About The Song
“Where The Stars & Stripes & The Eagle Fly” was co-written by Aaron Tippin, Kenny Beard, and Casey Beathard, and recorded by Tippin. It was released on September 17, 2001, as a single following the September 11 attacks, though originally written for his 2000 album People Like Us but not included. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for one week, held off the top by Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” and reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Tippin’s first and only Top 20 entry.
The song was recorded in Nashville shortly after the attacks, produced by Tippin and Biff Watson. The track features Tippin’s strong vocals, with a patriotic country arrangement including guitars and drums, reflecting a post-9/11 sentiment. It runs approximately 3:45.
The lyrics express pride in American values and resilience, with lines like “I was born by God’s dear grace in an extraordinary place.” The song highlights symbols like the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell, written to honor the nation’s spirit, with all proceeds donated to the Red Cross for 9/11 relief, raising about $250,000.
The music video, directed by Deaton-Flanigen Productions, premiered in late 2001 and depicts New York City citizens amidst the World Trade Center ruins, aligning with the song’s patriotic theme. It received significant airplay on country music channels.
Upon release, “Where The Stars & Stripes & The Eagle Fly” charted for 29 weeks, debuting at No. 52 on September 29, 2001, and peaking in December. It later appeared on Tippin’s 2002 album Stars & Stripes, which also included singles like “Love Like There’s No Tomorrow.”
Tippin, born on July 3, 1958, in Pensacola, Florida, and raised in South Carolina, promoted the single with performances. After a songwriting career and RCA tenure, he signed with Lyric Street, where this hit marked his last Top Ten country single.
Video
Lyric
Well, if you ask me where I come from
Here’s what I tell everyone
I was born by God’s dear grace
In an extraordinary place
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle flyIt’s a big ol’ land with countless dreams
Happiness ain’t out of reach
Hard work pays off the way it should
Yeah, I’ve seen enough to know that we’ve got it good
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle flyThere’s a lady that stands in a harbor for what we believe
And there’s a bell that still echoes the price that it cost to be free
I pledge allegiance to this flag
And if that bothers you, well, that’s too bad
But if you got pride and you’re proud you do
Hey, we could use some more like me and you
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle flyYes, there’s a lady that stands in a harbor for what we believe
And there’s a bell that still echoes the price that it cost to be free
No, it ain’t the only place on earth
But it’s the only place that I prefer
To love my wife and raise my kids
Hey, the same way that my daddy did
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly