How Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the USA’ became the most patriotic song in America: ‘Never intended it to be a hit’

nypost.com:

Lee Greenwood is prepping for his busy season.The singer-songwriter will celebrate the 40th anniversary of his iconic anthem “God Bless the USA” – a love letter to the country – and at 81 years old, he has no plans to slow down.“We always joked, if I’m not singing somewhere on the Fourth of July, you might as well take the flag down,” Greenwood told The Post from a recording studio in Nashville ahead of his summer tour.Greenwood wrote his now-ubiquitous tearjerker – considered “the most recognized patriotic anthem in America,” with lyrics that include, “And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free” – after “feeling inspired” on the back of a tour bus some 40 years ago.

But he never thought it would take off the way it has.He’s earned the admiration of millions of Americans for the heart-rending tune, which he sang in front of then-President Ronald Reagan at the 1984 Republican National Convention.