliefs and talk down the government without being shot. That's a huge plus..:-
May 31st 2022, 7:55 pm Report
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Brad Mayo:
Keith, you have chosen probably one of the most difficult acts to follow because of the mark that Lee has put on this song. Your rendition is absolutely great and each and every time I hear this song, I want to stand and applaud. This is like an unofficial national anthem but is as recognizable or more so, than the official anthem of our country. With all her faults, she is still the greatest nation that has existed since time began. Thanks for sharing.
Jun 2nd 2022, 7:19 am Report
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Keith Wallin:
@starlyter Hi, Brad! Thank you so very much for your wonderful commentary. I spent 20 years in the USAF. I sing this song form the bottom of my heart because I truly believe the message within the lyrics that tells us no matter what the rest of the world throws at us, we are still the land of the free and the home of the brave. That may sound corny to some but, I wholeheartedly believe that! Keep the faith, bro.....:-)
Jun 2nd 2022, 5:23 pm Report
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Brad Mayo:
@onefortheroad Likewise, I did 20 in USAF too. Retired 33 years ago but the feelings this song brings are goosebumps. The only way to describe it. Not corny at all. :)
Jun 3rd 2022, 4:42 am Report
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Keith Wallin:
@starlyter I went in in May 26, 1970 and retired 1 Dec 1990. I was a Titan II Crew Member, A Titan II Maintenance Officer, A Minuteman III CDB Launch Officer and a GLCM Field Maintenance Supervisor. Even though I loved serving during my career, after 20, it was time to get out. Too many people worried about their careers more so than exhibiting leadership qualities during an emergency.
Jun 4th 2022, 3:34 pm Report
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