“I Watched Him Every Single Night”: The Elvis Anthem That Sparked Lee Greenwood’s $10 Million Patriotic Masterpiece

When Lee Greenwood wrote “God Bless the U.S.A.” in 1983, he created one of the most enduring patriotic anthems in American history — a song that would comfort a nation through war, tragedy, and triumph. Yet few know that its spark came from another legend — Elvis Presley, and his show-stopping Las Vegas performance of “An American Trilogy.”

Greenwood’s heartfelt homage to the King’s musical power didn’t just inspire a song. It became a multimillion-dollar legacy — an anthem that defined his career and helped shape the soundtrack of American resilience.

The Source of Inspiration: Elvis’s “An American Trilogy”

During the 1970s, before Greenwood’s Nashville breakthrough, he was performing on the same Nevada circuit where Elvis reigned supreme. Greenwood recalled sneaking into Elvis’s shows in Las Vegas just to hear one particular song — the medley that would close nearly every concert:

“An American Trilogy.”

This sweeping piece, arranged by Elvis and first released in 1972, combined three iconic songs drawn from America’s complex history:

• “Dixie” — a folk tune historically associated with the American South.
• “All My Trials” — a Bahamian lullaby and African-American spiritual that carries themes of hope and endurance.
• “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” — a Union anthem celebrating freedom and justice.

Elvis’s arrangement was more than a performance — it was a moment of unity. In combining these disparate songs, he offered an emotional reflection on America’s divisions and its potential for reconciliation.

“I watched him every single night,” Greenwood recalled. “He’d close with American Trilogy, and I thought, if I ever get that kind of success, I’m going to do the Trilogy.”

From the King’s Inspiration to Nashville Creation

Years later, Greenwood found that moment of clarity on a lonely drive from Arkansas to Texas. The memory of Elvis’s finale lingered in his mind — the power, the emotion, the way audiences stood together as one.

“I thought, why don’t I just write my own?” Greenwood said.

That thought became “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Drawing from his own life — his grandparents’ struggles on their farm, his conversations with military veterans, and his own gratitude for the opportunities America had given him — Greenwood wrote the song that would become his defining work.

Released in 1984, the single found steady success, but its true cultural impact grew over time. It became a rallying cry during the Gulf War, a unifying anthem after September 11, and a mainstay at national events and political rallies.

The Power and Reach of a Patriotic Classic

Today, “God Bless the U.S.A.” has earned an estimated $10 million through recordings, royalties, and licensing — though Greenwood himself says the song’s real value lies in the way it connects people.

“It’s not about politics,” he often says. “It’s about pride — and gratitude.”

The song’s message of hope and unity continues to resonate across generations. From presidential inaugurations to Super Bowl halftime shows, Greenwood’s anthem remains an emotional touchstone for millions.

Two Legends, One Spirit of Unity

Elvis Presley’s “An American Trilogy” and Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” share a musical and emotional DNA — both born from moments of deep reflection on the meaning of American identity.

While Elvis used a medley of old songs to reflect on the country’s divisions and shared spirit, Greenwood distilled that same sentiment into an original composition that looked toward the future.

Both songs evoke the same timeless truth: that music, at its best, transcends boundaries — regional, cultural, or political — and reminds listeners of their shared humanity.

A Legacy Born from Inspiration

Decades after its creation, “God Bless the U.S.A.” remains a defining feature of Greenwood’s career — and a testament to the power of artistic influence. What began as a moment of awe in a Las Vegas showroom became a creative spark that produced one of the most recognized songs in modern American history.

From watching Elvis’s “An American Trilogy” in the glow of stage lights to writing his own anthem on a highway drive, Lee Greenwood turned admiration into inspiration — and inspiration into legacy.

Because sometimes, one song can change not just a career, but a country’s heart.