‘Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly’

When Tippin’s single was excluded from an album, he later realized it had a ‘bigger purpose.’

Challenger, an American bald eagle, lands on the pitcher's mound before the game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs in 2009. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

When country singer Aaron Tippin helped finalize the track listing for his 2000 album “People Like Us,” he expected his label at the time, Lyric Street, to have no problem adding a patriotic number to the mix. He shared with music site Songfacts in 2016 that it’s a theme he’s never shied away from.

“I just always try to put something patriotic on my albums. But when we put together the album, for some reason the record label just didn’t think that was something they wanted to do.”

As an artist on a label, he didn’t have complete creative control over the project. After the label removed the patriotic track “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly” from the summer release, he wondered why it didn’t make the cut.

Then, a little more than a year later in September 2001, Tippin discovered why.

He talked about his realization with newspaper outlet USA Today in the fall of 2001.

“I didn’t know why it didn’t make the album,” he said.

“But now, I know exactly why it didn’t. It had a bigger purpose.”

A Song About ‘Living Free’

When Tippin heard about the terrorist attacks on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, he had just opened the firearms store he owned in DeKalb County, Tennessee, for the day.

While processing the events, he wondered what he could do to offer hope and healing to a country he loved so much—a country reeling from an unprecedented tragedy.

Days after the attacks, he was back in a place all too familiar, the music studio. This time, he was there to record the song that had been on his mind for over a year: “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly.”

Cover of Aaron Tippin's 2002 album "Stars and Stripes" featuring his hit single "Where the Stars And Stripes and the Eagle Fly." Internet Archive. Public Domain

Songs often take on new, universal meanings after they’re written, and this single certainly did so. Now sometimes simply referred to as “Fly,” Tippin had written the powerful patriotic anthem with seasoned Nashville songwriters Casey Beathard and Kenny Beard. The trio focused on penning uplifting lyrics for the song, with the first verse acting as a pick-me-up.

I was born by God’s dear grace In an extraordinary place Where the stars and stripes And the eagle fly

The upbeat song also features imagery of America’s treasured landmarks, like New York’s Statue of Liberty. After the single’s release, the song’s symbolic images of American pride especially registered with listeners.

In 2022, Tippin shared with local Tennessee radio station, WJLE, that he wanted to lift up his fellow Americans after 9/11.

“I wanted something that made Americans feel proud and good about themselves in that when times get tough you grab yourselves up by the bootstraps, get back up, and get back on with living free. That’s the kind of song I wanted to send to America,” he said.

Sharing His Love of America

On Sept. 17, 2001, Tippin released “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly” to country music listeners everywhere. While he hoped the song would act as a healing force for the nation, he didn’t anticipate how much people would embrace it.

Just weeks after its debut, it was the most-added song on playlists for country radio. It also climbed all the way to the second spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart, with Alan Jackson’s tender ballad “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” rising to No. 1.

Although Tippin’s 2001 single is his most successful release to date, he had struck a chord before with those who share his love of America and the freedom the country represents. In 1990, his debut single “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” became a hit as America fought in the Gulf War.

After the country performer hit his stride with “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly,” one reviewer of the single called it an “anthem of unwavering American pride.”

A Spirited Single

Aaron Tippin performing at Camp Ramadi, Iraq, during a tour of the country in November 2008, photographed by U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Joshua S. Higgins. Public Domain

Tippin and his label donated proceeds made from the single to the Red Cross as the nonprofit assisted families recovering from the 9/11 attacks. According to music industry magazine Billboard, former label president Randy Goodman confirmed they raised about $250,000 for the organization because of the spirited single.

These days, “Fly” remains an essential composition as part of country music’s longstanding tradition of patriotic anthems. Now, Tippin understands just how life-changing his label’s decision was to keep the poignant track off his 2000 “People Like Us” album.

“Obviously, it had a better place to live.”

What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [e-mail]