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.
All Dressed Up
Reba McEntire Lyrics
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At the Oaks Retirement Home
But mostly, no one comes 'cept on the weekends
Ruby Wilson lives in 303
Where she spends most her time
But it's almost noon on Sunday
And she's been sitting in the lobby since nine
She's all dressed up
Watching and waiting, but nobody comes
Some days sure are lonely days
And time can move so slow
When you're all dressed up
With nowhere to go
As Ruby watches all the others
Leaving with their families
The nurse tells her, it's time to come to dinner
She says she's expecting company
They're just running late
But, the nurse knows the truth too well
She just sighs and walks away
She's all dressed up in her best hat and gloves
She's all dressed up
Watching and waiting, but nobody comes
Some days sure are lonely days
And time can move so slow
When you're all dressed up
With nowhere to go
Reba McEntire's song "All Dressed Up" is a touching ballad about an elderly woman named Ruby Wilson who resides in the Oaks Retirement Home and her experience with loneliness. The sign at the entrance of the retirement home says "families welcome," yet there is no one there to visit Ruby except on the weekends. It's almost noon on Sunday, and she has been sitting in the lobby for hours, waiting for someone to come to see her. Despite wearing her finest hat and gloves, nobody comes to visit.
The lyrics illustrate the frustration and pain that can come with aging, particularly the feelings of isolation and abandonment that occur when friends and family members are no longer around. The desperation of Ruby's situation is emphasized in the line, "Some days sure are lonely days, and time can move so slow / When you're all dressed up with nowhere to go." This line demonstrates how even though Ruby is surrounded by other residents, she still feels alone and like there is nowhere to turn.
The song's melancholy tune and heartfelt lyrics portray the need for compassion and empathy towards the elderly. It serves as a poignant reminder to everyone to take the time to check up on the loved ones in their lives and to show them that they are valued and not alone.
Line by Line Meaning
The sign says, "families welcome"
At the Oaks Retirement Home
Everyone at the Oaks Retirement Home is welcome to have their families come and visit according to the sign.
But mostly, no one comes 'cept on the weekends
Ruby Wilson lives in 303
Where she spends most her time
But it's almost noon on Sunday
And she's been sitting in the lobby since nine
Unfortunately, visitors only turn up on weekends and Ruby Wilson who occupies room 303 is often left alone in the lobby for an extended period of time.
She's all dressed up in her best hat and gloves
She's all dressed up
Watching and waiting, but nobody comes
Some days sure are lonely days
And time can move so slow
When you're all dressed up
With nowhere to go
Ruby Wilson remains optimistic despite being left alone and keeps dressing up, expecting visitors but none turn up. Some days can be depressing in such situations as time seems to move extremely slow with no company to pass the time.
As Ruby watches all the others
Leaving with their families
The nurse tells her, it's time to come to dinner
She says she's expecting company
They're just running late
But, the nurse knows the truth too well
She just sighs and walks away
Ruby Wilson is always hopeful, especially when she watches others leaving with their families. The nurse prompts her to join for dinner, but she convinces herself she is still expecting her company, although the nurse knows the real situation and decides to give her space.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BIFF FINK, LISA PALAS, IRA ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind