Analyzing a work of music - Essay Example

God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood. Lyrics Line If tomorrow all the things were gone, I’d worked for all my life Line 2: And I had to start again, with just my children and my wife Line 3: I’d thank my lucky stars, to be livin’ here today Line 4: ‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can’t take that away Line 5: And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free Line 6: And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me Line 7: And I’d gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today Line 8: ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A. Line 9: From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee Line 10: Across the plains of Texas, From sea to shining sea Line 11: From Detroit down to Houston, and New York to L.A. Line 12: Well there’s pride in every American heart, and it’s time we stand and say Line 13: That I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free Line 14: And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me Line 15: And I’d gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today Line 16: ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A. Line 17: And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free Line 18: And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me Line 19: And I’d gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today Line 20: ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A. USA flag site@2010 God bless the USA is an American patriotic song written and recorded by country music artist Lee Greenwood. It first appeared in his album You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’ that was released in the spring of 1984. It was placed at the 1984 Republican National Convention which was attended b president Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan. The song was used as a morale booster during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991 Background and writing Greenwood said that he “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.” The one event that finally made him finish on a song that he had desired to write the whole of his life was the Russia shooting down the Korean jet flying to Seoul from New York where 269 people, including 63 Americans, died. “I saw the senseless strike as a personal attack against our countrymen and it moved me to pen to paper” says Greenwood. “The song came so easily, it nearly wrote itself.” “I’m from California, and I don’t know anybody from Virginia or New York, so when I wrote it-and my producer and I had talked about it-[we] talked about the four cities I wanted to mention, the four corners of the United States.” The producer however suggested Detroit and Houston because they both were economically part of the basis of the US economy. He says ‘so I just poetically wrote that in the bridge while they chose New York and L.A. (the boot.com) In 2003, the song was performed b the American Idol season two finalists and released as a single, with part of the proceeds going to American Red Cross. It raised 155,000 dollars for the charity though some words were changed such as ‘men’ in ‘and I won’t forget the men who died” was replaced with ‘ones’. It reached number 4 in the ‘hot 100’ and it was certified gold b the RIAA the same year (Keuss, 03-45). The song has been in the top five on the country’s single charts three times, in 1991, 2001, and 2003 which distinguishes it as the only song in any music genre to hit that goal. Greenwood says “I’m a patriot and I love the country. I don’t think I’ve done a show –maybe one or two-that I have not done ‘God bless the USA. Along the way I’ve added other patriotic songs, some original, as a way to amplify patriotism and how we love our country,” he once said. The song keeps having different kinds of life,” Greenwood once told the Boot (the boot.com) a website that compiles news about country music and singers since during the gulf war it was a song of the war for Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf. After hurricane Katrina, it was a song for life and hope and after 9/11 it was a song of unity and rebuilding. Its popularity rose sharply as it paid the honor to the people who were lost in the September 11 2001 attacks and during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This is considered to be his signature song. It was motivated by Greenwoods (born in 1942) desire to write a song that celebrates USA. The four ‘corners’ New York, Los Angeles, Detroit and Houston metonymically represent the country as a whole. It achieved new popularity after the termination of Osama Bin Laden by US navy Seals in 2011. Several covers of the piece have produced substantial revenues for charities such as the American Red Cross and New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit fund. It takes the form of a prayer to God for blessing the nation and peace all over the world and is usually performed in important public evens e.g. baseball games, the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race or official celebrations of Memorial Day or Labor Day. The song is also used in more precise political context since it also became one of the recognition signs of Reagan’s presidency. Like other patriotic songs it is a soundtrack of the American nation. It has brought together Americans of all stripes since the magnificent experiment in democracy won independence from Britain about 234 years ago. the song speaks to us as only music can, evoking feelings of national favor despite its seemingly common place lyrics. The song is tuneful and memorable and easily sing able even by nonsingers. The song has vivid metaphors and images that transcend time and place. The song captures basic sentiments. The song makes us feel good about our country and has been over time accepted by the overwhelming majority of citizens to be a patriotic song. But like any other single musical statement it cannot fully represent a pluralistic society. The songs proudest lines are when he says “I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today/ ‘Cause there aint no doubt I love this land/God bless The USA Greenwood was trained in music theory in high school and can play several different kinds of instruments such as the saxophone. With his distinctive voice, insightful song writing and unparalleled showmanship, he has been audiences. The song is a good representation of the emotions that the majority of older and younger Americans who have served their country, feel. Though the song turned 30 years old in 2013 it still seems to hold the top spot on most lists about patriotic song. The song is part of the American cultural landscape. Work Cited Keuss, Jeffrey F. Your Neighbors Hymnal: What Popular Music Teaches Us About Faith, Hope, and Love. Eugene, Ore: Cascade Books, 2011. Print. Read More