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.
Climb That Mountain High
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've had enough of this desert to last from now until
I'm tired of living day-to-day and hand-to-mouth
This could be the day I finally find my way out
[Chorus]
I'm gonna climb that mountain high
I'm gonna see what's on the other side
I'm gonna climb that mountain
How I arrived here, heaven only knows
Seems more like the kind of place the devil would've chose
To spend my life here, is more than I can do
I know somewhere down the road my dream will come true
[Chorus]
If I stay here forever
What will I have to show
But if I make it over
Then everyone will know
I'm gonna climb that mountain high
[Chorus]
In the song "Climb That Mountain High," Reba McEntire tells a story of hope and determination. The opening lines of the song describe a red sun rising over the desert, setting the stage for a poignant tale of someone who is tired of living hand-to-mouth and day-to-day. This person has had enough of their surroundings and wants to leave it all behind. They know there must be more to life than what they have experienced thus far, and they are ready to climb that mountain high and see what lies beyond. The chorus is an inspiring message of determination and hope, a promise to leave everything behind and start anew.
The verses further explain the character's story, detailing how they arrived in their present situation and how challenging it has been to stay there. Out of desperation, this person wants to leave and go somewhere better, to climb that mountain high and find a new beginning. The song captures the feeling of being trapped, of longing to escape to something better, and the hope that a brighter future is possible.
With its powerful and inspiring lyrics, "Climb That Mountain High" became one of Reba McEntire's most popular and beloved songs. It is a testament to the human spirit's resilience, determination, and the desire to overcome adversity and reach for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Red sun a-rising, over the hill
The beginning of a new day is starting and it's time to move on.
I've had enough of this desert to last from now until
I am tired of this barren and unchanging place and I need to leave.
I'm tired of living day-to-day and hand-to-mouth
I am sick of constantly struggling and barely getting by.
This could be the day I finally find my way out
Today might be the day where I finally escape and have a better life.
I'm gonna climb that mountain high
I am determined to overcome any obstacles and reach my goals.
I'm gonna see what's on the other side
I am curious and excited to explore new possibilities and opportunities.
I'm gonna kiss this town good-bye
I am ready to leave the past behind and start fresh.
How I arrived here, heaven only knows
I don't know how I ended up in this situation, but it's time for a change.
Seems more like the kind of place the devil would've chose
This feels like a terrible and oppressive place, almost like it was designed to make me suffer.
To spend my life here, is more than I can do
I cannot bear to spend any more time in this place and need to leave.
I know somewhere down the road my dream will come true
I have hope that someday I will achieve my dreams if I keep striving towards them.
If I stay here forever
If I remain in this place indefinitely,
What will I have to show
What will I have accomplished or have as a result of staying here?
But if I make it over
If I successfully leave and move on,
Then everyone will know
Others will be aware of my success and the positive changes I've made in my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: REBA MCENTIRE, DON SCHLITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@auksesalkauskaite1707
Red sun a-rising, over the hill
I've had enough of this desert to last from now until
I'm tired of living day-to-day and hand-to-mouth
This could be the day I finally find my way out
I'm gonna climb that mountain high
I'm gonna see what's on the other side
I'm gonna kiss this town good-bye
I'm gonna climb that mountain
How I arrived here, heaven only knows
Seems more like the kind of place the devil would've chose
To spend my life here, is more than I can do
I know somewhere down the road my dream will come true
If I stay here forever
What will I have to show
But if I make it over
Then everyone will know
I'm gonna climb that mountain high
I'm gonna climb that mountain high
I'm gonna see what's on the other side
I'm gonna kiss this town good-bye
I'm gonna climb that mountain
@ElizA-ne6rv
This is a very underrated song of Reba
@sitcomsguy1983
low key might be one of her best tracks, I can't believe we don't have all kinds of cover versions on YouTube
@rebajune8775
This song is about moving forward when you get past what's trying to keep you down
@chrystapolitte3163
It's an encouraging song. Thanks Reba!
@rebekahlewis5516
Reba you are my idol! Always have been! I love this song, you are an inspiration!!! 💖💖 one day I’ll see you in concert!
@wendyramirez8745
Yes this is another good song from Reba ❣️🎤🎶yes I want to climb 🧗♀️ that mountain high and I definitely want to see what’s on the other side I want to move forward in my life ❣️and enjoy what is out there for me love❤️ with no excuses and live with no regrets ❣️🎶
@auksesalkauskaite1707
Red sun a-rising, over the hill
I've had enough of this desert to last from now until
I'm tired of living day-to-day and hand-to-mouth
This could be the day I finally find my way out
I'm gonna climb that mountain high
I'm gonna see what's on the other side
I'm gonna kiss this town good-bye
I'm gonna climb that mountain
How I arrived here, heaven only knows
Seems more like the kind of place the devil would've chose
To spend my life here, is more than I can do
I know somewhere down the road my dream will come true
If I stay here forever
What will I have to show
But if I make it over
Then everyone will know
I'm gonna climb that mountain high
I'm gonna climb that mountain high
I'm gonna see what's on the other side
I'm gonna kiss this town good-bye
I'm gonna climb that mountain
@lindaburns5817
Wow, beautiful!!! ⚘💜🙏🎶♥️🌹🌷🙂💐💋🎤🦋
@michaelelliott1394
Reba you'll a blessing 🙏 to me with your beautiful music 🎶 you keep me going In my life I really appreciate it 🌹🌹🌹💖🤟🙏
@tammiefields5934
I'll keep moving forward, thank you Reba