Not a country fan, but my dislike is simply because I think its rubbish. The lyrics would embarrass a 14 year old trying to write their first pop song, the tune is bland.
Listen to Ray Charles or Kathleen Smith, then listen to Greenwood. Sorry, but I think its pablum. And that you have great tunes a million miles better. Simply because its patriotic dosent make it great or even good.
(I KNOW, our modern national anthem in Scotland as opposed to Scotland the Brave is a second rate folk tune that I detest)
As to the Springsteen track, I am not a huge fan of his either (although I think his early albums are great), and I do like the track. The problem, rather famously, was and is that the air-pumping nature of the tune obscures the famously cynical lyrics. There was bemusement in the UK when it became a national anthem for the US circa 1984.
Complete disconnect between the lyrics and the tune, the former as you say are reflections of a young man who's sorry for himself and his dead friends, whereas the music is uplifting, even triumphant. Split personality, perhaps, in the composer who, if he intended to counterpoint his tune with his down lyrics, misjudged the times and his audience.
You can not compare Ray Charles with Lee Greenwood. They are both completely different singers. It’s like you are comparing Apples to Oranges. I am not familiar with Kathleen Smith, I thought at first you meant Kate Smith, but I don’t think so