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.
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Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't pretend things just got outta' hand
I should'a kept my distance
While I was still strong
But I got caught up in the feelin'
Carried along and it's
Too late baby
I can't stop now
Well I walked right in with my eyes wide open (I did)
And I was blind when you told me
You'd be mine just as soon as you were free
I should have kept my distance
While I was still strong
But I got caught up in the feelin'
Carried along and it's
Too late baby
I can't stop now
Can't stop now
Crazy heart's runnin' outta control
Can't stop now
And I'll be falling apart somewhere down the road
I might be headed for a breakdown
But I can't stop now
The lyrics to Reba McEntire's song "Can't Stop Now" are about a person who knowingly entered into a relationship that they knew was wrong for them. They can't pretend that things just got out of hand because they were aware that they should have kept their distance while they were still strong. However, they allowed themselves to become caught up in the feelings of the relationship and now it's too late to turn back. The person feels like they're headed towards a breakdown, but they can't stop now.
The first verse describes the person's awareness of the situation, but their inability to stop themselves from getting caught up in the moment. They knew what they were doing, but they were too weak to resist. The second verse describes how the person was initially aware of the red flags in their partner's behavior, but they ignored them. They walked right into the relationship with their eyes wide open, but became blind to the truth when their partner promised to be with them as soon as they were free. The person admits they should've kept their distance while they were still strong, but their emotions got the best of them.
The chorus emphasizes the person's lack of control over their own heart. Their crazy heart is running out of control, and they know they're headed towards a breakdown, but they feel powerless to stop it. The final line of the chorus repeats the title of the song - "I can't stop now" - to further emphasize the person's lack of control over their own actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't say I didn't know what I was doin'
I acknowledge that I made a conscious decision to engage in this action, fully aware of its potential consequences.
I can't pretend things just got outta' hand
I cannot deny my responsibility for the situation, as it was not a result of unforeseeable circumstances.
I should'a kept my distance
It would have been wise for me to maintain a safe distance from this situation, in regards to my emotional well-being.
While I was still strong
During a period of strength, before vulnerability and emotional compromise set in.
But I got caught up in the feelin'
I became emotionally invested and enamored with the situation, allowing it to consume and dictate my actions.
Carried along and it's
Swept away and guided by external factors that I may have underestimated or failed to recognize.
Too late baby
The point of no return has already been reached, and there's no way to reverse or alter the outcomes of my actions.
Well I walked right in with my eyes wide open (I did)
I wilfully entered the situation without reservations, with a clear view of what lay ahead.
And I was blind when you told me
Despite my supposed awareness and vigilance, I was unable to detect and preempt the deceit and manipulation of others.
You'd be mine just as soon as you were free
I was enticed by a false promise of love and commitment, leading me to overlook warning signs and doubts.
Can't stop now
The momentum of the situation is too great, and any attempt to halt or backpedal would be futile.
Crazy heart's runnin' outta control
My emotions and desires have taken over, leaving me in a state of instability and unpredictability.
And I'll be falling apart somewhere down the road
The eventual consequences and fallout of my actions are uncertain, but there will inevitably be negative repercussions.
I might be headed for a breakdown
The emotional toll of the situation is becoming too much to bear, and I may be approaching a point of emotional collapse.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY NICHOLSON, WENDY WALDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Crys Cameron
I love Reba!
Rainy Day Diva
Reba and her music are timeless. She’s one classy lady. ❤️
Rainy Day Diva
@Elaine R Oh yes, me too. The comedy between Reba & Barbara Jean can not be matched, not even by Lucy & Ethel, just my own humble opinion. 😊
Elaine R
I wish they would do a reunion of her TV show. Such comaraderie with all the cast members!
In Depth And Detailed
I love reba. Queen of country. I listen to her anytime I feel blue
Maddie Waynes
Hello Brandon
Daniel White
Love the older country, keep it up reba you are rocking the music
Reba Nell McEntire
seven, zero, eight, five, two, nine, nine, five, zero, four
Reba Nell McEntire
thanks for supporting my music, I'm so grateful and i hope you never stop being a great fan, I would love to honor you by giving out my personal information ❤️
Maddie Waynes
Hello Daniel