"Then you compounded the tragedy by listing that piece of dripping schlock 'Proud to be an American.'"
I have to protest that statement, I think that is a great song. "And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free..."
Thanks! There was a story behind it, as with some others I posted. I was traveling around with Lee Greenwood and some other stars promoting a series of concerts at the time the song became popular.
One of our "stops" was an appearance at the Republican National Convention in Dallas. It didn't matter how many times I heard him sing it, my eyes welled up every time -- and when you're in a place like that, or my hometown/city at the time, where literally *everyone* DOES "stand up" when he sings, "I'd gladly STAND UP next to you and defend her still today" - believe me, you'd STAND UP, too, for the men who died who gave that right to you!
I probably should not have written the song title that way, though, because I was just humming opening verses to myself. I *should* have written
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!!!
I think the sentiment expressed in the song is beautiful. I think the song itself is, musically-speaking,...well,...crap. ;-)