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.
Cathy's Clown
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want your kisses that's for sure
I die each time
I hear the sound
They're saying here he comes
He's Cathy's clown
You know you've got to stand tall
And when you let her tell you lies
And you let em pass you by
You're not a man at all
She don't want your loving anymore
She don't want your kisses that's for sure
Why do you let them put you down
And let em call you Cathy's clown
When you see me shed a tear
Then you know that I'm sincere
I just think it's kinda sad
That she's treating you so bad
And I'm the one who cares
I want your loving more and more
I want your kisses that's for sure
I die each time
I hear the sound
They're saying here he comes
He's Cathy's clown
You're Cathy's clown
You're Cathy's clown
The lyrics to Reba McEntire's song Cathy's Clown tell the story of a woman who is no longer interested in the love and affection of the man singing. The man wants more of her love and kisses, and every time he hears people talking about him being 'Cathy's Clown', he dies inside. He says that a man cannot crawl, he has to stand tall, but when he lets her lies pass him by, he is not a man at all.
The chorus repeats that the man wants the woman's love and kisses more and more, but she doesn't want him anymore. The last verse is the man feeling sad that the woman is treating him so poorly, shedding a tear and showing his sincerity. He wants more of her love and kisses, but he knows he is seen as Cathy's Clown.
The song seems to be about unrequited love, a person who wants more from a love interest who is no longer interested in them. The chorus repeats and creates a sense of yearning and longing, while the verses talk about standing up for oneself and caring for the feelings of others. It's a poignant song that speaks to the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I want your loving more and more
I desire your love increasingly and overwhelmingly
I want your kisses that's for sure
I definitely want your kisses
I die each time
I feel devastated every time
I hear the sound
I hear people talking
They're saying here he comes
They're saying that you're coming
He's Cathy's clown
He's the one who is made fun of and exploited in his relationship
You know you've got to stand tall
You should be strong and get up on your feet
You know a man can't crawl
A man should not act submissive or weak
And when you let her tell you lies
And when you accept her deceitful words
And you let em pass you by
And you let the lies go without confronting them
You're not a man at all
You're not being true to yourself and your masculinity
She don't want your loving anymore
She no longer desires your love
She don't want your kisses that's for sure
She definitely doesn't want your kisses anymore
Why do you let them put you down
Why do you allow them to belittle you
And let em call you Cathy's clown
And let them mock you and call you the fool in the relationship
When you see me shed a tear
When you witness me cry
Then you know that I'm sincere
Then you can be sure of my genuine concern
I just think it's kinda sad
I feel sorry about the situation
That she's treating you so bad
That she's harming and mistreating you
And I'm the one who cares
And I'm the one who genuinely worries about you
You're Cathy's clown
You're the one who's been made a fool of in your relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Donald I Everly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jelynix
I remember listening to this song over and over and over as a kid! Reba’s music has been in my life all my life. She’s like family! Love her!
Parker William
jelynix Yes yes I agree with you😊😊am glad you love the song as much as I do too,but when last did you play the song??
Heather
I'm not even a country music fan but I can't get enough of Reba McEntire's talent.
outspokengirl
This is my mom's song!!!! She'd listen to it all the time when I was growing up. I found it a few days ago, and was like "Remember this?" It was good to see her smile!
Parker William
outspokengirl Yes yes I agree with you😊😊am glad you love the song as much as I do too,but when last did you play the song??
Mary Chandler
Cathy's Clown was the 1st song I heard on the radio when I got my hearing aids. My husband watch me and saw the tears fall and he knew right then and there the only thing I was missing was listening to music. I wanted to hear and hearing Reba McEntire sing this song was the best thing. I know Reba McEntire is one the best recording artist to ever sing, this why she is so special to me. Thank you reba for being there to sing this song.
mimax bigbuck
awe power of love nd music.
Mary Gordon
+amanda buck who would ever devorce her for looking too old. Somome did and that is his loss.
Don Buck
Mary Chandler That is awesome. Mary. I have seen her live 13 times and hope to do it many more.
bob bot
little over doing it there chief. I mean you see them maybe four times. You might be over obsessed fan.