Long before “God Bless the U.S.A.” became his signature song, Lee Greenwood was making a name for himself in country music with a string of romantic ballads. But it wasn’t until November 1983 that the future Grammy winner finally scored his first No. 1 hit.
“Somebody’s Gonna Love You” topped Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart for one week on Nov. 12, 1983, marking the beginning of a remarkable run of success for the singer.
The milestone was especially notable because Greenwood had already been recognized as one of country music’s finest vocalists. Just a month earlier, he had won the Country Music Association’s Male Vocalist of the Year award, despite never having a No. 1 single.
And the song that finally took him to the top had a surprising connection to his early career.
Lee Greenwood’s First No. 1 Hit Came After Years of Trying to Break Through
Born in California in 1942, Greenwood spent years performing in clubs and casinos before finding success in Nashville. At one point, he worked as a blackjack dealer during the day while continuing to pursue his musical ambitions at night.
His big break came after he was discovered in Reno by Larry McFaden, a musician who worked with country star Mel Tillis. Greenwood subsequently signed with MCA Records and released his first charting single, “It Turns Me Inside Out,” in 1981.
The song had originally been intended for Kenny Rogers, who recorded it but ultimately passed on releasing it. Producer Jerry Crutchfield recognized Greenwood’s potential and helped bring the song to the rising singer.
According to Tom Roland’s “Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits,” Crutchfield recalled that he wasn’t entirely sure how to approach Greenwood’s distinctive voice at first.
“I couldn’t quite decide how to approach this,” the producer explained, adding that he wanted to find the right material for the singer.
“It Turns Me Inside Out” eventually reached No. 17 on Billboard’s country chart and spent an impressive 22 weeks in the Top 100. Greenwood followed it with additional hits, including “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands,” “She’s Lying” and “I.O.U.”
By the fall of 1983, he had established himself as a major talent, but the top spot on the country chart continued to elude him.
The Romantic Ballad That Finally Took Lee Greenwood to No. 1
Written by Don Cook and Rafe VanHoy, “Somebody’s Gonna Love You” was a tender love song that showcased Greenwood’s rich, expressive voice.
The recording also benefited from an unusual arrangement suggested by VanHoy’s wife Deborah Allen, who was herself a country singer and songwriter.
Roland’s book notes that Allen suggested the dreamy vocal arrangement used on the demo before the song was submitted to Crutchfield. Greenwood immediately connected with the material.
“Jerry basically chose all the songs for us and would send them to me to see if I liked them or not,” Greenwood recalled. “Instantly, I liked that record.”
He compared the song’s musical approach to the style of pop singer James Taylor, whose recordings he admired.
Released as the title track from Greenwood’s 1983 album Somebody’s Gonna Love You, the single entered Billboard’s country chart on Aug. 20. Less than three months later, it reached No. 1, spending one week at the top.
The achievement opened the door to six more No. 1 country singles, including “Going, Going, Gone,” “Dixie Road” and “Don’t Underestimate My Love for You.”
Of course, Greenwood’s most recognizable recording was still to come.
In 1984, he released “God Bless the U.S.A.,” the patriotic song that would become his signature recording. Although it originally peaked at No. 7 on the country chart, the song found renewed popularity during major national events, eventually reaching No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
More than four decades after “Somebody’s Gonna Love You” became his first chart-topper, Greenwood’s career serves as a reminder that an artist’s biggest cultural legacy isn’t always tied to the song that first reached No. 1.
Related: 1980 Hit Knocked Willie Nelson Out of No. 1 46 Years Ago Today, Then Beat ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ for a Grammy
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