With a contract to Mercury Records (1975), McEntire began her professional career singing heavily pop-influenced ballads, a far cry from the neotraditionalist movement she would help lead a few years later.
"I Don't Want To Be A One Night Stand" became her first charting single in 1976. Her first Top 10 hit "(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven" followed four years later, and in 1982 she scored her first #1 hit with "Can't Even Get The Blues."
Frustrated at her limited commercial success, McEntire left Mercury and signed with MCA Records in 1984. 1984's "Just A Little Love" wasn't much different form her Mercury material and was only moderately successful. However, another album followed later that same year, titled "My Kind of Country." This was a return-to-roots record, complete with fiddles and steel. It was comprised largely of covers of classic country songs, as well as original songs such as "How Blue" and the Harlan Howard-penned "Somebody Should Leave", both of which reached #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
In the early 1990s McEntire expanded her audience by adopting a softer, more pop-oriented sound. She became one of the best-selling country artists of all time, releasing three volumes of greatest hits collections.
Since that first #1 hit in 1982, she's forked out 21 more chartbusters, which are all recapped on "Reba #1s" released on November 22nd, 2005. The 2-disc compilation features all 22 number one singles (according to Billboard magazine) in chronological order, including two new tracks "You're Gonna Be" and "Love Needs A Holiday." "Reba #1s" also contains 11 singles that reached the #1 spot in publications other than Billboard.
She won the Female Vocalist of the Year award from the Country Music Association four times in a row (a record she holds with Martina McBride), and had dozens of Top Ten hits during the 80s. For her contribution to the recording industry, Reba McEntire has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. In 1995, she was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
She is one of only six solo women (others include Shania Twain, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Taylor Swift), to win the Country Music Association's highest honor, "Entertainer Of The Year". McEntire continued to hit the charts through the 2000s, as well as appearing in television and film, most notably Tremors, a cult horror movie series, Forever Love, and One Night at McCool's. She also starred as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway, receiving critical acclaim.
From 2001 to 2007, Reba starred in the hit WB television show, Reba (with Texan actor Christopher Rich as her philandering ex-husband), even getting a visit from fellow country star Dolly Parton who played Reba's character's supervisor at a real estate firm.
A Christmas Letter
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An old man sits alone
It's Christmas Eve
And it's almost time to go
He signs his name to a letter he just wrote
Then he reads it back with a voice as soft as snow
I want peace on earth for Christmas
In a world where there's not one hungry child
They would hope and faith
Conquers fear and hate
All I'm asking for is a little more love
Then he walks outside
And he climbs up on his sleigh
And calls out to his reindeer
Off they fly away
Oh tonight he'll make a million dreams appear
While he wishes that his own dreams would come true this year
[Chorus]
That they would hope and faith
Conquers fear and hate
All I'm asking for is a little more love
The song “A Christmas Letter” by Reba McEntire tells a story about an old man sitting at an antique desk on Christmas Eve, signing his name to a letter he just wrote. In the letter, he expresses his wish for peace on earth and an end to hunger, poverty, fear, and hate. He longs for a world where hope and faith reign, and love prevails.
The old man goes outside and climbs up on his sleigh, calling out to his reindeer as they take off into the night sky. He strives to make millions of dreams come true for children all around the world, yet he still hopes that his own dreams will come true, too. Ultimately, the song highlights the importance of spreading love and kindness during the holiday season.
The lyrics of the song hold significant meaning because they showcase the true spirit of Christmas, which is all about spreading joy, love, and happiness to others. The song encourages listeners to feel compassionate towards others, especially those who may be struggling during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
At an antique desk
The old man is situated at a vintage table.
An old man sits alone
The man of elderly age is by himself and unaccompanied.
It's Christmas Eve
The time is close to Christmas Day.
And it's almost time to go
The man knows that his time is running out.
He signs his name to a letter he just wrote
The man adds his signature to a fresh piece of correspondence that he composed.
Then he reads it back with a voice as soft as snow
He utters the written words in a gentle tone of voice.
[Chorus]
The main refrain of the song.
I want peace on earth for Christmas
The man desires tranquility to encompass the planet during the holiday season.
In a world where there's not one hungry child
He envisions a global existence in which no youngster experiences hunger or malnutrition.
They would hope and faith
The man has an expectation that individuals worldwide will have a sense of optimism and trust in something greater.
Conquers fear and hate
He trusts that the power of hope and faith can vanquish any emotional or ideological hostilities.
All I'm asking for is a little more love
The man beseeches for a greater quantity of compassion and affection to be shared amongst human beings.
Then he walks outside
The man moves toward an exterior location.
And he climbs up on his sleigh
He ascends onto a vehicle pulled by reindeer.
And calls out to his reindeer
He summons the creatures that will transport him.
Off they fly away
The flying animals soar through the air with him aboard their conveyance.
Oh tonight he'll make a million dreams appear
The artist is insinuating that the old man may be Santa Claus, a figure famous for granting wishes and presents to children.
While he wishes that his own dreams would come true this year
The man also possesses his own individual aspirations that may go unfulfilled.
[Chorus]
The main refrain of the song.
That they would hope and faith
The expectation that everyone would possess these feelings.
Conquers fear and hate
The idea that hope and faith are instrumental in overcoming negativity.
All I'm asking for is a little more love
A continued request for more compassion and tenderness in society.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN RICHARD GREENEBAUM, GENE NELSON, PAUL NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind